Ben Chilwell marked his Crystal Palace return with a dramatic late winner to secure a 3-2 victory at Fulham, delivering manager Pierre Sage his first Premier League points. The left-back, who rejoined the club on a free transfer just days earlier, scored five minutes after his introduction to complete a comeback that saw Palace fight back from deficits twice.
How did the match unfold?
Crystal Palace found themselves trailing early at Craven Cottage under Álvaro Arbeloa's Fulham. Tyrick Mitchell responded with the equalizer, his first of a brace on the day. Fulham retook the lead, but Mitchell struck again to level the scoreline once more. With the game poised at 2-2, manager Pierre Sage introduced Ben Chilwell in the 70th minute. The substitute made an immediate impact, scoring what he later described as a 'shanked' finish that beat goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The goal was Chilwell's second for the club overall and his first since returning.
The victory was vital for a Palace side that had lost its opening two fixtures, including an opening day defeat away to Everton. It moves them to 13th in the Premier League table with three points from three games. Their goal difference stands at minus four, having scored four and conceded eight so far this season. You can see the full standings for the latest league positions.
What does Chilwell's return mean?
Ben Chilwell's return to Selhurst Park was finalized on deadline day after he mutually terminated his deal with French club Strasbourg. He had previously enjoyed a successful loan spell at Palace during the 2024/25 season, being part of the squad that won the FA Cup. "I'm buzzing to be back amongst the boys, you know, fit, straight back in from day one and like I mentioned, I love being here," Chilwell told sports.yahoo.com after the match. He trained just once with his new teammates after joining on Tuesday before making his match-winning contribution.
Chilwell also joked about a 'left wingback takeover' after replacing the excellent Tyrick Mitchell, who had given his all for the opening 70 minutes. The win was celebrated passionately with the traveling fans, and Chilwell even took over the mantle from Maxence Lacroix's traditional post-win fist bumps, having spoken to the defender upon re-signing.
What is the squad list situation?
The win comes despite a significant injury list. Key players currently sidelined include defender Chadi Riad, winger Ismaïla Sarr, and strikers Jean-Philippe Mateta and Honest Ahanor. The full injuries list shows the challenges Pierre Sage is navigating with his squad depth. Chilwell's immediate impact provides a timely boost as Palace face a favorable run of fixtures.
The three points leave Crystal Palace six points behind early leaders Manchester City. Chilwell highlighted the team's character, saying, "To go down twice and to come back and win the game away from home shows a lot about the squad."
What comes next for Crystal Palace?
Attention now turns to a busy period. Crystal Palace will face Middlesbrough in a midweek fixture before a important home match next weekend. They host Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park on September 12th. Ipswich currently sit 14th in the table, making it an important opportunity for Palace to build momentum. You can view the upcoming fixtures for the full schedule. The squad will be looking to carry the confidence from this dramatic away win into their next performances at home.
