By Mark Ritson at Craven Cottage.
CRYSTAL Palace ended their Premier League season with a 2-2 draw at relegated Fulham this afternoon.
The Eagles looked to have won it thanks to Dwight Gayle's stunning free-kick, only for Chris David to equalise with literally the last kick of the game with a brilliant finish.
Gayle had given Palace the lead from close range in the first half, before for Cauley Woodrow equalised in the second period.
Following his free-kick, Gayle could have had a hat-trick when Glenn Murray's shot came back off the crossbar and then off his body before going inches wide.
Tom Ince was inches away from giving Palace the lead after just two minutes when he collected the ball just inside the danger area and curled beyond Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale and the post.
Wayne Hennessey, making his debut in the Premier League and for Palace, was forced into a save at his near post from Alexander Kacaniklic following a short corner, before Marouane Chamakh nearly sent Dwight Gayle through after a poor pass from Brede Hangeland.
Following a superb long ball from Mile Jedinak, the ball fell to Gayle, who was clearly brought down on the edge of the box yet nothing was given by referee Kevin Friend.
Yannick Bolasie picked up to the pieces and turned Elsad Zverotic with a brilliant Cruyff turn before blazing wide.
At the other end, Damien Delaney came to the rescue with a last-gasp block to deny Cauley Woodrow's goal-bound shot.
Tom Ince and then Bolasie were denied one after another following a quick counter midway through the half, and the Eagles deservedly took the lead just shy of the half-hour mark through Gayle.
Joel Ward received a pass from Bolasie on the left before shooting towards goal and Gayle nipped in to tap home past Stockdale.
Bolasie nearly made it number two soon after when his curling shot was well held by the custodian.
And shortly before the break, Scott Dann was denied a header at the back post after a superb save from Stockdale.
Fulham did end the first period well though and Hennessey had to be at his best to deny Fernando Amorebieta at the back post.
Into the second period and Ward should have done better after collecting a pass on the left from Chamakh, before the striker himself hit the side-netting.
Fulham were denied an equaliser on 53 miniutes when Hugo Rodallega's header struck the foot of the post, before David volleyed over at the back post.
The Eagles were dealt a blow just before the hour-mark when Jedinak was forced off with an injury and was replaced by former Fulham man Kagisho Dikgacoi.
The hosts were back on level terms when Woodrow picked the ball up on the right side of the box before checking back onto his left foot and curling beyond Hennessey.
Ward saw a goal-bound effort deflected wide for a corner, before Pulis brought on Jason Puncheon and Glenn Murray for Ince and Chamakh.
The game began to peter out after 75 minutes with not much action at either end.
But Gayle had other ideas with several minutes remaining when he put Palace back in front with a stunning free-kick.
Standing around 20 yards out, the striker stepped up to curl home beyond Stockdale to send the Eagles fans crazy.
With the game drawing to a close and Palace looking to go home with all three points, David popped up with a top quality finish via the underside of the crossbar.
What a season it has been for Crystal Palace. Let's hope August hurries up – but of course, there's a World Cup to look forward to as well.
Palace: Hennessey, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Bolasie, Jedinak (Dikgacoi 59), Ledley, Ince, (Puncheon 71), Chamakh (Murray 74), Gayle.
Subs Not Used: Speroni, Gabbidon, O'Keefe, Jerome.
Attendance: 24,447
Referee: Kevin Friend
