Aston Villa can breathe easily again. Referee Anthony Taylor, who hadn't called a penalty, then checks on the VAR monitor to see if he is wrong. He has a look and decides, no, he was right all along.

No penalty, Villa remain 1-0 up.

Probably the right decision as contact by Matthew Cash on Patrick van Aanholt was minimal.

Ah great chance! Ruben Loftus-Cheek gets away down the Fulham right and puts in a great cross, it is picked up by Ademola Lookman beyond the far post.

He takes his time, doesn't panic and plays in the fast-arriving André-Frank Zambo Anguissa. The big midfielder is only about eight yards out but totally duffs the shot - it hits his standing leg and bounces away.

Oh dear.

Anthony Taylor goes to have a watch of the incident. Are we going to have a Palace penalty?

A challenge by Villa's Matthew Cash on Crystal Palace's Patrick van Aanholt goes to VAR.

Nervous moments for Villa.

Crystal Palace have a corner from the right wing, but Eberechi Eze's delivery is cleared and Palace are suddenly in a world of trouble.

Bertrand Traore leads the Villa lightning charge down field and slides in Jack Grealish, who takes a touch to be through on goal.

Grealish strikes hard and low, but Vicente Guaita does excellently to deny Villa a second and maybe keep Palace in the game.

Alan Hutton
Former Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Southampton's James Ward-Prowse has the lot, not just his passing ability, but he works so hard for the team, breaks up play. It's good to watch.

Fulham are playing like a team that want to get up the table and doing excellently.

Lots of bright play, sure but no shot on target for either side yet. Without Danny Ings and Aleksandar Mitrovic on the pitch we could be heading for a big nil-nil.

Alan Hutton
Former Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Fulham are moving the ball really quickly, playing one-twos, they're really sharp. They are out-playing Southampton, who usually do that to other teams.

It has indeed been all Fulham so far, they've had 60% of the ball and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa is standing out in midfield. Do they look like scoring though?

That is the killer question.

Bertrand Traore already has one goal and he's so, so close to a second. He collects it on the right flank, but he's so direct and so fast once he's shifted it on to his left and cut inside.

He produces an angled shot from the edge of the penalty area and it beats Guaita, but bounces off the foot of the left-hand post.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on BBC One

One thing that may benefit Crystal Palace today is that Aston Villa tend to keep a really high line. Palace nearly got in with Wilfried Zaha but they've had really little or no play since that move. Perhaps something they can work on more.

Alan Hutton
Former Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I really like what I am seeing from Fulham, you would never know they are within the relegation places. I much prefer them playing this 4-2-3-1. Bobby De Cordova-Reid drops in to help Ola Aina when they are defending, against Theo Walcott. They look more solid.

Since that opening minute save by Emiliano Martinez to deny Wilfried Zaha, it's been all Aston Villa.

Traore has scored one and nearly makes one as he, from deep, sends in a great cross and Tyrone Mings just can't get his head on it and Vicente Guaita gratefully grabs the ball.

Alan Hutton
Former Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It has been a really good start from Fulham, they have settled into the game really well.

On the penalty appeal, it has hit Jan Bednarek's arm but it was close to his body.

Roy Hodgson is now into the top 10 for Premier League games managed, but he's not made a good start to match number 341.

Fulham are well on top and they want a penalty here! The ball is flicked on to Jan Bednarek's arm, referee Darren England is right there and says no!

VAR don't want to start a Christmas argument and stay quiet. Who knows - but that would have been given a month or so ago, I'm sure.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on BBC One

Ollie Watkins making the movement basically gone from one end of the pitch to the other. No sign of any Crystal Palace defenders, the time Watkins has. Great save from the keeper for the first shot and Bertrand Traore coming on to that on his unfavoured right foot and nobody's anywhere near him.

Traore is in really good form at the moment and he's just tucked that one away nicely.

Fulham put together a cracking move which pulls Southampton over - Antonee Robinson delivers the sort of cross Aleksandar Mitrovic dreams of but he's on the bench and Bobby Reid is too short to reach.

Fulham are pressing the Saints really high up the field and force Alex McCarthy into a wayward ball out of play. Open enough start at the Cottage.