Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham

New Year’s Day London Derby Ends All Square

A Pulsating Premier League Derby at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham Crystal Palace and Fulham played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park on New Year’s Day 2026, delivering a classic London derby packed with drama, intensity, and late twists. In front of a vibrant crowd of over 25,000 spectators, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first-half header gave Palace the lead, before Tom Cairney’s stunning late equaliser ensured the points were shared.

The result moves both sides to 27 points in the Premier League standings, with Palace narrowly ahead on goal difference in a fiercely competitive mid-table race.

Match Overview: Crystal Palace vs Fulham

When and Where Was the Match Played?

• Date: Thursday, 1 January 2026

• Venue: Selhurst Park

• Competition: Premier League

• Kick-off: 17:30 GMT

Played under the Selhurst Park floodlights, the fixture proved a fitting way to usher in the new footballing year.

First Half: Fulham Control, Palace Strike First

Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham

Fulham started brightly, dominating possession and pressing Palace high up the pitch. Marco Silva’s side created the early chances, most notably when Raúl Jiménez struck the post with a powerful header. Harry Wilson also came close, only to be denied by a crucial defensive block.

Despite enjoying less of the ball, Palace remained disciplined and defensively organised. Their resilience paid off in the 39th minute, when Nathaniel Clyne delivered a precise cross from the right wing-back position. Jean-Philippe Mateta rose above the Fulham defence to plant a powerful header into the top corner, scoring his eighth Premier League goal of the season.

Tactical Set-Ups and Starting XIs

Crystal Palace Formation and Approach

Oliver Glasner kept faith with his 3-4-2-1 system, featuring:

• Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson

• Defence: Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guéhi, Jefferson Lerma

• Wing-backs: Nathaniel Clyne, Tyrick Mitchell

• Midfield: Adam Wharton, Will Hughes

• Attack: Yéremi Pino, Justin Devenny

• Striker: Jean-Philippe Mateta

Palace focused on defensive solidity and quick transitions, making the most of Mateta’s aerial presence.

Fulham’s Line-Up and Game Plan

Fulham also named an unchanged side, lining up with:

• Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno

• Defence: Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Jorge Cuenca, Antonee Robinson

• Midfield: Sander Berge, Saša Lukić

• Attacking midfield: Emile Smith Rowe, Harry Wilson

• Forwards: Raúl Jiménez, Kevin

Silva’s men aimed to control possession and stretch Palace’s back three with width and movement.

Second Half: Palace Pressure and a Late Twist

Palace Push for a Second Goal

The hosts began the second half strongly, coming close to extending their lead when Marc Guéhi hit the crossbar from a set-piece. Palace looked increasingly confident, with Yéremi Pino causing problems out wide and Mateta continuing to occupy Fulham’s centre-backs.

Tom Cairney’s Moment of Magic

Fulham’s persistence was rewarded in the 80th minute. Substitute Tom Cairney, introduced to add creativity, received the ball just outside the penalty area and curled a sublime left-footed strike into the bottom corner. Henderson had no chance as the ball nestled into the net, sparking jubilant celebrations from the away end.

Late Drama but No Winner

Both teams pushed for a late winner in the closing stages. Palace injected fresh energy from the bench, while Fulham threatened on the counter through Smith Rowe and Wilson. However, neither side could find a decisive breakthrough, and the match ended in a deserved draw.

Key Match Statistics

• Possession: Fulham 55% – Palace 45%

• Shots: Fulham 12 – Palace 10

• Expected Goals (xG): Palace slightly higher

• Goalscorers:

  • Palace: Mateta (39’)

  • Fulham: Cairney (80’)

Player Ratings Highlights

Crystal Palace Standouts

• Nathaniel Clyne – 8: Tireless performance and an excellent assist

• Jean-Philippe Mateta – 8: Clinical header and constant threat

• Maxence Lacroix – 8: Outstanding defensive display

Fulham Standouts

• Saša Lukić – 8: Controlled midfield and assisted the equaliser

• Tom Cairney – 9: Match-changing substitute with a sensational goal

What the Result Means for Both Teams

This draw halts Palace’s three-game losing streak and keeps them firmly in the mid-table mix. Fulham, meanwhile, extend their impressive recent record against Palace and maintain momentum ahead of a challenging fixture list.

Looking ahead:

• Crystal Palace travel to Newcastle on 4 January

• Fulham host Liverpool on the same day

With European places still within reach, every point gained at this stage of the season could prove decisive.

Final Verdict

Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham

The 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of an intense and well-contested London derby. Palace showed resilience and attacking quality, while Fulham once again demonstrated character and composure. As the Premier League enters 2026, both sides remain well-positioned to challenge for a strong top-half finish.

Good night evrybody…..