Fulham cheered by David’s late equaliser

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Fulham 2 Crystal Palace 2

Relegated Fulham at least ended their awful season on a high note, with substitute Chris David’s brilliant injury-time goal sparing them another defeat.

Crystal Palace went ahead when Joel Ward’s 28th-minute shot was diverted past David Stockdale by Eagles striker Dwight Gayle, who restored their lead with a free-kick after teenage forward Cauley Woodrow had scored his first goal for Fulham.

After a miserable campaign, the progress of their youngsters is a definite plus for Fulham, and Woodrow’s goal and all-round display suggested he could be one to watch in the Championship next term.

And David looked lively before opening his Fulham account in style.

Cauley Woodrow of Fulham
Youngster Woodrow impressed up front and took his goal well

Felix’s Magath’s team struggled to get going in the first half and weren’t helped by having to make a change on 23 minutes, when Alex Kacaniklic was replaced by David after feeling the full force of a crude challenge by Marouane Chamakh.

The Whites nevertheless had chances before and after going behind.

Kacaniklic had an early effort saved by keeper Wayne Hennessy and Hugo Rodallega could have put the home side ahead but failed to connect with David’s left-wing cross.

At the other end, Stockdale denied Yannick Bolasie shortly before Gayle broke the deadlock, and the Whites keeper then prevented Palace scoring a second by diving to his right to push away Scott Dann’s header.

Fernando Amorebieta had a far-post header saved by Hennessy four minutes before the interval and Fulham were much sharper after the restart.

An unchallenged Rodallega missed a great chance to level, heading against the outside of the post, but atoned by playing a key role in Woodrow’s goal, holding the ball up and finding the 19-year-old, who cleverly stepped inside Adrian Mariappa and fired into the far corner.

After Gayle hit back for Palace, Glenn Murray could have made it 3-1 but hit the bar before David netted.

Fulham (4-4-1-1): Stockdale, Zverotic (Dejagah 49), Heitinga, Hangeland, Amorebieta, Kacaniklic (David 22), Sidwell, Parker, Richardson (Tunnicliffe 79), Rodallega, Woodrow.
Subs not used: Kasami, Mitroglou, Joronen, Williams.

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