Palace were second best for much of the game but won through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after Fulham spurned a host of opportunities.

It eased the pressure on the visitors’ under-fire manager, whose side have slumped to 17th in the Premier League table after suffering back-to-back defeats.

Supporters in the away end sang Sage’s name late in the first half, encouraging signs that despite suffering for long periods in west London, for now at least, he retains the backing of the fans.

“The fans are really behind us,” he said. “They are happy when the team is like this. The connection between them and us is better when we play like this, when we fight on the pitch.

“It’s not only about the result. It’s about what kind of team we are and what kind of play we are able to do. I think we struggled a lot in the play, because (Fulham) had the initiative. But we defended the small things we built.

“That was the way to win. It’s not the ideal way, but sometimes it’s good to win (like this). I’m happy for them.”

Sage was seen blowing a kiss towards the crowd at the final whistle, but asked whether it was meant for supporters, he said: “It was to my wife. I like the fans but I love my wife.”

There were more promising signs for Palace after Cheick Doucoure made his first start in 662 days, with the midfielder’s time at Selhurst Park having been wrecked so far by injury.

The 26-year-old had not featured at all since the 2024-25 season having suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and then a torn knee meniscus, but was able to play for an hour.

“For me it’s the beautiful thing of the day,” said Sage. “He’s suffered a lot, waited a lot, fought a lot to come back. He has the pleasure to be on the pitch and to play football.

“You understand the really important thing. For him and for his team-mates, the most important thing is to see him happy.”

For Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, it brought an end to his side’s recent good run.

Fulham had won their last two matches in the Premier League against Hull and Coventry to lift themselves up the table, but this was a return to the trend of Arbeloa’s early weeks in charge when the team created plenty but were unable to take chances.

“I think we can do better,” he said. “We have to move the ball quicker against a very low block.

“we need to create more chances in the wide areas. We need to understand how to attack a team like Crystal Palace.”