Player Ratings: Fulham 1-1 Crystal Palace

With Palace in scintillating form of late, and Fulham struggling to find consistency in their results, this was a matchup that would certainly end up last on Match of the Day with both teams playing for pride in the bottom half of the Premier League.

A draw seemed like a fair result when the final whistle went after a strong start from The Eagles faded out as the mighty whites grew into the match, but how did the players fair? Stephen Sheldrake explores the highs and lows of Fulham’s selected squad for the day.

Bernd Leno
Producing three excellent saves as well as an impressive early sweep following Diop’s dispossession on the ball, Leno had a really solid outing today and was undone by what has to be put down as a truly remarkable finish from Schlupp. Calm, composed and collected, he came to claim the ball and ease the pressure off the defence to back up his shot-stopping. I feel bad for Rodak who I feel will move onto pastures new next season, but with a keeper like this he’s simply undroppable. 7/10

Timothy Castagne
A real mixed bag of a performance for old chestnuts, in the initial phase of the game he struggled to deal with the palace press, and there were several wayward passes into the middle of the pitch that piled on the pressure. However his risk-taking nature and the offensive runs he makes add another dimension to our wing play and that was epitomised in the moment his perfectly looped cross found our magic man Muniz for the opener. He raised his game as it progressed to produce an overall strong performance that increased his assist tally to three in the premier league this season, all coming in this calendar year. 7/10

Calvin Bassey 
Another firm display from our Nigerian Centre Half, Bassey offered crucial on the ball ability alongside his new partner for the day, and provided much needed relief in possession. He switched off for a moment early on when Olise was found in acres of space and carved out a chance that uncharacteristically was fired the wrong side of the post. A textbook outing for Calvin today showing strength, speed and resolve in key moments. 6.5/10

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Issa Diop 
After the all-but-confirmed rumours that Tosin has decided not to extend his contract at the club, I feel Marco made the right decision dropping him, particularly based on recent performance levels. Issa is probably the best defender off the ball, and the worst on it, as was seen early on when he was caught overplaying and dispossessed, saved by Leno’s heroic reading of the situation. Having said that, after the press died down Issa really grew into the game, making two crucial goalbound blocks back-to-back in the second half, and even producing a dangerous header from a corner in the first. Whilst his fairly respectable successful pass rate of 86% shows improvement, some of the options he took were very reserved and risk-averse in times where he could have progressed the play. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him and hopefully a little run in the team can build his confidence. 6.5/10

Antonee Robinson
Ever athletic as always, Antonee showed us why he is one of the hardest working paciest left backs in the league. He did a good job of keeping Olise quiet. There are still questionable moments in his game though when it comes to his decision-making. After impressively winning possession in the second half he proceeded to dribble and pass back towards goal, the limp effort across our own box finding Palace’s striker, another key moment we got away with that was completely unnecessary. 6/10

Joao Palhinha 
Seems to be stuck on average form at the moment compared to the expectations and bar we’ve raised for him. Having said that, despite a performance that slides under the radar today, he still managed to carve out four out of five successful tackles and his chipped pass to split the Eagles defence and set up Muniz for a close attempt on goal was a moment of brilliance. With summer looming and the new contract he recently signed, I do feel his chances of staying at Fulham are increasing which is what we all hope for. 6.5/10

Harrison Reed 
I might divide opinions a little here, but Harrison Reed was my man of the match today. It was a textbook performance from our central midfielder who was tenacious at chasing down our opponents, breaking up the play and keeping things flowing in possession with an 86% successful pass rate. One moment I loved was his turn/pass link up play which split the defence and set up Castagne for a cross in a dangerous area. I’m left wondering if Reed remained on the field for the full 90, would Schlupp have had the space that he did to produce that wonderstrike in the middle of the pitch? Great to see him given the captain’s armband. 8/10

Andreas Pereira 
I felt like Andreas had about two touches in the first half and was non-existent which was a shame given his incredible form of late. However he proved pivotal in the opening Fulham goal as he found Castagne out wide to set up the cross, and he also played a wonderful outside-of-the-boot cross to pick out Bobby at the far post who was clumsy with the strike. Good to see him playing the full 90 this time out. 6/10

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Bobby De Cordova-Reid 
I was less than impressed with Bobby’s showing today unfortunately. Whilst he brings a certain energy and consistency to the pitch, in this instance I kept noticing poor passes, dispossession and wasted chances, particularly the aforementioned one where Pereira found him unmarked in good space. He seemed to be lashing at the ball today rather than the composed figure we’re used to seeing, I think this is Wilson’s chance to start the next match. 5.5/10

Rodrigo Muniz 
Another superb performance from our young Brazilian. He drew fouls out of Andersen time and time again which should have been punished with the eventual yellow card he received much earlier on in the game. Did well to break through the Palace defence for a shot on goal at a tight angle following Palhinha’s through ball. After the first half I was worried if his previous form was perhaps a purple patch, as this would have been his fifth match without a goal. I was very happy to be proven wrong as he picked out Castagne’s plump cross with a calm and composed header to leave the keeper with no chance. Keep dancing Muniz. 7.5/10

Alex Iwobi 
One of the most composed players on the ball on the pitch, but his pace leaves a lot to be desired for me and I’m still left wondering if being out on the wing is his best position. Made some good passes to spread the play and keep things flowing but didn’t set the world alight for me today. 6/10

Substitutes

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Willian 68”
Uncharacteristic of Willian, today he didn’t complete any successful take-ons or crosses. I wanted the substitution to happen when it did, but I didn’t feel he wasn’t at the races today. Perhaps his recent injury is still affecting his performance. 5/10

Sasa Lukic 68”
Provided a good bit of pace in the centre of the pitch in place of Palhinha, making some good passes and tackles with his time in the game. 6/10

A triple substitution on the 85th minute saw Tom Cairney, Harry Wilson and Armando Broja enter the field. Not enough time to be noteworthy, however I feel Reed should have stayed on the pitch for the full outing. Broja did particularly well to get involved in the play in the short time he was on, linking up play well out wide and dropping back, he’s clearly keen and just hasn’t had his time to shine yet.

What did you think of the above ratings and team performance? Let us know in the comments!