After a memorable 2025, Crystal Palace started 2026 with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against a resurgent Fulham.
Amid a slow start to the game, Jean-Philippe Mateta ignited things with a close-range header following good work from Nathaniel Clyne.
Palace could have extended their lead, but the Cottagers fought back, and after Raul Jimenez hit the post, Tom Cairney curled in an equaliser.
Despite late Fulham pressure, Palace held firm and both sides took away a point.
Daily Mail Sport’s WILL PICKWORTH was at Selhurst Park and he has picked out some key talking points from the clash.
Crystal Palace and Fulham played out a battling 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park on New Year’s Day
Mateta steps up
Despite the incredible year Mateta enjoyed, he ended it in difficult fashion after scoring once in eight games as he managed a knee issue.
It hadn’t been the easiest of starts to this match either for the Frenchman, but when Clyne, now 34, rolled back the years and delivered a superb cross to the Frenchman after beating Antonee Robinson, Mateta made no mistake, although Fulham were unhappy Jorge Cuenca was forced off the pitch by referee Tony Harrington having gone down injured moments before.
Under Oliver Glasner, Palace are all about dynamism, yet their play had been cumbersome until that point.
Mateta’s strike sparked something though as Clyne, Yeremy Pino and Will Hughes all went close before half-time, while Maxence Lacroix missed a golden chance in the second period.
Although they were unable to hold on for the win, Mateta being back in the goals is a welcome sight for Palace.
‘It was important for him and us that JP scored,’ Glasner said. ‘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.’
Jean-Philippe Mateta put the Eagles ahead but Tom Cairney equalised late on for Fulham
Why Johnson could be perfect addition
It’s a big show of ambition for Palace to break their transfer record by moving for Brennan Johnson.
Not only will he bring quality and an innate ability to score goals – crucial given this team’s consistent wastefulness – but his incisiveness and pace will boost an attack that has laboured amid the hectic schedule.
With Ismaila Sarr at AFCON, Eddie Nketiah injured, Justin Devenny still developing and Glasner not fully trusting of Christantus Uche and Romain Esse, the creativity burden has fallen on Pino.
The Spaniard was improved here after his recent struggles, yet Johnson will give slack to a player still adapting to English football. The Welshman also brings much-needed energy to a side that again tired late on.
Crystal Palace have agreed a club record £35million fee for Tottenham star Brennan Johnson
Cairney’s goal was a superb finish and Fulham fought back despite a growing list of absentees
Fulham show their mettle
For a team missing three key players in Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze at AFCON, Fulham’s squad depth is being tested to the limit, especially after Kenny Tete limped off in the second half – and Josh King was absent from the squad through injury.
Yet with seven points in three games since the trio departed, Marco Silva can be proud of the way his side fought back.
The Cottagers probably should’ve won too after Dean Henderson produced a stunning save from Timothy Castagne in injury time before Joachim Andersen blazed over from yards out – and Silva will be delighted at how his players are stepping up.
Kevin has frustrated fans since his summer arrival, but he was lively, and Smith Rowe linked things well in midfield. Jimenez continues to lead the line superbly in the absence of any alternatives and Cairney made a decisive contribution from the bench.
As Fulham move further away from relegation trouble, Silva must now be backed in January as he weighs up his own future.
‘The reaction was very good even before the goal and it was a great finish from Tom,’ Silva said. ‘I’m very pleased with the ambition we showed at the end of the game, pushing to win, and we probably deserved more.’
