Two tests on the edge of the abyss: will Arbeloa become the first coach to be sacked in the Premier League?

The former Real Madrid coach suffered three consecutive defeats

This was not the start to the "Arbeloa era" that Fulham's fans had been dreaming of. A win over third-tier Wimbledon in the League Cup had offered a glimmer, but the team then slumped to a third defeat in three Premier League matches, beaten at home this Saturday by Crystal Palace (3-2).

Fulham did not play a bad match. They were the better side for long periods, only to lack cutting edge in front of goal and struggle defensively against a Palace side who scored their three goals from just five shots on target, according to the Spanish newspaper "Marca".

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César Palacios stood out as one of Fulham's best performers. He teed up the second goal by seizing on a good run from Joshua King, who had put the hosts in front.

Then came Tyrick Mitchell to crush Fulham's hopes of a point. He pounced on confusion in the hosts' defence to level at 2-2, before playing a hand in the turnaround that Ben Chilwell completed with a third goal in the 77th minute, once again exploiting a Fulham backline in disarray.

This defeat leaves Arbeloa's Premier League start in tatters. Zero points from the opening three matches have dumped the team into the relegation zone.

The road only gets tougher. Fulham face two heavyweight tests next, away to Liverpool at Anfield, then Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

Fail to take something from Liverpool and Manchester United, and the future of the former Real Madrid coach will be on the line at the start of the new season.