The Tanner Report: Crystal Palace 0 Fulham 3
In season 2018-19, after Fulham were promoted to the Premier, we met Crystal Palace at home and were well beaten 2-0.
It proved a wake-up call as we were eventually relegated and Palace – a middle of the table side at best then – beat us comfortably.
Under Roy Hodgson they established themselves in the top flight but his style was considered dull by fans and Patrick Vieira took over. He made some fine signings – not least our Joachim Andersen – and Conor Gallagher, on loan from Chelsea, and they looked more of an upwardly mobile team.
So Fulham’s 3-0 victory at Selhurst Park yesterday was significant and entirely well-deserved.
Palace fans cannot blame it on the two red cards that reduced them to nine men as Fulham dominated from the first minute.
There is always the concern – when one of your greatest players in George Cohen passes – that the sadness will hang like a shroud. Although he was properly respected before the kick off, the performance did not disappoint.
After another immediate relegation in 202o-21 we are entitled to ask the question what is now the difference?
In two words – Marco Silva, who kept the core of the promotion side intact but strengthened it with the signings of Bernd Leno, Andreas Pereira and, above all, Paulinha.
Bobby DeCordova Reid and especially Tim Ream do not look out of their depth.
Fulham look what we are – a top ten team.
One who did not look up to a Premier standard was Tosin, a central defender acquired from Manchester City. So Diop – bought from West Ham – was selected in his place.
At first he looked both frightened of the ball and panicky on it, but he has settled in alongside the calm Ream to make the defence more redoubtable.
Both full backs – Kenny Tete and Antonee Robinson,who had a fine World Cup for USA – have not had such difficulties in adapting to the higher level.
John Pargiter called pre-match. He was going to bet against Palace at evens. He messaged me that, with the score Fulham 2, nine men Palace nil, the odds were now 1000-1 on a home side victory. He was as satisfied as I was with our win!
