Fulham 2-2 Ipswich

Fulham began 2025 with a point at Craven Cottage, drawing 2-2 with Ipswich Town.

Despite a largely controlled first-half display, the Tractor Boys went into the interval with the advantage as Sammie Szmodics punished a defensive error.

The second period was a story of three penalties. Raúl Jiménez got Fulham back on level terms from 12 yards, only for Liam Delap to convert down the other end 60 seconds later. But Jiménez rescued a point for Fulham in stoppage-time to make it eight Premier League games undefeated.

Fulham nearly took the lead in extraordinary circumstances as Tom Cairney’s overhit cross almost turned into a wonder goal, leaving Christian Walton panicking as the ball landed on top of his net.

Plenty of pressure followed, but Walton wasn’t forced into action until the 20^th minute, but it was a fine reaction save to deny Jiménez’s powerful header from a curling Cairney cross.

Harry Wilson threatened to race through on goal when he was deliberately dragged down by Leif Davis outside the box, but Darren Bond opted to show the Ipswich defender just a yellow card, much to the home crowd’s frustration.

Against the run of play, it was Ipswich who took the lead shortly before the interval. Ben Johnson’s thunderous header at the back post bounced back off the crossbar and Calvin Bassey wasn’t able to clear his lines when the ball fell at his feet. The defender was only able to kick it as far as Szmodics, who was lurking inside the box, and he rifled a shot home from eight yards.

While Fulham dominated the ball in the early stages of the second period, the Tractor Boys continued to frustrate Marco Silva’s side. It took until the hour mark for our first chance of the half to arrive, but Alex Iwobi’s left-footed strike from a tight angle was high and wide.

Opportunities then began to arrive with more regularity as Emile Smith Rowe couldn’t quite guide his back post header into the bottom corner following a teasing cross from the right.

Despite the ball almost constantly being in the Ipswich half up to this point, Leno had to make sure he was alert to keep out Nathan Broadhead’s powerful volley following smart play from Delap.

Wilson was fouled for the second time in the game in the 65^th minute, left tumbling in the box from a clumsy foul from Sam Morsy. Bond didn’t initially award a penalty, but after a VAR review, a spot kick was given.

Jiménez made no mistake from 12 yards, calmly slotting the ball past Walton to hand Fulham a route back into the game.

Just 60 seconds later, a penalty was awarded at the other end, with Delap adjudged to have been fouled by Timothy Castagne. Delap’s penalty was emphatic, rocketing the ball into the right side of the net from the spot.

As Fulham searched for an equaliser, Jiménez watched another header whistle narrowly wide as he rose highest to meet Antonee Robinson’s free-kick.

Jiménez was to have the final say in the contest though as yet another penalty was awarded with a minute of normal time to play. After being tripped by Davis, Jiménez found the back of the net from 12 yards again, sending Walton the wrong way with an unstoppable spot kick.