The Premier League rang in the new year with a fierce all-London clash at Selhurst Park, as Crystal Palace and Fulham battled to a 1-1 draw in a match loaded with drama, tactical intrigue, and late heroics. On a brisk January 1 afternoon, both sides arrived with plenty at stake—Palace desperate to halt a worrying winless run and Fulham eyeing a record-equalling fourth straight league victory. The result? A captivating contest that left neither side entirely satisfied, but gave fans plenty to talk about.
Crystal Palace entered the fixture in a rut, their early-season brilliance dimmed by a five-match winless streak, which stretched to six after this result. The Eagles, managed by Oliver Glasner, had just lost 1-0 to Tottenham at the weekend and were feeling the effects of a grueling December—eight matches in just 25 days, spanning Premier League, Conference League, and League Cup action. The squad, already stretched thin, was in what Glasner called "survival mode." As he put it, "As long as the legs did what we wanted them to do, we were OK. I have huge appreciation for the players—I can see their effort. We have so many games and the squad is quite short of numbers, but they give everything they have. I know these players will give their best in every single game."
Fulham, on the other hand, arrived at Selhurst Park riding a wave of confidence. Marco Silva’s men were unbeaten in their last three league games, having climbed into the top half of the table for the first time in three months after a string of victories since December 7. Their most recent triumph, a 1-0 win away at West Ham, had set them up nicely for the new year. The Cottagers, once flirting with the relegation zone, were now eyeing upward mobility and a statement win against a London rival.
The match itself was a tale of two halves. Palace, buoyed by their home support, started brightly. They pressed Fulham high and created the better chances in the opening period. Marc Guehi forced a strong save from Fulham keeper Bernd Leno with a stabbed effort from close range. The breakthrough came in the 39th minute: Nathaniel Clyne, surging down the right, delivered a pinpoint cross that found Jean-Philippe Mateta. Rising above his marker, Mateta powered a header into the top right corner, giving the Eagles a deserved 1-0 lead and sparking jubilation among the Palace faithful.
Fulham, though, were hardly out of the contest. The visitors threatened in spurts, with Emile Smith Rowe and Harry Wilson both testing Palace keeper Dean Henderson. The Cottagers’ best spell came just before and after the interval. Raul Jimenez, ever the danger man, rattled the post with a header just before the hour mark—a warning sign that Palace’s grip on the match was slipping.
As the second half wore on, fatigue crept into Palace’s legs. Glasner, who had made the fewest league changes of any top-flight manager this season, was forced to rely on a tired core. Fulham, by contrast, had a deeper bench and used it well. The introduction of Tom Cairney in the 66th minute proved decisive. With just ten minutes left, Cairney produced a moment of magic: collecting a pass from Sasa Lukic at the edge of the area, he curled a left-footed shot beautifully into the bottom left corner, leaving Henderson with no chance. The away end erupted as Cairney wheeled away in celebration, earning a yellow card for his exuberance.
The final stages were frenetic. Fulham pushed for a winner, coming agonizingly close in stoppage time. Timothy Castagne’s effort was superbly saved by Henderson, and Joachim Andersen blazed over from close range. Palace, meanwhile, were hanging on, grateful for the final whistle. The 1-1 scoreline felt fair, though both managers might have wondered what could have been with sharper finishing or fresher legs.
This result left Palace in 10th place in the Premier League table, level on 27 points with Fulham but ahead on goal difference. The Eagles’ winless run in the league now sits at four, while Fulham’s unbeaten streak stretches to four as well. The match statistics told the story of a balanced contest: both sides had spells of dominance, both goalkeepers were called into action, and both sets of supporters left with mixed emotions.
Off the pitch, Palace fans had something to cheer about. Earlier in the day, the club confirmed the impending arrival of Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson in a £35 million deal. Johnson, Spurs’ top scorer last season with 18 goals, is expected to inject some much-needed attacking impetus into a side that has sometimes struggled to convert chances. With 31 games already played this term across all competitions, the addition of Johnson could be a game-changer as Palace look to climb the table in the second half of the season.
Looking ahead, both teams face tough assignments. Palace travel to Newcastle United on January 4 before hosting high-flying Aston Villa on January 7. Fulham, meanwhile, return to Craven Cottage to face defending champions Liverpool, followed by a midweek clash with Chelsea. The packed schedule offers little respite, and squad depth will be tested further as the winter grind continues.
Reflecting on the broader context, this match was emblematic of the Premier League’s relentless demands. Palace’s December, crammed with fixtures, left them physically and mentally stretched. Glasner’s minimal rotation policy, while fostering cohesion, has put a heavy burden on his core players. Fulham, with a deeper squad and a recent surge in form, look better equipped to handle the challenges ahead—but as the dying moments at Selhurst Park showed, football’s margins are razor-thin.
For the neutrals, this was a classic London derby—goals, drama, and a fair share of what-ifs. For Palace and Fulham, it’s back to the drawing board, with both sides knowing that January’s fixtures could define the trajectory of their seasons. The Eagles will hope Brennan Johnson’s arrival marks a turning point, while Fulham’s resilience will be tested against the league’s elite.
As the dust settles on Selhurst Park, one thing is clear: neither side is content with a single point, but both have shown the grit and quality to keep the Premier League rollercoaster rolling into 2026.
