Tom Cairney came off the bench to earn Fulham a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace’s festive spell extended into the new year and extended the Eagles’ winless run to five games.
Having lost three on the bounce to end 2025, Oliver Glasner’s side will have made their New Year’s resolution to ensure Palace convert their chances come true when Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring.
The France international ended an eight-match run without a goal from open play when he met an inviting Nathaniel Clyne cross to head home. However, Fulham captain Cairney, a second-half substitute for Sander Berge, fired home from the edge of the box with his first goal of the season.
A lackluster start from both sides ensured the penultimate a game had seen a shot in the Premier League this season with 23 minutes on the clock. Both sides, unchanged for the clash, perhaps played a part in a slow start.
However, Fulham looked more likely in the early exchanges. The away side came closest when Raul Jimenez spoiled an effort in a flurry of Fulham chances which also saw Dean Henderson deflect a venomous Harry Wilson effort.
But Marc Guehi, who got a stop from Bernd Leno, looked to have lifted the home side, who would then find the lead eight minutes later.
Fulham continued their pursuit and came even closer when Jimenez’s header bounced off the upright in the second period. But shortly after his introduction, Cairney became the fifth-oldest Fulham goalscorer at 34 years and 346 days, stripping off his shirt in the 3C cold as he drove off to celebrate.
A point for Fulham almost made it three, but Henderson responded to a blank area to deny Jimenez in stoppage time.
In a result that does little for either side with Fulham and Palace still level on points in ninth and tenth, Glasner will be hoping a reportedly imminent Brennan Johnson transfer closes quickly to help inspire his free-falling side.
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Tom Cairney equalizes for Fulham against Crystal Palace!