Kasami’s stunner lights up Fulham victory

Crystal Palace 1 Fulham 4

Pajtim Kasami scored a truly sensational goal in a resounding victory for Fulham.

The Whites went behind to Adrian Mariappa’s early opener before Kasami’s moment of magic and Steve Sidwell’s strike – a great goal in its own right – put them ahead at the break.

And second-half goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Philippe Senderos capped Fulham’s second win in as many matches.

Still under some pressure following a recent five-match run without a win, the result is a major boost for manager Martin Jol.

It was also the first time in nine years Fulham have scored four goals away from home in the league – and only the fifth time they have done so in their top-flight history.

With club owner Shahid Khan watching on at Selhurst Park, it looked ominous for Jol when Brede Hangeland – who was replaced by Fernando Amorebieta at half-time – allowed Mariappa to climb above him and head in Jason Puncheon’s seventh-minute cross.

Palace continued to have the upper hand until Kasami’s goal-of-the-season contender hauled Fulham level against the run of play.

Sascha Riether lofted a long ball forward and, while on the move, Kasami controlled on his chest near the right-hand edge of the penalty area and sent a brilliant volley over Julian Speroni and into the far corner.

And Sidwell hit the same part of the net in first-half injury time with a sizzling 25-yard volley after Bryan Ruiz’s free-kick had been charged down.

Darren Bent, who snubbed Crystal Palace in favour of a move to west London, had a chance to double the lead three minutes after the interval.

The striker was teed up by Berbatov following a scuffed clearance from Speroni, who atoned by denying Bent at point-blank range.

However, from the resulting corner by Ruiz, Berbatov got in front of Mariappa and headed home the third.

And another Ruiz corner led to the fourth, Senderos’ far-post volley going through Speroni’s legs and over the line before the Palace keeper could claw the ball away.

After Palace’s Dwight Gayle had a goal ruled out for offside, Kasami almost made it five.

Berbatov’s pass found him in space and was met with a skilful first-time effort with the outside of the Swiss midfielder’s boot, but Speroni was able to push it away.

Fulham (4-4-2): Stekelenburg; Riether, Senderos (Amorebieta 45), Hangeland, Richardson; Ruiz, Sidwell, Parker, Kasami; Berbatov (Rodallega 89), Bent (Duff 77).
Subs not used: Stockdale, Karagounis, Zverotic, Boateng.

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