Four takeaways from Crystal Palace’s 2-2 draw at Fulham – Fast Edouard on the mark as Ward plays his way into new deal

BY ADAM SELLS

Crystal Palace picked up a point in their 2-2 draw at Fulham on Saturday, with goals from Odsonne Edouard and Joel Ward.

Here are Adam Sells’ takeaways from the Cottage:

A WELL-EARNED POINT

 Palace were very much worthy of a point in this London derby. The Eagles finished the stronger of the two sides, and had the game gone on another five minutes, they may have won it – both were points made by boss Roy Hodgson during his post-match press conference.

It was a game that took a while to come to the boil, but it was an entertaining encounter. There are few better places to watch football when the sun is shining.

The first half was disjointed, with the stop-start nature not helped by so many players rolling around. Football is often described as ‘theatre’ and there was more a bit too much of that in a literal sense during the opening 45 minutes.

Conceding a penalty on the stroke of half-time gave the team talks in the respective dressing rooms a different feel.

Going behind after the break, Palace were reliant of a brilliant flying Sam Johnstone save to deny Willian but were always in the game, and few could deny they were worthy of a share of the spoils.

FULHAM A LITTLE TOO CUTE

It’s not often that Aleksandar Mitrovic would be described as ‘cute’, but the Serbian certainly was here in the clever sense.

He lost his man in the box to find his way across the defensive line to power a header home from Willian’s free-kick midway through the second half.

The penalty conceded had a similar feel, as Harry Wilson saw Tyrick Mitchell about to commit himself and check inside to instigate contact.

Referee Josh Smith, inexperienced at Premier League level, wanted to keep the game flowing in a good spirit, but seemed reluctant to use any lead in his pencil until late on.

One occasion particularly stood out, allowing a cynical, professional foul by Joao Palhinha on Marc Guehi when Palace counter-attacked to go without the appearance of a yellow card.

The Fulham midfielder was latterly booked during the second period and could count himself very fortunate to have stayed on the pitch.

FAST EDDIE ON THE MARK

Odsonne Edouard had been subject to some negative reports this week following a court rap for several driving offences.

Here, his speed was very much a positive, as he clicked into gear during a first-half counterattack to steer the ball past Bernd Leno adroitly.

The enigmatic French striker has undoubted quality, as he has shown in the past two seasons, but he seems a confidence player. Fast and sleek at his best, Palace must hope there is more to come.

Let’s hope that the ‘jump-start’ effect that Roy Hodgson has had on the squad sees Edouard perfectly tuned for next season.

EVERGREEN WARD HAS STILL GOT IT

Joel Ward scored Palace’s late equaliser, displaying the instinct of a top-class finisher. Evergreen and ever-popular, the full-back has surely played himself into another deal for next season.

Aptly wearing the captain’s armband today, Ward has been superb in the past six weeks or so and looks to be really enjoying his football under Roy Hodgson.

His goal today was a just reward for his efforts. Ward’s attacking prowess has been a noticeable feature of Roy’s recent reign, driving forward and finding himself in the final third, just as he was today to hook home after his initial effort was saved.

A £400,000 signing, with 11 seasons passed, and the former Portsmouth defender is likely to provide even greater value to his employers.

Pound for pound, he is possibly the club’s greatest-ever acquisition.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD