Ben Chilwell’s cheeky comeback after his ‘shanked’ winner lights up Crystal Palace’s derby victory

When Ben Chilwell stepped back onto a Palace shirt for the first time in almost three years, the pressure was obvious. The former Chelsea defender had been out of form, had a handful of injuries, and now found himself in a ferocious South London derby against Fulham.

It didn’t take long for the drama to unfold. Palace surged ahead, Fulham equalised, and the game teetered on a knife‑edge. Then, in the 94th minute, Chilwell curled a shot from the edge of the box that looked… well, a bit off‑target. The ball barely grazed the post before slipping in. Fans and pundits alike immediately dubbed it a "shank", but the scoreboard didn’t lie – Palace were up 3‑2.

In the moments after the final whistle, a lone vocal supporter from the home side started chanting a jab at Chilwell, calling him a “Chelsea reject”. The jeer was loud enough that even the television microphones caught it. For a split‑second you could see the defender’s eyebrows twitch, as if weighing whether to ignore the taunt or reply.

Instead of a stoic silence, Chilwell chose the more playful route. He turned to the crowd, raised his arm, and flashed a cheeky gesture – a classic “take the L” hand sign that seemed to say, “You wanted a reaction? Here it is.” The moment broke the tension and earned a few laughs from neutral fans watching at home.

Later, in the post‑match interview, Chilwell laughed off the criticism. “It felt a little bit like a win, even if the strike was… not the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen,” he said, grinning. “I’m just happy the team got the three points, and I’ll take any reaction that shows the fans are passionate.”

The win lifted Palace to 12th place, pulling them clear of the relegation battle, while Fulham slipped further down the table, marking their third straight loss. Manager Marco Silva praised Chilwell’s impact, noting that the defender’s confidence has clearly returned. “Ben showed us what he can do when he believes in himself,” Silva added.

For Chilwell, the night was more than just a goal; it was a statement that his return to Selhurst Park is still very much a work in progress, but one that’s already delivering moments that fans will talk about for weeks. Whether you call it a “shank” or a “heroic strike”, the fact remains – it was the difference between a draw and three vital points.