LONDON DERBY STUNNER: MARC GUEHI SENDS CRYSTAL PALACE INTO PREMIER LEAGUE TOP FOUR
Crystal Palace surged into the Premier League top four after Marc Guehi's dramatic 87th-minute header secured a 2-1 victory over Fulham in a thrilling London derby.
Marc Guehi's late goal secured a 2-1 win for Crystal Palace against Fulham at Craven Cottage, pushing them up to fourth place in the Premier League.
In this London derby, both teams were evenly matched. Harry Wilson's amazing goal for Fulham cancelled out Eddie Nketiah's earlier score, which came in his first league start of the season.
Oliver Glasner, the Eagles' manager, decided to reinforce his midfield, which helped his team finish strong. Fulham had put Palace under pressure, and a goal by Emile Smith Rowe was disallowed by VAR for offside.
Smith Rowe almost put Fulham ahead in the eighth minute after Alex Iwobi's low corner was deflected just over the bar.
After withstanding Fulham's early pressure, Palace took the lead in the 20th minute. Adam Wharton's excellent pass found Nketiah, who calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner.
Fulham thought they had equalised four minutes later when Sander Berge set up Smith Rowe, but his shot was saved by Palace's goalkeeper, Dean Henderson.
Fulham responded strongly and soon had another chance when Iwobi's weak shot went straight at Henderson after Palace struggled to clear Samuel Chukwueze's cross.
Fulham's deserved equaliser came in the 38th minute when Wilson exchanged passes with Raul Jimenez and scored with a great outside-of-the-left-foot finish from the edge of the box.
The first half ended with the score tied, but Palace could have regained the lead shortly after the break when Jean-Philippe Mateta missed wide after being set up by Yeremy Pino.
Fulham then thought they had taken the lead in the 51st minute when Smith Rowe scored on the rebound after Iwobi's header hit the post.
However, VAR disallowed the goal for a close offside against Chukwueze, whose cross had caused Palace problems earlier.
Palace almost went ahead themselves when Nketiah tried to force in Tyrick Mitchell's cross, but Timothy Castagne cleared the ball off the line for Fulham.
After being under pressure for most of the game, Palace finished strongly. Christantus Uche almost scored from Mitchell's cross but was denied by Fulham's goalkeeper, Bernd Leno.
In the 87th minute, Guehi headed in Pino's corner, securing the win and moving Palace into the Champions League spots.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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