Cairney’s Late Stunner Denies Palace as Fulham Snatch Point at Selhurst Park
So this one finished all square at Selhurst Park, but it definitely didn’t feel like a quiet 1-1 draw if you watched it unfold. Crystal Palace and Fulham shared the points in a tense Premier League clash, and once again, it was late drama that shaped the final story.
Palace actually started this game looking sharper and more purposeful, especially in the first half. Despite a packed December schedule clearly taking its toll, the home side showed decent energy early on. That pressure finally paid off just before the break. Nathaniel Clyne floated a clever cross into the box, and Jean-Philippe Mateta rose above everyone to power home a header. It was a deserved moment for Palace, and at that stage, it felt like they had done enough to take control heading into halftime.
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But after the restart, the momentum slowly shifted. Fulham began to see more of the ball, moved it with greater confidence, and started testing Palace’s resolve. Raul Jimenez came close when his header struck the post, a warning sign that Palace couldn’t ignore. The Eagles, who had looked comfortable earlier, were gradually pushed deeper, and their energy levels visibly dropped as the game wore on.
Then came the turning point in the 80th minute. Tom Cairney, introduced from the bench, produced a moment of pure quality. From the edge of the area, the Fulham midfielder curled a stunning shot into the corner, leaving Dean Henderson with no chance. It was one of those goals that instantly changes the mood in the stadium, and suddenly, Fulham believed they could go on and win it.
In fact, they probably should have. In stoppage time, Timothy Castagne was denied by a sharp save from Henderson, and Joachim Andersen blazed over from close range when the goal was there to be hit. Palace, at that stage, were hanging on, and the final whistle likely came as a relief for Oliver Glasner’s side.
The draw means Palace’s winless run continues, stretching their frustration a little further as they struggle to convert solid performances into victories. Fulham, on the other hand, will feel encouraged. They are now unbeaten in four league matches, and the resilience shown after falling behind highlighted why Marco Silva’s team have quietly climbed into the top half of the table.
In the end, it was a match defined by control in one half and character in the other. Palace showed effort but faded, while Fulham stayed patient and were rewarded through Cairney’s moment of brilliance. One point each felt fair on the balance of play, but both sides walked away knowing it could have been more.
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