Fulham’s César Palacios sends West Ham out as a goal and assist put the Cottagers through
César Palacios had the sort of League Cup night that can alter a young player’s place in the pecking order. The 21-year-old midfielder, signed from Real Madrid for €10 million, supplied a goal and an assist as Fulham beat West Ham 3-2 to reach the last 16, making himself difficult to ignore in Álvaro Arbeloa’s plans.
Palacios, born in Soria in 2004 and capped by Spain at under-19 level, played with the freedom of a midfielder arriving from deep. In the 13th minute he reached the byline and picked out Rodrigo Muniz with a measured cross, the striker heading Fulham in front.
He then scored the visitors’ second on 37 minutes. Joachim Andersen’s long pass found Palacios in space, and his first touch took him beyond the immediate danger before he finished coolly past Finlay Herrick, who had come off his line. It was an especially notable contribution on the evening Manuel Ángel made his debut.
Arbeloa felt there was still more in Palacios’s display. “César was very good,” the Fulham manager said. “He made the assist, scored a good goal and might even have had another one or two.”
The manager widened the point beyond one player, stressing the need for patience with Fulham’s younger group. He said the club had plenty of talented youngsters who needed support and time to develop, adding that they already showed quality and a sound understanding of the game and should improve through the season.
Palacios was involved in all parts of the contest rather than merely the decisive moments. He had four shots, more than any other Fulham player, completed two dribbles, made three tackles and attempted 57 passes. Operating chiefly from the left-sided inside channel, he helped Fulham play through pressure and linked quickly in the final third.
There was nearly a late flourish in the 93rd minute. Palacios robbed Konstantinos Mavropanos, skipped beyond Max Kilman and beat Herrick’s advance, only for his right-footed effort from a tight position to drift wide.
It was a timely response after he had not been used in Fulham’s 0-0 draw at Liverpool at Anfield. Palacios had already opened his Premier League scoring account against Crystal Palace, although that strike came in a 3-2 Fulham defeat. This time, his contribution carried far greater reward: a place in the next round and another encouraging mark beside a young midfielder’s name.
SEO Title: César Palacios goal and assist send Fulham into League Cup last 16
SEO Description: César Palacios starred with a goal and an assist as Fulham beat West Ham 3-2 in the League Cup, earning praise from manager Álvaro Arbeloa.
