Marco Silva reveals game plan that nullified Crystal Palace in Fulham’s 3-0 victory

Marco Silva thought his Fulham side were the best team on the pitch from the first minute in their 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.

The Cottagers took the lead in the 31st minute through Bobby De Cordova-Reid headed Aleksandar Mitrovic’s tantalising whipped cross into the area past Vicente Guaita.

Tyrick Mitchell was then sent off three minutes later after a late challenge on Dutch right-back Kenny Tete.

Palace were reduced to nine men in the second half after James Tomkins was issued with a second yellow card after he blocked Mitrovic on his route to goal.

Silva’s side doubled their lead in the 71st minute when Tim Ream reacted quickest to Mitrovic’s header down inside the area.

The Serbian forward scored Fulham’s third in the 80th minute to move Fulham up to eighth in the Premier League table.

“We had a plan and the players stuck really well with the plan,” said Silva.

“It was the way we came here and were brave from the first minute – they [Palace] have won their last three home games in a row.

“When they have players such as Zaha, Eze, Olise and Ayew in the front line, if you don’t press them from the first minute with a good organisation, it will be tough for you.

“But I think we did it really well. Pressing Andersen and Tomkins was our idea [towards] the game.

“The plan went really well. We were the best team on the pitch from the first minute. We started to control the game.

“After the red card, we controlled the game and showed the maturity that we have to play with against these types of sides.”

PICTURE: PA