Fulham 1-2 Crystal Palace: Five key takeaways from pre-season friendly

The Eagles sealed a comeback win over the Cottagers.

With the English Premier League 2026/27 season just weeks away, Fulham hosted Crystal Palace in an exciting pre-season friendly fixture at their training ground, Motspur Park, in London. Goals from Ismaila Sarr and Matheus Franca sealed a 2-1 comeback win for the visitors.

USMNT full-back Antonee Robinson opened the scoring in the third minute, giving Alvaro Arbeloa’s side the perfect start at home. The Cottagers continued to dominate proceedings. Crystal Palace fought back after the half-hour mark.

Ismaila Sarr, the talismanic forward for the Eagles, put the away side level with a fine finish in the 33rd minute. Pierre Sage’s men slowly grew back into the game, with an entertaining first half coming to a close at 1-1.

Palace continued to dominate the game in the second half, with Oscar Mingueza finding fellow substitute Matheus Franca, who beat Benjamin Lecomte to find the back of the net. Despite late pressure from the Cottagers, the visitors held on for a narrow win.

FT at Motspur Park. pic.twitter.com/DKOLoUzo3y

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 7, 2026

Also Read: When does Premier League 2026-27 season start?

Important things we learned from Fulham vs Crystal Palace:

1. Defensive issues persist for both sides

While the friendly match was a supremely entertaining one for neutrals, both managers would be slightly worried about their defensive frailties. Both teams had fielded their first-choice defenders, yet the forwards continued to enjoy extreme freedom in their opposition’s half.

2. Palace cannot afford to let Sarr go

Before the match, there were rumours that Real Madrid were preparing a big offer to sign Ismaila Sarr. However, if this match has shown anything, it’s that Palace remain overly reliant on the Senegalese winger. He was their best player in the first half, inspiring their equaliser.

Pierre Sage can ill afford to let him go so close to the start of the new season.

Ismaïla Sarr scoring goals already 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/gaKXgY31KM

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 7, 2026

3. Substitutes make the difference

For Sage, the half-time substitutes made an immediate impact. In a swift move, Oscar Mingueza’s ball found Matheus Franca, who found the back of the net to put the Eagles ahead in the 47th minute. That goal eventually proved to be the winner.

4. Scoring remains a problem for Fulham

The Cottagers made full use of their home advantage and created several chances throughout the match. However, apart from Robinson’s early opener, Arbeloa’s forwards had little joy in front of the Palace goal. New signings Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios were starved of any kind of delivery, neutralising their threat.

5. A sign of things to come?

Both Arbeloa and Sage are new appointments at their clubs. They are clearly trying to mould their teams to play in their style. It is never wise to read too much into a training ground friendly, but it seems that Sage will stick with the 3-4-3 formation that Oliver Glasner used to deploy.

Arbeloa, meanwhile, is trying to turn the Cottagers into an attacking force, relying on his former Real Madrid youngsters up top.

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