July 30 2016

Speroni made an error that led to a Fulham goal

Crystal Palace lost their first game of pre-season with a 3-1 reverse at Fulham.

Eagles manager Alan Pardew put out a strong side against the Championship opponents at Craven Cottage but with Jordon Mutch playing in an unfamiliar striker's role.

Although the South Londoners had chances to break the deadlock in the opening stages, it was the Whites who went in front on 36 minutes when Tom Cairney fed Sone Aluko a fine through ball and he rounded Julian Speroni to score.

A mistake from Speroni 10 minutes into the second half helped Fulham to extend their lead as the Argentine stopper failed to deal with Aluko's cross and allowed Matt Smith to steal in to score the easiest of goals.

Substitute Keshi Anderson pulled a goal back for Palace 12 minutes later for his maiden strike in the red and blue shirt after collecting Academy teammate Luke Dreher's assist.

And Fulham added some gloss to the scoreline with a stoppage time goal through Floyd Ayite.

Fulham: Joronen, Odoi, Kalas, Madl, Sessegnon, Tunnicliffe (Parker 64), McDonald, Cairney, Ayite, Aluko (Stearman 85), Smith (Christensen 71).

Not used: Rodak.

Palace: Speroni, Ward (Kelly 75), Dann, Delaney, Souare (Croll 71), Jedinak (Williams 82), Puncheon (Dreher 71), Zaha (Kaikai 78), Townsend (Lee 75), Bolasie (Wickham 45), Mutch (Anderson 62).

Not used: Perntreou, Binnom-Williams, Wynter.