Crystal Palace secured their first victory of the 2026/27 Premier League season on September 5, overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage. Substitute Ben Chilwell scored the decisive 76th-minute winner on his debut, capping a dramatic second-half comeback that left the hosts winless after three matches.
Crystal Palace travel to Craven Cottage to face Álvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham
Crystal Palace traveled to Craven Cottage to face Álvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham, who like Palace, were yet to win this season. Pierre Sage’s side continued their search for not only their first points of the season, but also their first goal from open play too.
Tactical Ambition and First-Half Chaos for Manager Álvaro Arbeloa
The afternoon began with Fulham asserting dominance through possession. Josh King opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and Palacios restored Fulham’s two-goal cushion in the 41st minute. Palace did manage to pull one back through Tyrick Mitchell, who struck in the 34th minute, but at halftime the scoreboard read 2-1 in favor of the Cottagers.
Fulham put up a real fight against Chelsea in their opening game, and were unfortunate to lose 1-0 away to Sunderland. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side have had the confidence booster of a League Cup early round win against AFC Wimbledon, where the Whites ran out 3-0 winners. Fulham and Crystal Palace met with both teams looking to secure their first Premier League wins of the season. Álvaro Arbeloa’s Cottagers lost a thriller 3-2 to Chelsea on the opening Monday Night Football before suffering a lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last week.
Like Fulham, this summer marked a transition period and a new era for the Eagles. Oliver Glasner, who guided Palace to FA Cup, Community Shield and Europa Conference League glory, departed after two years and was replaced by former RC Lens manager Pierre Sage. There have also been significant changes to the playing squad, with the departure of first-team regulars Maxence Lacroix, Brennan Johnson and Daniel Muñoz, alongside squad players such as Nathaniel Clyne and Justin Devenny. Starting the season with a 2-0 defeat at Everton, Palace’s first home game of this new era began with a demoralising 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Tyrick Mitchell Sparks the Comeback Before Injury
Tyrick Mitchell bagged his second of the match in the 53rd minute to drag Palace level at 2-2. Mitchell was then forced off with an injury in the 73rd minute, just three minutes before the moment that would define the match.
Ben Chilwell scores the decisive 76th-minute winner on his debut
Ben Chilwell, who signed permanently for Palace on September 1 on a free transfer from Strasbourg, found the net in the 76th minute to complete a second-half comeback that had seemed unlikely at halftime. Ben Chilwell, who had previously spent time on loan at Crystal Palace during the 2024/25 season — contributing 11 appearances to the club’s FA Cup triumph — was no stranger to the club.
78′ 2-3 GOOOALLL PALACEEE Ben Chilwell makes it 2-3 to Palace with a superb finish. Pino passes superbly to Strand Larsen, his hold up and link up play with Khalaili is excellent and the latter is played in behind where his shot is blocked, but falls to Chilwell.
Reactions and Historical Implications at Craven Cottage
Fulham’s Josh King has scored two goals across his three Premier League games this season, after netting just once in his previous 40 for Fulham. Fulham have lost each of their first three games of a top-flight campaign for the just the third time, also doing so in 1951-52 and 2020-21 – suffering relegation on both those occasions.
Alvaro Arbeloa speaking to BBC Match of the Day: Alvaro Arbeloa stated to the BBC Match of the Day that he felt his side did not deserve to lose the match, adding that his players gave their all with a good attitude and bravery while creating numerous chances to score more, though he acknowledged that Crystal Palace took their opportunities and noted that football ultimately comes down to that.
Alvaro Arbeloa speaking to BBC Match of the Day
Manager Alvaro Arbeloa remarked that they were very unfortunate with the second Palace goal and had many chances throughout the match, while highlighting the strong effort from Gonzalo Garcia as the exact spirit and character he expects from his players—exemplified by a striker sprinting back to try and save a goal—and expressing confidence that if they continue to play in that manner, victories will follow.
He further added that although they did many things right to win the game, echoing a similar performance against Chelsea that also ended in defeat, and acknowledged that it is a difficult situation and moment for the players, he emphasized how proud he is of them.
Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia both had a great game, Cesar scored a goal, and for Gonzalo another great performance.
Palace managed the closing minutes under intense pressure. 90+3′ 2-3 Chance for Fulham but Henderson dives onto the ball, Palace defending really well here. 90′ 2-3 Four minutes added on at the end. Squeaky bum time. 89′ 2-3 Darío Osorio and Óscar Mingueza are on for Yéremy Pino and Daichi Kamada. 88′ 2-3 CLOSE! Fulham come within inches of the equaliser with a strike through Muniz. 86′ 2-3 WHAT A SAVE! Henderson makes a superb stop to deny Ryan Sessegnon, and the rebounded effort slams into the side netting!
