Crystal Palace and Fulham shared the points in a fiercely contested 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park to kick off the New Year. The result sees both sides continue their unbeaten start to 2026 after a hard-fought encounter in South London.
Jean-Philippe Mateta broke the deadlock for the Eagles in the 39th minute, ending a personal goal drought that had stretched across his previous eight appearances. The French striker powered home a close-range header from a pinpoint cross by veteran defender Nathaniel Clyne, who had done superbly to beat his man.
Fulham, missing several key players due to the Africa Cup of Nations and injury, showed impressive resilience to fight back. They were denied an equaliser earlier when Raul Jimenez struck the post, but veteran midfielder Tom Cairney finally found the breakthrough, curling in a superb finish with ten minutes remaining to secure a point for the Cottagers.
Mateta's Vital Return to Form
After a stellar 2025, Mateta had ended the year in a difficult patch, managing just one goal in eight games while nursing a knee issue. His early involvement in this match was also limited, but he demonstrated his predatory instincts when the chance arrived.
The goal, created by the 34-year-old Clyne rolling back the years, sparked Palace into life. Under manager Oliver Glasner, the team had looked sluggish until that moment. The strike ignited a period of pressure where Clyne, Yeremy Pino, and Will Hughes all went close before the interval, while Maxence Lacroix missed a golden opportunity after the break.
"It was important for him and us that JP scored," Glasner said post-match. "Every striker can struggle, it's completely normal. The only one who doesn't is Haaland but I always trust JP. He's always hard-working, even if he's not at his best levels, and he got rewarded today."
Record Signing Johnson Set to Boost Eagles' Attack
The match highlighted a key area where Palace are seeking reinforcement. The club's ambition is clear with their move to break their transfer record for Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson, in a deal understood to be worth around £35 million.
Johnson's impending arrival addresses a critical need for more cutting edge and pace in the final third, qualities that were sometimes lacking against Fulham. With Ismaila Sarr at AFCON and Eddie Nketiah injured, the creative burden has fallen heavily on Spaniard Yeremy Pino.
While Pino showed improvement in this fixture, the addition of the Welsh international Johnson is expected to provide vital support and energy to a frontline that has occasionally laboured during a packed schedule. His goal threat could be the difference in turning hard-fought draws into wins.
Fulham's Squad Depth Shines Through
Marco Silva will be immensely proud of his team's character. Depleted by the absence of Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze at AFCON, and further hampered by injuries to Kenny Tete and Josh King, Fulham's resolve was severely tested.
Yet, they have now taken seven points from their last three matches since their African contingent departed. Key players stepped up: Andreas Pereira was lively, Emile Smith Rowe linked play effectively in midfield, and Raul Jimenez led the line with authority. The decisive contribution, however, came from the bench through Tom Cairney's excellent finish.
"The reaction was very good even before the goal and it was a great finish from Tom," Silva stated. "I’m very pleased with the ambition we showed at the end of the game, pushing to win, and we probably deserved more." Fulham came agonisingly close to a winner in injury time, but Dean Henderson produced a stunning save to deny Timothy Castagne before Joachim Andersen blazed the rebound over.
The draw leaves both teams with positives to build upon as the January transfer window opens and the Premier League season enters its decisive phase.
