A moment of magic from substitute Michy Batshuayi set up Crystal Palace’s second goal for Jeffrey Schlupp in the 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday.
Fulham thus became the first side in top-flight history to lose eight successive London derbies.
The Belgian striker only signed on loan in midweek but made an immediate impact within minutes of coming off the bench late on.
He turned sharply to fire a shot which Fulham goalkeeper Sergio Rico could only parry to Schlupp.
The day had begun badly for Claudio Ranieri’s side when Cyrus Christie needlessly handled the ball in the area as he challenged Christian Benteke on 25 minutes.
Luka Milivojevic duly put away the penalty kick, which was only Crystal Palace’s seventh home goal of the season.
They almost got another moments later, when Benteke’s scissor kick thundered off the crossbar.
Fulham’s Rico was by far the busier goalkeeper and did well to beat away a deflected shot off Denis Odoi as Palace made light of suspended winger Wilfried Zaha’s absence.
Fulham remain the only EPL side without an away win this season and are now seven points adrift of 17th-placed Burnley.
Elsewhere, Burnley converted a stoppage time penalty kick through Ashley Barnes to earn a 1-1 draw with Southampton at Turf Moor in the EPL on Saturday.
A superb 55th minute strike from Nathan Redmond had given Southampton the lead before the late drama.
With the clock running down, Ashley Westwood lofted a cross towards Burnley’s new signing, substitute Peter Crouch, and Saints defender Jack Stephens rose and appeared to handle.
Burnley had not been given a penalty kick in their previous 67 league games, but Barnes kept his cool and slotted past Alex McCarthy to extend the home side’s unbeaten run to six games.
Southampton, revitalised under Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, are unbeaten in five and have now claimed eight points from a possible 12 in their last four away matches.
Burnley will consider the penalty kick just reward after their strong appeal for a spot kick was rejected in the 33rd minute when Barnes went down under challenge from McCarthy.
Redmond’s opener was a fine solo effort, the midfielder picking the ball up deep, running at the defence and beating goalkeeper Tom Heaton with a low drive into the bottom corner.
The introduction of 38-year-old debutant Crouch in the 76th minute caused some chaos in the Saints defence.
Barnes smashed a volley against the bar before he scored from the penalty kick spot.
Reuters/NAN.
Trending
- How FRSC reduced Road Traffic Crashes by 42% – Corps Marshal
- FCCPC uncovers prices in Yen as it grills Chinese supermarket owners + Photos
- Reporters detained for airing music, taking calls from girls
- German police arrest 11 Nigerians laundering money made from dating scam
- Fernandes digs Man U out of hole in win over Sheff United
- Akintoye to Afenifere: Yoruba wants self-determination, not restructuring
- Naira loses 0.64% against dollar at official market
- Re-examining Patriarchy, Faith: Domestic violence, faith integration in Nigeria, by Michael Olatunbosun