‘Buzzing’ – Emile Smith Rowe enjoys return to home turf as he stars for Fulham at Crystal Palace
It was a homecoming of sorts for the Whites playmaker, who was born in Thornton Heath.
Smith-Rowe, 24, put the west Londoners ahead in the first half after Maxence Lacroix lost possession – his third goal since a summer move from Arsenal.
He was denied a second by the tightest of VAR offside calls before substitute Harry Wilson extended Fulham’s lead in the 83rd minute.
Marco Silva’s side are seventh in the Premier League table after back-to-back victories – Wilson scoring two stoppage time goals in the 2-1 defeat of Brentford.
“To win two London derbies is a good feeling – I’m buzzing,” said Smith Rowe. “We tried to work on our pressing from the front in training, so it was good to see it come off and a good assist from Raul [Jimenez].”
Alex Iwobi’s pass put in Wales international Wilson to beat Palace keeper Dean Henderson.
“I trust King H when he gets into that goalscoring position,” said Iwobi, who was highlighted post-match by Silva as Fulham’s best performer this season. “Ninety per cent of the time he is taking his chance.
“Every time I’ve had the opportunity to play here (Selhurst Park) it has been hard and difficult. The fact we had a game plan and were able to stick to it as well is credit to ourselves.
“But it doesn’t stop here. We have to carry on with this momentum.”
Fulham have won six of their last 10 Premier League derbies, drawing three and losing once.
The Whites are at home to Wolves on November 23.