Dean Henderson has called on Crystal Palace to build on their Carabao Cup success at Fulham after returning to the side in Wednesday’s 1-0 victory. The result sent the Eagles through to the quarter-finals and ended a difficult spell for their captain, who had been sidelined since Palace’s previous win at Craven Cottage on 5 September.
Henderson was pleased to be back in front of the Palace supporters and credited the club’s medical team for helping him return. He also pointed to the growing unity within the squad, saying the players have confidence in the manager’s instructions and must now turn that belief into momentum over the coming weeks.
Palace made 10 changes for the trip across London, but still produced a determined performance against Fulham. Henderson praised the players who came into the team, noting that several had not played regularly, while also highlighting the impact made by the substitutes as the match reached its closing stages.
The goalkeeper believes victories such as this can prove important in cup competitions, particularly when a much-changed team manages to reach the next round. Palace now face another London derby at Tottenham Hotspur, and Henderson wants the squad to approach the fixture with confidence despite a demanding run of matches ahead.
He also welcomed Cheick Doucouré’s return to competitive starting action. The midfielder made his first competitive start in around 662 days, and Henderson expressed his pride in the way Doucouré handled the occasion. He said Palace will focus on helping the midfielder rebuild his confidence and consistency as he works towards becoming an important player for the club again.
With difficult fixtures to come, Henderson stressed the need for resilience and urged the supporters to remain behind the team. Palace will hope the Fulham victory can provide the platform for more positive results in the weeks ahead.
