Credit: Crystal Palace FC
Crystal Palace’s Under-21s reached the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup for the first time in their history after beating Leicester City 3-2 in the first knockout round last month. They travelled to Motspur Park on Thursday to face Fulham as they sought to progress to the semi-finals for a chance at silverware.
Darren Powell made five changes to the side that lost 4-0 to a clinical Southampton side over two weeks ago. Mofe Jemide stepped up from the under-18s to make his first start at under-21 level, while Nathan Ferguson returned to the starting lineup for the first time since October. Under-18 midfield engine Joe Gibbard also featured on the bench.
Powell’s side faced a Fulham team who had won the three games prior to this clash, scoring an incredible 15 goals across those matches. The hosts were gifted an early lead in just the 7th minute, Terrell Works capitalising on a defensive error. A fast attacking move in the 41st minute saw the hosts double their lead through Georgios Okkas just moments after Adler Nascimento missed a glowing chance to draw Palace level.
As the second half began Palace looked to get back into the game and put Fulham under pressure, but it was the home side who found the third goal of the game, Callum Osmand heading the ball into the bottom right corner.
Despite a late Palace push, the game would end 3-0 to the hosts.
Player Ratings
Joe Whitworth (GK) © - 6
A brief moment of miscommunication saw Fulham take the lead in the 7th minute as Whitworth’s pass towards Kaden Rodney was intercepted by Works, who carried forward and slotted home with ease. The Palace skipper made a strong save to keep the score at 1-0 but that wouldn’t last long, the hosts cutting through the Palace defence like a hot knife through butter, Okkas drilling a cutthroat low effort into the bottom right corner.
Fulham were clinical and punished Palace at every opportunity they got, Whitworth unable to prevent any of the three strikes.
Danny Imray - 7
It’s a slight travesty that Danny Imray wasn’t able to secure a loan move in the January window. As he tends to, he looked to be Palace’s most threatening player by some distance. The right-wing back looked confident on the ball and eager to get forward and make things happen. He found himself in behind the Fulham defence on multiple occasions in the first half but didn’t have the attacking support to find an assist.
The chances continued to come in the second 45 minutes, with Imray finding himself chances to shoot but not quite finding the target. He was denied by an incredible save in the 73rd minute as he met Mathurin’s cross at the back post.
Nathan Ferguson - 6.5
A handful of substitute appearances have been the latest stages of Ferguson’s recovery to full fitness, and the opportunity to start for the first time in almost six months came just in time for this game. He was deployed on the right of a back three, frequently bombing forward and providing overlapping runs for Danny Imray. His lack of match sharpness was exposed in the opening 30 minutes, where he was dispossessed and looked off the pace on multiple occasions. However, he began to grow into the game as the first half progressed. After an awful injury record, minutes on the pitch are crucial for Ferguson, and after 65, he was withdrawn - another step forward for him.
Craig Farquhar - 6.5
Farquhar defended well throughout the game and made a handful of crucial challenges and interceptions. He was able to display his passing ability and should’ve had an assist when he fired a ball over the top to Nascimento who couldn’t finish.
He provides an aerial threat at set pieces but severely lacks the ability to keep his attempts on target. He had numerous opportunities where he won headers from free kicks and corners, none better than in the 85th minute - a free header from no more than 7 yards out fired well over the bar. If he can address this flaw in his game he could find himself on the scoresheet an awful lot.
Mofe Jemide - 6
Jemide has had a strong season in the under-18s and has looked physically dominant throughout the campaign. He was rewarded with his first start at under-21 level against a very strong Fulham side, demonstrating the trust that the coaches in the academy have in his ability. Jemide was excellent when playing forward out of defence, especially with his line-breaking driven passes, however, his backpasses induce a nervousness reminiscent of watching Mamadou Sakho in his most terrifying moments.
Noah Watson - 5.5
As a natural centre-back with experience playing at full-back, Watson struggled to adapt to the LWB/LM role demanded of him in the new system, and looked both out of place and behind the pace of the game. Switching flanks midway through the second half seemed to do him well, however, and his passing improved as a result.
Kaden Rodney - 5.5
As Palace looked to play out from the back, Rodney was caught out when he was beaten to a loose Whitworth pass by Works on the edge of the box. The Fulham man eased through on goal and slotted home to give his side a 7th-minute lead. This put Palace on the back foot and allowed Fulham to begin playing their possession-based style early on, with Rodney and his teammates chasing shadows.
He looked comfortable on the ball at times and showed attacking intent as he looked to receive the ball on the half-turn, but ultimately struggled to make any sort of impact on the game.
Justin Devenny - 6
Devenny has been one of the standout performers in the under-21s this season. Following the change to a new system, he has found himself playing in the same role as Adam Wharton does in the first team. His engine is one of the best aspects of his game, making excellent runs forward but also recovering into his defensive shape when needed.
He played some excellent balls through to the forwards who struggled to time their runs and stay onside. At the end of the game, he struck a freekick just wide, a nearly moment which rather summed up the evening for his side.
Rohaun Mathurin - 6
As a byproduct of Palace’s extreme lack of squad depth, Mathurin’s performances for the under-21s and in training with the first team have earned him a place on the bench in back-to-back Premier League games. The winger returned to the 21s for this fixture and struggled to make his mark.
He had minimal opportunity to work his magic and spent the majority of the game chasing the ball as Fulham played fast, possession-based football. The best chance of the game came as a result of an excellent cross from his left foot, finding Danny Imray at the back post where a volleyed attempt drew an excellent save.
Victor Akinwale - 5
It feels like a stuck record with Akinwale in these match reports, but his performances are virtually identical week-in, week-out. He holds the ball up with relative success and wins fouls here and there, but he just doesn’t look like scoring. For a striker to still be searching for a first goal of the season in April suggests a huge lack of confidence which is an issue.
Palace have desperately missed Ademola Ola-Adebomi since he departed for Burton Albion on loan, and it looks as if there is a lack of cohesion in the forward line in his absence.
Adler Nascimento - 6
One of the brighter performances in the side, Nascimento looked to make things happen. He found himself a tad eager when played in behind as he was denied by the offside flag a number of times. His eye for a run in behind should have seen him draw his side level as he failed to beat the keeper from close range. In fact, it was just moments later that Fulham doubled their lead at the other end of the pitch.
Nascimento is still getting up to full speed and there is no doubt that he looks like an exciting talent. He just needs to be more clinical with his execution and decision-making.
Vonnte Williams (64th minute sub) - 7.5 (POTM)
Williams' introduction added a level of intensity to the Palace side which had lacked any form of bite prior to his introduction. He was keen to get on the ball and move it quickly, linking up well with Mathurin on multiple occasions. His pace gave Palace more attacking edge, and his crosses had much more quality than anyone else’s in their team, including one that put the ball on a plate for Craig Farquhar. Palace looked far more likely to find a goal in the final 25 minutes. Williams can be proud of his performance, making a strong claim for a place in the starting XI.
Joe Gibbard (64th minute sub) - 6.5
A proud moment for the Gibbard family as Joe made his first appearance for the Under-21s. The call-up is more than deserved after excellent, battling displays in the midfield for Rob Quinn’s side. He was introduced to this game in an unfamiliar right-wing position and put in a solid 25 minutes.
Player of the Match - Vonnte Williams
A player who is introduced in the 64th minute is rarely awarded player of the match, especially when his side have lost 3-0. However, Williams was more than worthy of this title. His introduction injected pace and intent to the Palace attack, and his performance certainly put him in the running for a starting place against Everton on Monday night
What We Learned
Whilst Darren Powell looks to replicate the formation and system that Oliver Glasner has brought to the club, his players are taking their time to adapt. There appeared to be an outstanding lack of fluidity between the front line and chances to threaten Fulham went missing as a result of poor decision-making in the final third.