CRYSTAL PALACE had the wind taken out of their sails on the banks of the Thames.
Jeffrey Schlupp’s stunning goal was only enough to grab a point after they failed to cash in on a series of first half chances.
And it means the Eagles’ impressive three game winning run came to an end as they needed an equaliser three minutes from the end of normal time to avoid defeat.
Fulham went ahead early in the second half against the run of play when Rodrigo Muniz pounced to score after a dismal first half performance.
Palace should have had an away win in a passionate London derby well wrapped up by then.
Fulham also squandered opportunities as they fought back after the break in a clash of two teams heading firmly for mid-table.
Palace rocked up at Craven Cottage having been reinvented by new boss Oliver Glasner in recent weeks.
Three victories on the bounce included one at Liverpool – and also in style with exciting, flamboyant football. London’s prettiest ground was the perfect setting.
But without the skills of crocked Eberechi Eze they struggled to find the clinical edge to their attractive football.
Three times in the first quarter of an hour they came close to taking the lead against their slumbering hosts. And that does not include a half decent penalty shout.
Michael Olise missed a sitter from the edge of the box when bearing down on goal. In-form Jean Phillippe-Mateta should have done much better with a low cross from Daniel Munoz.
Closest of all came centre half Chris Richards who headed powerfully just over the bar from a Jordan Ayew free kick into the six yard box.
Fulham were under the cosh until late in the first half when Muniz had a shot deflected wide by Palace keeper Dean Henderson and saw Issa Diop head over from the follow up corner.
But so much revolves around taking chances and Fulham proved that bit more efficient.
Seven minutes into the second half Palace’s counter attack was broken down and Andreas Perreira slipped the ball from the middle to Timothy Castagne pouring down the right flank.
His sweeping cross into the six yard box was met by a bullet header from point blank range by Muniz and the Brazilian could not miss this time.
Perreira was the driving force behind Fulham’s next attack on goal when he curled a ball into the box with the outside of his boot with Bobby De Cordova Reid in the clear. But the winger let the ball drift too far wide and shot into the stands.
Palace boss Glasner went for the change by swapping strikers with Odsonne Edouard coming on for Jean Phillippe Mateta and almost scoring with his first touch.
They could have had another in the 76th minute when skipper Harrison Reed bent a long range shot wide as Fulham’s second half mirrored Palace’s first.
But the home side paid the price for failing to take their raft of chances when sub Jeff Schlupp grabbed a late point for Palace with an absolute corker..
The midfielder had been largely anonymous since coming on with 14 minutes to go, replacing Ayew.
But he certainly stood out and sent the visiting fans into raptures by picking up a short pass from Adam Wharton and unleashing an unstoppable, rising shot from 20 yards into the top corner right in front of the away end.
There was also a late scare for wobbling Fulham when Diop’s attempted hoofed clearance inside his own area cannoned back off lurking Edouard, looping over Fulham keeper Bernd Leno and nestling in the top netting.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
