Schlupp and Zaha give clinical Palace 2-0 win at Fulham

LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Fine goals by Jeffrey Schlupp and Wilfried Zaha helped Crystal Palace to a 2-0 win at Fulham in a lively Premier League match at Craven Cottage on Saturday as the home side endured a disappointing return to the top flight.

Ghanaian midfielder Schlupp struck against the run of play in the 41st minute with a fierce shot from a tight angle and Zaha sealed the win in the closing stages when he rounded Fulham goalkeeper Fabri and slotted the ball into an empty net.

Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey made a string of good saves in the opening half, twice denying Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after he had also kept out a long-range shot from right back Cyrus Christie.

The visitors had the upper hand after the break and although Zaha saw his close-range volley kept out by Fabri on the hour, the livewire Ivorian forward made no mistake in the 79th minute after a defence-splitting pass by Aaron-Wan Bissaka. (Writing by Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Neville Dalton)