Sunday Fulham Stuff - 06/09/26...

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Results

Saturday 05/09
Newcastle	2-2	Bournemouth
Brentford	1-1	Sunderland
Brighton	1-1	Leeds
Fulham	2-3	Palace
King Palacios
Man City	1-0	Coventry
Forest	0-0	Spurs
Hull	0-0	Villa

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Fulham 2-3 Crystal Palace
Ben Chilwell scored on his Crystal Palace return as the Eagles came from behind twice to earn a 3-2 win at Fulham.

Chilwell, 29, re-signed for Palace on Tuesday on a free transfer from Strasbourg, having spent the second half of the 2024-25 season there on loan from Chelsea.

Within three minutes of replacing fellow left wing-back Tyrick Mitchell off the bench, who scored Palace's first two goals, Chilwell latched on to a loose ball as Fulham failed to clear an attack from Pierre Sage's side and thumped the ball home.

The Whites had initially gone ahead early in the first half via a deflected effort from teenager Josh King, only to be cancelled out by Mitchell's close-range effort from a tight angle.

Spanish winger Cesar Palacios then opened his Fulham account following his summer move from Real Madrid to give Alvaro Arbeloa's side a lead at the break.

Mitchell equalised for a second time at the start of the second half, pouncing as the hosts made a mess of clearing his initial effort before his intervention trickled in to level the game.

Victory for Palace sees Sage claim his first win as head coach after he replaced Oliver Glasner over the summer.

Meanwhile, Fulham have lost three straight league games since the arrival of ex-Real boss Arbeloa.

Fulham analysis: Arbeloa's tough start magnified with third league defeat
Alongside newly promoted Coventry City, Fulham became the first of two teams to have played three games in the Premier League this season and lost all of them.

On paper, Fulham have not had the easiest set of starting fixtures - at home to Chelsea and then back-to-back meetings with sides that will be in this season's Europa League in Sunderland and Palace.

Like their opening weekend derby defeat by rivals Chelsea, Fulham scored twice but they conceded three goals that were largely avoidable.

And it doesn't get any easier from here. Fulham travel to Anfield next weekend to face Liverpool, then will host Manchester United in their final league game before the international break.

There were some boos and disparaging chants towards Arbeloa at full-time. With three defeats and seven goals conceded from their opening three games, it could easily get worse before it gets better for a side tipped by many to be in danger of going down in the pre-season predictions.

Crystal Palace analysis: Mitchell and Chilwell mask defensive issues
In a week where Palace said goodbye to Daniel Munoz - their former attack-minded right wing-back who has now joined Nottingham Forest - Mitchell and Chilwell showed goals from wing-backs are not disappearing.

All three goals showed intent and endeavour to get forward from deep positions, though Fulham's defence was lacking.

First, Mitchell was put through on goal by Eddie Nketiah. With his options of passing from the left limited by Fulham's Joachim Andersen, Mitchell fancied his chances of beating Bernd Leno at his near post. With a lashed striker that flew in via Leno's torso, Mitchell pulled Palace level.

Scoring for the second time in the space of 19 minutes and his first career double, Mitchell showed further attacking enterprise - more so than he should have been afforded.

His initial effort at the end of his galloping run forward was blocked and while Yeremy Pino's follow-up was cleared by Whites striker Gonzalo Garcia, Mitchell intervened and his block-turned-shot found its way into the net.

Chilwell, replacing Mitchell with under 20 minutes to go, picked up where Mitchell left off. Summer signing Anan Khalaili, starting in place of Munoz on the right, had his shot blocked but Chilwell followed in and converted to earn three points.

Both goalscorers were serenaded by the travelling Palace fans at full-time.

Munoz scored four league goals in each of the past two seasons from right wing-back, and Mitchell and Chilwell have made inroads to fill that attacking void.

But while Palace are scoring goals, they are leaking them at the back. This was the ninth league game in a row where Palace have conceded at least two goals, with Sage unable to stamp out the frailties that crept in at the end of Glasner's tenure.

But after two defeats to start the season, and staring down the barrel of a third at half-time, Palace showed promise at the start of a season that will include Europa League football.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c6zxz89ewxlyt

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Post-Crystal Palace Press Conference
Álvaro Arbeloa thought Fulham were unfortunate to leave Craven Cottage empty handed against Crystal Palace, but acknowledged that improvements are needed at both ends of the pitch.

The Whites had 25 chances to our opponents' 10, but we twice surrendered a lead on our way to a 2-3 loss, with each of their goals coming from the left-wingback.

"I think we lost a game that we didn't deserve to lose," he told the press afterwards. "I think we were the better team on the pitch, but at the end, in football, you need to take your chances, and they did better than us.

"We conceded very easy goals. Crystal Palace didn't need to do so many things to score three goals. For us, we have to do so many things if we want to score a goal.

"We need to control the second balls, and some situations that we are very wide and very open. So, in this area, we need to improve for sure.

"They are easy situations to control, to control that goal that we concede, so it's not something that I am very worried [about], for sure. It was similar to some of Chelsea's goals, and we need to learn so quick, because when you concede a goal, the game could change.

"I think we were brave with the ball, we press so well, so high, we controlled the game, but if you are winning 2-1 at home, you cannot concede some counter-attacks and some situations that when you are winning, you cannot concede."

The result means Fulham are still searching for our first points of the campaign, and even though the fixture list does not look kindly on us in the immediate future, Arbeloa remains confident the tide will turn.

"It's three games, three losses, so it's difficult," he admitted. "And now you are thinking that we have to go to Anfield, Manchester United coming to Craven Cottage, so you can see two very difficult games.

"Also, in the Carabao, we have to go to face West Ham United, so not easy, but we knew that this month was to be a very tough month, but I told my players this month will not define our entire season.

"I think they are working so hard. They are playing, like today, giving everything that they have, and with this mentality and with this character, I am sure that victories will come."

A major positive from Saturday's game was another virtuoso display from Josh King, who opened the scoring and made the second.

All of this was in front of watching England manager Thomas Tuchel, so when asked if he believes the midfielder has a promising future at international level, Arbeloa replied: "Yeah, for sure, for sure. I told you in the first game against Chelsea – brilliant, massive player.

"Very good player, really young, but with a lot of talent, with a lot of personality, ambition. He has everything, so I am very happy for him because he is so important for us. He is scoring goals, he is very determined, so yes, I am very happy for him."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/september/05/post-crystal-palace-press-conference/

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Pierre Sage's supersubs prove the difference as unlikely heroes Tyrick Mitchell and Ben Chilwell pile pressure on Alvaro Arbeloa: Fulham 2-3 Crystal Palace
Pierre Sage and Alvaro Arbeloa began their Saturday in much the same place.

Winless, pointless, and just beginning to wonder if they had made a mistake in taking a long-term lease on a London flat.

'El Sackico' in the first weekend of September? Not quite. Not yet.

But Sage and Arbeloa will both have been desperate for a win to give them lift-off, after inauspicious starts to daunting tasks in following Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva at Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively.

In the end it was Sage who got his wish. And through the unlikeliest of sources.

Fulham had taken the lead twice – through Josh King and Cesar Palacios – but both times saw it cancelled out by Tyrick Mitchell. The full back had managed just four goals from his first 209 Premier League games, then came up with two in 54 minutes.

The second was a shambles of a goal to concede from Fulham's perspective, a Gonzalo Garcia clearance going only as far as Mitchell's boot, then the Spaniard failing to deal with the danger again as the ball travelled sedately towards goal.

With both teams chasing a win, Ben Chilwell delivered it. The former Chelsea and England man had only been on the pitch for a few minutes when the ball rebounded to him in the box and he volleyed accurately into the far corner.

Some way to reintroduce yourself to the Palace faithful, days after the former loanee rejoined the club from Strasbourg.

This was an entertaining game, end-to-end from start to finish and with both goalkeepers called into action relentlessly. It could have gone either side's way.

Unfortunately, that will do little to help Arbeloa's prospects. 'I'm very confident (in my position),' he insisted at full time, after boos rang out around Craven Cottage. 'We lost a game we didn't deserve to lose.

'We knew this month was going to be very tough but I told my players, this month will not define our season. The players are giving everything and with this mentality and character I'm sure the victories will come.'

Don't get too settled in London just yet...

Proactive Sage changes the game
Sage's side were far from abject in the first half here. Bernd Leno had a busy day in the Fulham goal, and Palace were good value for Mitchell's first equaliser - a driving run into space down the left flank, and a powerful finish at Leno's near post.

But their lack of a proper front man was obvious.

Teams like Palace, especially away from home, need a No 9 they can play up to – one that can win duels, hassle defenders, and link up play. Eddie Nketiah is not that man.

That is not to say he is without any good qualities. But when Nketiah found himself competing with Fulham centre back Calvin Bassey, that competition was embarrassingly one-sided.

No wonder Sage hooked Nketiah for the bulkier Jorgen Strand Larsen at half-time. The Norwegian was much more effective than the man he replaced.

Though Palace didn't create bundles more chances in the second half, they carried far more of a threat when they went on their forays forward.

It was one of two key substitutions from Sage, to go with match-winner Chilwell. He deserves credit for making those changes, especially the proactive introduction of Strand Larsen.

'The mindset of the team in the first half was very low,' said Sage later. 'We changed it in the second. It was a good thing because we need confidence and points to work more with less pressure.

'I was honest with the players at half-time and spoke with the players who made a mistake. I said we needed bravery.

'It's important we have "petrol", and our petrol is a victory.'

With Jean-Philippe Mateta expected to be out for another three weeks, it's safe to assume Strand Larsen will get the nod going forward.
 

King beats out Wharton in Tuchel audition
Thomas Tuchel was among the onlookers here at Craven Cottage. One assumed it was to cast an eye on Adam Wharton.

Wharton is a Rolls-Royce of a player. He runs Palace's midfield. But this was not his best game.

It was his failure to deal with a cross that led to Fulham's opener. Wharton appeared a little off it physically at times, beaten in footraces on several occasions.

'He didn't touch the ball in the first half, because we were really bad offensively,' admitted Wharton's boss Sage. 'These players can have the worst half of their life in the first half and the best in the second half because they've got so much talent.'

But if Tuchel may have been underwhelmed with what he saw of Wharton, he will have been thrilled with King's display.

The 19-year-old opened the scoring – albeit with the help of a big deflection – after showing some tidy footwork on the edge of the box.

He was at the heart of Fulham's second too, selling Chris Richards a dummy before spinning past him, leaving him in his wake before playing the ball which led to Palacios' goal.

'He's a massive player for us, a very good player,' said Arbeloa. 'He has everything – talent, ambition... he's so important for us. I'm so happy for him.'

The teenager has long been regarded as an extraordinary talent at Fulham, but his game appears to have gone up a notch this season.

King was said to have impressed England coaching staff when away at the Three Lions' pre-World Cup camp in the US. He certainly will have impressed Tuchel today.



https://www.dailymail.com/sport/football/article-16107281/pierre-sage-tyrick-mitchell-ben-chilwell-crystal-palace-fulham.html

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Palace come from behind to beat Fulham
Ben Chilwell struck a 77th-minute winner as Crystal Palace came from behind twice to beat Fulham at Craven Cottage, leaving Alvaro Arbeloa still waiting for his first point as Whites boss.

Josh King put the hosts ahead inside 11 minutes, latching onto Oscar Bobb's cutback and driving forward before his deflected effort beat keeper Dean Henderson.

Palace levelled through a goal involving Daichi Kamada and Eddie Nketiah, whose build-up play sent Tyrick Mitchell through to fire past Bernd Leno at his near post on 36 minutes, before César Palacios restored Fulham's lead on 42 minutes after Henderson had somehow kept out a Gonzalo García effort.

Palace hit back again just after the hour when Mitchell's mishit shot squirmed home off a badly-judged clearance attempt from Joachim Andersen on the goal line. Fulham failed to deal with a second-half scramble in their own box, allowing substitute Chilwell the simplest of finishes into an empty net to complete the turnaround.

Fulham pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages — Henderson parried a long-range effort that Ryan Sessegnon then curled narrowly wide, and Rodrigo Muniz blazed over from close range with two minutes remaining — but couldn't find a way back, extending their winless start to the league season.
Fulham: Leno. Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson (Sessegnon 79), Charles (Smith Rowe 79), Iwobi (Muniz 83), King, Bobb (Larsson 79), Gonzalo, Palacios (Berge 62)
Subs not used: Lecomte, Affengruber, Manuel Angel, Kevin.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/palace-come-from-behind-to-beat-fulham#google_vignette

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You fear for Fulham as defensive hot mess gifts Crystal Palace first win
There's always a rush to pronounce the end of summer at the beginning of September, matched only in 2026 by declarations of concern for Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Never mind the sun-kissed pictures from Craven Cottage, with scores of bare arms seen in the crowd. The demands for a fresh narrative must be met.

But it's worth considering how the consensus that two established Premier League teams are suddenly looking over their shoulder came about.

Some of these doom-laden predictions have come from pure conviction; glass-half-empty loyalists at both clubs who believe the good times scientifically must end soon.

But more have originated from the very thing that afflicts British media across the spectrum; the desire to be the cleverest person in the room.

It simply wouldn't do just to say the three promoted clubs will get relegated, a take destined to be lost in the depths of the doomscroll. Better to nominate a Premier League stalwart and condemn them on the flimsiest of pretexts.

As a result, a new groupthink opinion has emerged. Fulham and Palace are officially in danger. By trying to stand out from the crowd, several of us have revealed just how identikit we are.

But there's no smoke without fire. Both came into Saturday's match with zero points and new managers still unfamiliar to Our League, not yet pigeonholed for the convenience of a surface-level take.

The Cottagers were awful at Sunderland last week, losing 1-0 in a powderpuff performance with the cutting edge of cheese.

They've backed Alvaro Arbeloa, buying three fringe players from Real Madrid and retaining their biggest stars.

Meanwhile, Palace were David Moyesed at Everton before inviting Manchester City for a medieval joust and arming themselves with a toothpick. Losing 4-1 that night was probably merciful.

Pierre Sage has been asked to repair the Palace aeroplane at 30,000 feet. Neither Jean-Philippe Mateta nor Ismalia Sarr played here after failing to engineer summer exits.

Both sides are settled in the division, with the eight-figure signings and highly-paid squads to match. But it only takes one bad summer to jeopardise that status and the concern is that such a misstep has already occurred.

Happily, the spectre of relegation was far from evident in a pleasant first half. Palace diced with danger playing out from the back, almost teeing up Fulham twice before the home team took the lead.

Oscar Bobb's cross was miscontrolled by the much-touted Adam Wharton into the path of Josh King. Already on Thomas Tuchel's radar, who was enjoying hospitality in the executive stand, King jinked through and hit a deflected shot past Dean Henderson.

Palace's response was immediate, Yeremy Pino pinging a brilliant outside-of-the-boot cross into Daichi Kamada's path. 1-1. Or it was, until VAR intervened for an especially killjoy offside.

VAR's intrusion wasn't the only unwelcome reminder of our era at one of English football's most timeless grounds.

Some horrific 'AI for Lawyers' advertisement flashed up on the hoardings and we were once again reminded of how the technology's inevitability has been entirely engineered into consensus.

By coincidence, Arbeloa looked and dressed like a Magic Bean tech bro on the touchline. His hair and beard are suspiciously black, like Luis Figo in his Just for Men era. Sage was admirably resisting the box-fresh white trainer revolution next to him, with a beige pair on his feet.

Palace continued to pepper the Fulham goal with long shots and their equaliser felt like just reward.

Possibly frustrated at the wastefulness of his colleagues, Tyrick Mitchell barged through and thrashed his shot high past Bernd Leno.

The normally reliable Joachim Andersen was at fault, ambling over towards Mitchell and making a lackadaisical attempt to stop his shot.

But Fulham went into half-time ahead, Cesar Palacios on hand to ram home the rebound after Henderson stopped Gonzalo Garcia's clever flick.

The second Palace equaliser was gloriously shambolic, the type to make your dad smack their lips and reminisce about the Good Old Days.

Garcia's clearance cannoned off Mitchell and rolled at snail's pace over the goalline. The Fulham striker attempted to rectify the damage, but produced a Charlie Brown-esque airkick in vain.

The game was now anybody's, a golden opportunity for a first league win dangling in front of both teams.

Ultimately, the day was seized by the darkest of horses. Ben Chilwell snuck back to the Premier League on deadline day, swapping Strasbourg for Selhurst Park, and netted a low finish past Leno.

The Palace fans, including one bucket-hatted pensioner with alarmingly few teeth, celebrated with a visual exhale of breath.

Fulham huffed and puffed, producing half-chances at best, before the final whistle. Three defeats from three is undoubtedly a sub-optimal start to the Arbeloa era.

The quality going forward was there in flashes, although Garcia looks an ill-advised buy on this showing, but the defending was a hot mess. Their next game is at Anfield.

Even with the caveat of its inherent absurdity, the temperature has probably risen a little on Arbeloa. Sage has the raw materials to keep Palace comfortably mid-table.

There's a danger with both of these clubs that Premier League status stops becoming the consequence of good decisions and switches to becoming the sole ambition of each club, leading to increasingly chaotic choices.

Eschewing the same old choices to replace both Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner is admirable, but also has the feel of a decision to rue on a cold Tuesday night at Ewood Park while sitting 19th in the Championship.

On the evidence of a sunny afternoon at Craven Cottage, those who pegged Fulham as relegation candidates may just be on to something.



https://www.football365.com/news/fulham-crystal-palace-reaction-arbeloa-pierre-sage

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Fulham throw lead away twice as Palace inflict third loss on Arbeloa
King and Palacios strikes cancelled by abject defending in 3-2 defeat at the Cottage

The season is still in its infancy but the first clouds are starting to form over Craven Cottage... it is Crystal Palace that provide our stormy weather today, 3-2 victors in a wasted opportunity for Fulham to get off the mark. Our positive attacking play, not for the first time, was compromised by some abysmal defending from familiar culprits - the efforts of our young attacking nucleus were shot dead by amateur errors and risible situational awareness from some of the team's oldest heads. We were better than Palace in many metrics today but it counts for nothing if you can't keep hold of a lead, and Fulham find themselves stricken with a sickening feeling following today's sorry antics.

First Half
A home game in the weekend sun against pointless Palace... what could be a better game to elicit a reaction following our struggle against Sunderland? We certainly started with some energy, moving around the pitch with a touch of speed and kicking into gear around the final third. Castagne flashed a shot wide with a burst from the wings and Robinson moved with his trademark pace to win an early corner, perhaps needing a better set-piece than Iwobi's overhit effort. Our blossoming chemistry on the right turned our early moves into a proper advantage - Charles intercepted a pass and moved it forward to Bobb, who glided down the right channel. A cross deflected off Disasi but fell to King, and our starlet maneuvered away from Timber to fire a shot at goal, deflecting off Canvot and past Henderson for the opener.

Such a brilliant start was betrayed by our perilous defending. We'd left chasms of space open for Palace's invitation and within minutes Sage's side had bounced back, Nketiah speeding away from a sluggish Andersen along the right to force the defence to retreat, playing it back to Pino on the left and letting the Spaniard curl a delectable ball into the box to Kamada, nipping ahead of Bassey and tapping the ball beyond a hapless Leno. Castagne and Bobb's languid efforts to track back, Andersen's shabby one-on-one defending, Leno's dismal efforts in the box... our humbling was allayed only by a marginal VAR offside spotting Kamada inches ahead of the backline.

The game took a basketball feel for a few moments, as Palace threatened to pounce on our insecurity. A Khalaili shot from distance was speculative but fierce, flying past the post with venom, and Leno was needed to race off his line to stop Nketiah latching onto a long ball unopposed. Fulham did similar, Bobb having an effort stopped on the line by Khalaili and assisting a Garcia effort that Henderson needed a split-second arm to divert over. The England keeper was involved again, making a similar stop at the near-post to stop Castagne converting for us. It was end-to-end, but Palace were the side to actually convert - a Wharton header in midfield let Nketiah move the ball left, our depleted right flank exploited by an advancing Tyrick Mitchell. His place humbled Andersen and he galloped into the box, lifting the ball over Leno at the near post to equalise.

All teams benefit from good fortune though, and Fulham's attacking football was causing Palace concerns. We were solidly on the ball and finding space around Palace, their set-up leaving them in a nervy back-five that let our technical attackers architect a lot of play. After a Robinson shot from distance flew past Henderson's post, Josh King took centre-stage again, turning Richards on the wing and cruising along the exposed left channel to reach the box. He played a ball into Garcia's feet, and after Henderson again saved the Spaniard's effort Palacios was on-point to guide the ball into the open net. Despite our ramshackle defending - again requiring a last-ditch Bassey intervention to block Nketiah in the box - we'd take a 2-1 lead into the half-time break.

Second Half
Palace opened the half with a change - a frustrated, if sprightly, Eddie Nketiah departed for the towering figure of Jorgen Strand Larsen. He'd scored inside minutes, getting ahead of our centre-backs to stick home a Kamada cross, but the winger was offside in the build-up. Undeterred, Fulham made their own move, winning a corner on the right - Bobb, busy in the first half, whipped a sharp ball into the congested box for Garcia to leap onto. His effort might have travelled in but for the unaware body of King, and upon the rebound Palacios steered his effort wide of the left post. Charles continued to impress, intercepting passes from Palace's backline and making progressive moves with his forward passes and connecting runs. One such action almost gave King a second goal, as our new signing combined with Castagne and our starlet along the right to put King in the box... a late slide was all that prevented our third goal.

But once again, Fulham's ability to shoot themselves in the foot unwound our positive start to the half. Some insipid footwork from Iwobi was pounced upon by Palace, dispossessing him and setting Mitchell away down our seemingly ever-exposed right flank. Gallivanting into position with a lethargic defence backing away, he pumped an effort towards goal - it deflected off Castagne, Pino's miscued effort marginally angled the shot goalwards and though Palacios made a valiant effort to slide the ball away Mitchell was again more alert than our defenders to stick his foot forward first and strike another equaliser. It was horrible to watch - we'd been pulled apart from a relatively mundane situation again, and blown a second lead in the game.

The possession continued. Arbeloa's attacking formation was certainly keeping us on the ball, Robinson and Castagne moving incredibly far forward, Iwobi a deeper playmaker as our forwards prowled around in search of gaps. A speedy run from the left-back saw Palacios reach for a cross that needed more power to beat Henderson. Another combination on the right with Charles linking Castagne and Bobb saw the Norwegian move around Disasi and force Henderson into a save. A free kick swung in from the right found Castagne in a great position, whose lay off to Palacios needed a far sharper effort from Palacios, slicing a shot off-target despite the time he had. Garcia collected a couple of sharp crosses and got them down to his feet, but blocks from Disasi were well-timed and prevented Henderson from having to stop a shot.

We'd introduced Berge for Palacios and moved an ailing Iwobi further forward on the left, but the clinical touch hadn't come. What we hadn't done was take note of Palace's substitutes, seasoned Premier League players Ben Chilwell and Will Hughes entering the action. They put some steel into Palace's outfield, combating our possession with some tough play - in doing so, they kickstarted Palace's own attacking vision and activated the counter-attack. To our dismay, it didn't take long for the game to be inverted. Hughes helped string together a few Palace passes, prompting Bassey to step out of defence to try and disrupt the flow. He couldn't outmuscle Strand Larsen, whose mind clicked into gear - a pass back to a deeper-lying Pino let the Spaniard play a through-ball through the space Bassey left behind, right-back Khalaili accelerating past Robinson and towards the goal. Leno ambled forward, staggering in front of the ball - his hesitation let Khalaili take the ball away from the keeper as his late dive diverted its momentum. Andersen's overrun positioned him behind the loose ball, at least enough to slide and block the attempted follow-up from Kamada... but it flew straight up, looping nicely into the path of Chilwell - the substitute needed a single touch to volley the ball goalwards, bouncing through our pitiful troops.

Realising the predicament, Arbeloa threw the bench onto the pitch - Sess, Smith Rowe and newcomer Larsson arrived to try and turn the game our way, with Muniz arriving a few minutes later. But Palace were focused on their goal, and had the physicality to frustrate our players on the ball, eating time out of the game. Despite their earlier struggles, the trio of Canvot, Disasi and Richards was an effective one at physically narrowing the time and space available to shoot, and our significant possession was not translating into serious danger for sustained periods of time. Sess was courageous off the bench, operating as a winger and dribbling into action - a pass through to Muniz produced a shot that Henderson had to save, and his own rebound on his weaker foot skewed narrowly off-target. Castagne, still making combinations with King, helped work the ball into the box again for Muniz, taking a close-range cross from our goalscorer ahead of Richards, but the volley flew over the bar. Palace introduced their late substitutes for a burst of energy to repel our closing attacks, Disasi again in the right place to stop Larsson firing at goal following Garcia's header down from Bassey's long ball, and after a free kick won by King's tireless efforts was blocked away, the final whistle tolled the end of another disappointing afternoon for Arbeloa's side.

Fulham - unfit for a King
We'll offer some plaudits to break up all the misery. Josh King is starting to look like a seriously effective Premier League player, heavily involved throughout the action today and earning the individual plaudits of a goal and a de facto assist. He glides on the ball, has surprising strength given his size next to some of his opponents, is intelligent when in collaboration with his teammates and lives to get the ball into dangerous areas through his runs and clever little passes. Even with the game in its dying embers he was moving around with purpose - his spirit is what needs to be captured and reproduced for the rest of the team, and with Thomas Tuchel in the crowds one wonders how long we'll have to wait before we see the man in an England shirt.

He is the headline of a good attacking fulcrum, even if it didn't earn the points today. People have been critical of Palacios and even Garcia but the pair have the energy to make things happen - you don't score the goals we did without the legwork taking place, and we forget that Henderson had to make some decent saves across the game to keep us from extending our lead. Bobb and Castagne are enjoying good chemistry along the right, particularly when King interplays with them, Charles read the action well from behind them and off the bench Sess and Muniz showed attacking intent and vision of their own. The team aren't in the stodgy slump they found themselves in towards the end of last season and aren't afraid to play attractive football, which is always a positive to take forward.

The positives have to end there though, because any Premier League side can hold their lines against a good attack and punish you if your defence isn't up to scratch. We have several serial underperformers in the team at the back that have carried their poor form into this season, and it has resulted in a dearth of points to start this season. Andersen is the man perhaps most spotlighted here - his mobility has declined quite alarmingly, to the point that most attackers are breezing past him without too much effort, and far too much space is vulnerable when he is the man responsible for dealing with the attacker. The calls for Affengruber or De Fougerolles will only get stronger when his performances are as abject as this. Castagne was too careless today as well, too comfortable leaving his teammates to deal with threats along their left across the game, and for all his improvements will need to find a greater balance between attack and defence if he wants to keep his place - Robinson does not have the benefit of positive form over the last few months and is guilty of the same problems. This instability can perhaps explain the sordid case of Bernd Leno, who has rarely looked as unstable in goal as in the last few weeks - mistakes are happening in every game at the moment, a perilous set of conditions for the team.

What of the midfield? Charles was solid but his partners have not yet clicked into gear - Iwobi seems at sea in this team, caught between roles and struggling to do any of them successfully at the moment, whilst Berge doesn't play with the dynamism of our new midfielder and struggles to turn the screw for Fulham when required. With Fulham bringing in Larsson the pressure needs to be on the pair to step up the action, lest our ship rock even further going into some tough fixtures next week.

Lucky points for Palace?
Shall we offer some praise to Crystal Palace? They have an international quality keeper that kept them in the game at their lowest, Henderson saving his defence's blushes for large parts of the afternoon today, and took their chances when presented them by our comedy of errors. I don't think Timber and Wharton had particularly strong games in midfield, meaning their defenders were required to individually step in and stop attackers from striking at goal, and whilst the scoreline shows they won their three goals were incredibly fortunate and dependant on their left-backs being given the freedom of the park to make their moves - work clearly needs to be done for Sage's side.

That said, they are three points better off than us this weekend, and as always their squad seems to be in a decent place. Given the European games on the horizon there's a lot to be excited about at the club - you have to ask yourself what we would be feeling about a nervy start to the league if we had trips around the continent coming up for us, because there is a strong possibility the players are warming themselves up for the real highlight of the campaign in the Europa League. Sage will have time to tweak his team, letting the new faces gel together effectively - the talent and experience will merge in time.

Hopefully the same is true for Arbeloa, but a far tougher challenge awaits in the next couple of fixtures - a trip to Anfield, a cup contest at perennial headaches West Ham and the visit of Manchester United to the Cottage represent a challenging ride for this young Fulham side. The Champions League opponents will at least offer the team a serious opportunity to fix our porous defence - failure to do so may leave our season in a wretched place heading into the international break, and prompt the first whispers of the r-word around the club. We must stay positive to give the team the best chance of staving off such negative energy.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/fulham-throw-lead-away-twice-as-palace

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RSL adds World Cup-tested defender Luc de Fougerolles on loan from Fulham
SANDY — Real Salt Lake's latest young addition comes with something most 20-year-olds don't have: World Cup experience.

RSL announced Saturday it has acquired Canadian international center back Luc de Fougerolles on loan from Premier League club Fulham.

The loan runs through the end of the current MLS season, with an option to extend through Major League Soccer's shortened 2027 sprint season. Fulham may recall the player at any point.

"This move came together very quickly," de Fougerolles said late Friday after arriving in Utah. "The style of play, along with the aims and ambitions of Real Salt Lake as a whole, give me a lot of confidence that this would be the right move and will help me progress, while showcasing my abilities and most importantly, helping the team."

His immediate objective is straightforward.

"For me, the aim is clearly to achieve the playoffs, then make a run in and who knows then what can happen," de Fougerolles said.

RSL enters Saturday's match against LAFC in 10th place with 28 points in a tightly contested Western Conference, just six points behind fourth place.

World Cup experience at 20
De Fougerolles arrives in Utah just two months after playing in all five of Canada's matches during its deepest-ever run at a men's World Cup.

He started all three group-stage matches and the round-of-16 loss to Morocco, while coming off the bench in Canada's 1-0 win over South Africa in the round of 32.

FIFA highlighted de Fougerolles during Canada's run as a contender for the tournament's Young Player Award.

Born in London, de Fougerolles joined Fulham's academy at 8 years old and progressed through the club's youth system before making his senior debut in a Carabao Cup match against Ipswich Town in November 2023.

Eligible to represent Canada through his Montreal-born father, de Fougerolles made his senior international debut in March 2024 and has since earned 18 caps. He was named Canada Soccer's Young Men's Player of the Year in 2025.

De Fougerolles arrives with some familiarity with his new league.

"Obviously, being from Canada I know a lot about MLS and how competitive it is, and the quality of the players and teams in the league," de Fougerolles said. "Especially on the heels of the World Cup, MLS is just getting bigger and bigger, so now I just can't wait to get started and play in front of all the fans."

From Fulham to Belgium and back
Fulham sent de Fougerolles to Belgian first-division club FCV Dender EH on loan for the 2025-26 season.

De Fougerolles made 30 appearances across all competitions for Dender, including 27 in the Belgian Pro League with 18 starts, 1,655 minutes and one assist.

He returned to Fulham this summer following the World Cup and played 67 minutes in a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon on Aug. 27.

De Fougerolles remains firmly under Fulham's control. He signed a four-year contract with the London club last summer that runs through 2029, and RSL's loan does not include a reported purchase option.

The move has frustrated some Fulham supporters who had called for de Fougerolles to get a first-team opportunity even before his World Cup breakout, while others expressed surprise that his next step will come outside Europe.

For de Fougerolles, RSL provides another opportunity for regular senior minutes, but he said there was a specific reason for choosing Utah.

Pablo's pitch helps seal the move
De Fougerolles said a conversation with RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni convinced him Utah was the right place for the next step.

"In my call with the Club, I spoke to Pablo and really liked what he had to say," de Fougerolles said. "That call was a big reason for this move, due to his ideas and the collective style of play, which will suit me very well. I feel like I can learn a lot from him and this group."

Primarily a right-footed center back, de Fougerolles also has experience at right back after coming through Fulham's academy in wider defensive positions before moving centrally.

He adds another option to an RSL defensive group that includes the injured Justen Glad, Juan José Arias, Philip Quinton, Kobi Henry and DeAndre Yedlin.

His arrival fits the philosophy RSL Chief Soccer Officer Kurt Schmid described following the close of the summer transfer window.

Rather than use the club-record fee received for Zavier Gozo's move to Crystal Palace on one blockbuster replacement, RSL spread its summer business across younger players it believes can contribute now while continuing to develop, utilizing loan options where possible.

"We want to invest in, not just invest in big signings just to make a big announcement and everyone feels good on September 2nd, but invest in the right pieces to help not only us win games, but continue to develop players and keep the cycle sort of going," Schmid told KSL Sports on Thursday.

The approach also allows RSL to remain flexible as MLS considers potential changes to its roster and spending rules under incoming Commissioner Larry Berg.

De Fougerolles doesn't turn 21 until Oct. 12, but arrives with a full season of European first-division soccer, 18 senior international appearances and four World Cup starts on his résumé.

De Fougerolles will first have to complete the visa process before becoming available for selection.

Then RSL will find out how quickly that experience translates to MLS.



https://sports.ksl.com/mls/real-salt-lake/rsl-adds-world-cup-tested-defender-luc-de-fougerolles-on-loan-from-fulham/576806

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Official | Hugo Larsson's Fulham debut triggers €22m purchase obligation
Hugo Larsson's first appearance for Fulham has already converted the Swedish midfielder's loan move from Eintracht Frankfurt into a permanent transfer. Kicker reports that the purchase obligation contained within the agreement was triggered when Larsson made his Premier League debut during Saturday's 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old entered in the 79th minute in place of Oscar Bobb, four days after completing his move to west London. As GGFN reported when the transfer was completed, Larsson initially joined Fulham on a season-long loan containing an obligation to buy.

Kicker now reports that the conditions attached to the clause required only a first competitive appearance. Frankfurt are therefore set to receive €22m for the midfielder. Larsson's debut could not prevent Fulham from suffering their third Premier League defeat of the new campaign. Álvaro Arbeloa's side remain without a point after three league fixtures.

Frankfurt secure €22m from Hugo Larsson departure
Larsson leaves Germany after three years with Eintracht. The Sweden international joined Frankfurt from boyhood club Malmö FF in the summer of 2023 and quickly established himself as an important member of the Bundesliga side's midfield.

He departs having made 119 competitive appearances across the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and European competition, scoring ten goals. Larsson remained under contract with Frankfurt through 2029, but both parties ultimately opted for a separation this summer.

Frankfurt can now formally account for the €22m transfer fee after his first Fulham appearance activated the permanent-transfer clause.

The structure closely resembles Jean-Mattéo Bahoya's deadline-day move to Leeds United, with the French attacker likewise initially departing on loan with a mandatory purchase clause.

Leeds are set to pay a guaranteed €30m for Bahoya, meaning the two deals will ultimately bring Eintracht €52m in transfer income.



https://www.getfootballnewsgermany.com/2026/hugo-larsson-fulham-22m/

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Arbeloa vows Fulham's poor start 'will not define this season'
Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa insists his side's difficult start to the season will not define their campaign after suffering a third consecutive defeat.

Fulham were beaten 3-2 by Crystal Palace having led 2-1 in the game, leaving Arbeloa's side without a point from their opening three games and facing a challenging run of fixtures.

The Cottagers travel to Anfield next before hosting Manchester United, while they will also face West Ham United in the Carabao Cup. in between.

"It's three games, three losses, so it's difficult," Arbeloa admitted.

"And now you are thinking that we have to go to Anfield, Manchester United coming to Craven Cottage, so you can see two very difficult games.

"Also, in the Carabao, we have to go to face West Ham United, so not easy, but we knew that this month was to be a very tough month, but I told my players this month will not define our entire season.

"I think they are working so hard. They are playing, like today, giving everything
that they have, and with this mentality and with this character, I am sure that victories will come."



https://hayters.com/arbeloa-vows-fulhams-poor-start-will-not-define-this-season/

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Fulham booed off after third defeat in a row
Fulham were booed off by some supporters following the 3-2 Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.

Having led twice in the first half, Alvaro Arbeloa's side fell to a third consecutive Premier League defeat since he replaced Marco Silva, who joined Benfica in the summer following five years in charge.

Josh King and summer signing Cesar Palacios scored in the first half, but a goal in each half from Tyrick Mitchell levelled the match twice before substitute Ben Chilwell scored the winner three minutes into his second Palace stint.

It leaves Fulham as one of only two sides to have lost their opening three Premier League games this season, alongside Coventry City.

It follows defeat at Sunderland and at home to Chelsea, which also finished 3-2.

Liverpool and Manchester United are next on Fulham's league fixture list before the extended September and October international break.

"We didn't deserve to lose this game," Arbeloa told BBC's Match of the Day.

"My players did everything - good attitude, they were brave, so many chances to score more goals.

"They [Palace] took their chances - in the end football is about that.

"We did many good things to win the game. It was similar against Chelsea but we lose.

"For the players it's a difficult situation, difficult moment, but I am very proud of them."

'The victories will come'
Fulham enjoyed a better expected goals (xG) of 3.13 than Palace (1.97), and also ran Chelsea close on the opening weekend.

But that does not stop the table reading three matches played, three defeats, zero points.

It led to booing from some Fulham fans, as well as chants questioning the team's performance.

Arbeloa will be no stranger to pressure. His playing career included more than 350 appearances for Real Madrid, Deportivo la Coruna, Liverpool and West Ham.

He also won 56 caps for Spain and was part of their side that won two European Championships and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012.

Arbeloa got the job following four months as Real's caretaker manager, taking charge of the final 28 matches of last season following Xabi Alonso's departure.

In that time he oversaw 18 wins, two draws and eight defeats.

As a former defender, the Spaniard will have wanted to avoid conceding three goals, especially in the manner they did.

"We were really unlucky in this goal [second Palace goal," Arbeloa said.

If Fulham can keep creating chances in the way they did against Palace, the victories should come. But the prospect of being on zero - or very few - points at the international break is a real one.

Arbeloa faces meetings with two of his former clubs next. A trip to Liverpool comes before a home Carabao Cup third-round tie with the Hammers and a league meeting with Manchester United.

Only six Premier League teams have started a season with five straight defeats. Of them, only two went on to avoid relegation.

New signings give Arbeloa hope
Fulham made seven signings this summer. Of them, three followed Arbeloa in swapping the Bernabeu for Craven Cottage in Palacios, Gonzalo Garcia and deadline-day arrival Manuel Angel.

Palacios and Garcia have started all three league matches, while Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles was also handed a first league start against Palace following his £30m move from Southampton.

Palacios took his goal well, converting on the follow-up after Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson could only spill Jaydee Canvot's attempted clearance into his path.

Garcia, trusted to be Fulham's main source of goals this season, was unable to add to his tally against Palace, but did score on his debut against Chelsea and as a substitute in their EFL Cup second-round win over AFC Wimbledon three days later.

"Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia both had a great game. Cesar scored a goal, and for Gonzalo another great performance," Arbeloa added.

"Good effort from Gonzalo. That's the spirit I want from my players - the striker making a sprint to try and save a goal.

"With that spirit and character, if we play in this way the victories will come."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2zqp52pr2o

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Defiant Arbeloa confident Fulham's results will improve
Alvaro Arbeloa has insisted that Fulham's first month under him will not define their season.

After defeat against Crystal Palace, Fulham are still yet to pick up a point under new boss Arbeloa, with Liverpool and Manchester United up next in the league.

It has been a difficult start to the campaign, but Arbeloa is confident wins will come.

"Three games, three losses, so it's difficult. And now you are thinking that we have to go to Anfield, Manchester United coming to Craven Cottage. So you can see two very difficult games," said Arbeloa.

"Also in the Carabao Cup we have to go to face West Ham United. So not easy, but we knew that this month it was going to be a very, very tough month.

"But I told my players this month will not define our entire season. I think they are working so hard, giving everything that they have, and with this mentality and with this character I am sure the victories will come."

Fulham conceded two sloppy goals in the second half, after looking the stronger side, as Palace came from behind to win 3-2.

Arbeloa said: "We were brave, with the ball we pressed so well, so high, we controlled the game, but if you are winning 2-1 at home, you cannot concede some counter-attacks.

"In some situations when you are winning, you cannot concede."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/defiant-arbeloa-confident-fulhams-results-will-improve

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Under-18 Premier League report: Fulham 4-3 Chelsea
Chelsea were beaten 4-3 by Fulham in the Under-18 Premier League after an impressive fightback from our London rivals.

The Blues were in control for much of the first half and deservedly led 2-0 as we moved towards half-time thanks to goals from Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Chizaram Ezenwata, with Fulham goalkeeper Zack Brief making several other saves to keep his side in the contest.

However, Leo Hamilton reduced the deficit in first-half injury time and Fulham struck twice early in the second half to move ahead.

Ezenwata's penalty brought Chelsea level with 14 minutes remaining but Tarrell Cavell's second goal of the game then decided the contest.

Two-goal lead established
Heze Grimwade had the first opportunity after eight minutes, dragging a right-footed effort wide from the centre of the box.

Chelsea went ahead five minutes later. Nicoll-Jazuli tried twice from a tight angle before converting at the third attempt from close range.

Ezenwata almost doubled our advantage immediately when his drive from outside the box was tipped over by Brief, before Nicoll-Jazuli struck the right post.

The second goal arrived in the 20th minute. Richards played the ball down the line to Jashayde Greenwood, whose square pass left Ezenwata with a simple finish.

Brief denied Greenwood with a fine save from a shot heading towards the top corner and then rushed from his goal to stop Grimwade following a slick Chelsea move.

Calvin Diakite made an important challenge at the other end after Fulham capitalised on a loose pass, but the hosts pulled one back in first-half injury time when Hamilton finished from around eight yards.

Richards tested Brief from distance shortly after the restart, while Isaac Collinson made an excellent save at the other end before the rebound struck the crossbar.

Fulham move ahead
The hosts equalised in the 51st minute through Aidan Evans, who found the top corner. Cavell then put Fulham ahead for the first time five minutes later with another well-taken strike from outside the box.

Chelsea continued to create openings. Ezenwata curled narrowly over, Greenwood sent two efforts off target and substitute Eden Mahoney-Smith was also close with a curling attempt.

The Blues drew level in the 76th minute. After Ibrahim Rabbaj had seen a shot saved, Ezenwata found Nicoll-Jazuli, who was brought down inside the box. Ezenwata stepped forward and drove the resulting penalty into the corner.

Cavell restored Fulham's advantage six minutes later, though, meeting a cross from the right with a first-time finish.

Nicoll-Jazuli and Greenwood had late efforts as Chelsea searched for another equaliser, before Lewi Richards received his second booking and a red card in the seventh minute of added time.

What it means
The result leaves Chelsea eighth in the Under-18 Premier League table with six points from four matches. Fulham are second with 10 points from their opening four fixtures.

What's next?
The Blues return to Under-18 Premier League action away against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 12 September. The match will be played at Brighton's Elite Football Performance Centre, with kick-off at 11am.

The teams
Chelsea: 1. Isaac Collinson, 2. Lewi Richards, 3. Dante Waite, 4. Jacob Hall, 5. Calvin Diakite, 6. Isaac Badu Da Silva (18. Trey Faromo-Adebayo 87), 7. Jashayde Greenwood, 8. Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, 9. Chizaram Ezenwata, 10. Heze Grimwade (16. Eden Mahoney-Smith 68), 11. Andrew Pennie (17. Ibrahim Rabbaj HT)
Unused subs: 12. Isago Silva, 13. Jake Murray, 14. Gabriel Sambou, 15. Jayden Malundama
Scorers: Nicoll-Jazuli 13, Ezenwata 20, 76 (pen)
Booked: Richards 15, Grimwade 22, Nicoll-Jazuli 73, Greenwood 85
Sent off: Richards 90+7
Head coach: Dan Hogan

Fulham: 1. Zack Brief, 2. Marley Clarke, 3. Kymarley Morrison, 4. Isaiah Onwuegbusi-Allen, 5. Teddy Driscoll, 6. Lewis Konadu-Wall (18. Khai Vally 65), 7. William Sutton-Bangura (17. Anand Batra 55), 8. Leo Hamilton (15. Bashil Lubega 90+3), 9. Aidan Evans, 10. Dylan De-Gale (16. Kayden Sessegnon 64), 11. Tarrell Cavell
Unused subs: 13. William Ritchie, 14. Benjamin Oluyemmy, 19. Stefan Luzajic
Scorers: Hamilton 45+1, Evans 51, Cavell 56, 82
Booked: Driscoll 45+3, Konadu-Wall 66
Manager: Andrew Joslin



https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/under-18-premier-league-report-fulham-4-3-chelsea

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Arbeloa: 'We conceded very easy goals' after Fulham's third straight defeat
The Fulham boss believes his side need to tighten up after a third successive Premier League defeat, this time a 2-3 home loss to Crystal Palace.

Alvaro Arbeloa reflected on a third successive defeat for Fulham in the Premier League.

The Cottagers are still finding their feet under their Spanish boss after the end of a five-year stint for Marco Silva in the dugout. They ultimately suffered a 3-2 defeat to Chelsea in their first game at Craven Cottage, then an uninspiring performance produced a 1-0 loss against Sunderland.

·'Some situations that we are very wide and very open'

Josh King and Cesar Palacios put the hosts ahead on home soil in an all-London affair, but Ben Chilwell chipped in with a second half strike to give the Eagles points for the first time this season.

"I think we lost a game that we didn't deserve to lose. I think we were the better team on the pitch, but at the end, in football, you need to take your chances, and they did better than us.

"We conceded very easy goals. Crystal Palace didn't need to do so many things to score three goals. For us, we have to do so many things if we want to score a goal.

"We need to control the second balls, and some situations that we are very wide and very open. So, in this area, we need to improve for sure.

·Lessons from the goals conceded

"They are easy situations to control, to control that goal that we concede, so it's not something that I am very worried [about], for sure. It was similar to some of Chelsea's goals, and we need to learn so quick, because when you concede a goal, the game could change.

"We were brave with the ball, we press so well, so high, we controlled the game, but if you are winning 2-1 at home, you cannot concede some counter-attacks and some situations that when you are winning, you cannot concede.

·A tough month ahead

"It's three games, three losses, so it's difficult. Now you are thinking that we have to go to Anfield, Manchester United coming to Craven Cottage, so you can see two very difficult games.

"Also, in the Carabao Cup, we have to go to face West Ham United, so not easy, but we knew that this month was to be a very tough month, but I told my players this month will not define our entire season. I think they are working so hard. They are playing, like today, giving everything that they have, and with this mentality and with this character, I am sure that victories will come."



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2026/09/05/fulham/1270313-arbeloa-we-conceded-very-easy-goals.html