Half-Time Report: Fulham strike late to lead

Fulham have taken a 2-1 lead into the halfway stage of their match against Crystal Palace this evening courtesy of two goal of the season contenders.

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The hosts took the lead after just seven minutes when Adrian Mariappa climbed higher than Brede Hangeland to thump his header past Maarten Stekelenburg from a corner.

Fulham were level 12 minutes later, however, as Pajtim Kasami chested the ball down while running away from goal before unleashing a fine volley to beat Julian Speroni in the Palace goal.

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Yannick Bolasie had a chance to restore his side's lead 10 minutes before the break, but he tamely shot into the arms of Stekelenburg when he may have been better suited looking for a teammate.

The visitors took the lead right on the stroke of half time with another fine goal, this time courtesy of Steve Sidwell's volley into the top corner after Bryan Ruiz saw his free kick deflect off the wall.