Defender Joachim Andersen delivered a stunning performance as Fulham beat Crystal Palace 2-0 to climb up to seventh on the Premier League table. The Cottagers are flying high in the top flight and have now won five games from 11 (L3, D3).
The Dane was solid at the back, winning six of his nine duels as they kept only a second clean sheet in the league.
He also blocked one shot and made five clearances, including one off the line, to keep them in the game. Premier League legend Alan Shearer raved about the clearance and performance.
“Produced a sensational goalline clearance as he marked his return to Crystal Palace with a commanding display,” Shearer said (the Premier League website).
Interestingly, minutes after the clearance, his replacement at Palace, Maxence Lacroix, made a catastrophic error that allowed Fulham to go 0-1 up.
Palace’s decision to let Andersen return to Fulham was horrendous. The 28-year-old is shining in West London, as expected, while his replacement has been abysmal.
Besides the clearance, the former Lyon star was stellar on the ball, completing eight out of 15 long balls and 77 of 88 passes.
Andersen has been excellent this season, winning 61% of his aerial and 54% of his ground duels while scoring twice, showing his danger in the opponent’s box.
Another player who has been phenomenal for the Cottagers this term is playmaker Emile Smith Rowe. The former Arsenal man claimed his third Man of the Match award of the season following his efforts back in his home town on Saturday.
Smith Rowe scored and created two chances to spearhead Fulham to the win alongside attacking pair Alex Iwobi and the in-form Harry Wilson.
After the international break, Fulham welcome 19th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to Craven Cottage. Wolves just secured their first three points of the season against Southampton and will be eager to keep that momentum going.