Smith was a coach at Craven Cottage before moving to Palace, and said: "I'll just say that Fulham played really well - they are an exceptional team.

"But it's taken them three years to get where they are and we can't do that in three months."

Smith went over all 'Ron Manager' when eulogising about the team, who he compared to a legend of the past.

"I was here at Fulham when it started but I never thought it would go as far as this. Johnny Haynes would be proud of them. I can't see anyone stopping them.

"I get disappointed when people don't see what they have done. It hasn't happened overnight, there have been changes in personnel and hard work all round to bring this about."