Raul Jimenez scored two second-half penalties as Fulham twice came from behind to deny Ipswich Town the win that would have lifted them out of the Premier League relegation zone at Craven Cottage – but the striker said the result was “two wasted points”.
Jimenez equalized for Fulham first in the 69th minute after Harry Wilson was adjudged to have been fouled by Sam Morsi following an examination of the pitch-side monitor by referee Darren Bond.
Ipswich, who took the lead through Sammy Smodics' 38th-minute strike from inside the box, restored their lead almost immediately through Liam Delap's penalty kick to score their seventh goal of the season, which was awarded after a challenge on the striker by Timothy Castagne.
Fulham earned a point from a brilliant penalty kick scored by Jimenez one minute before the end of regular time, after being brought down by Leif Davis, as the team continued its unbeaten run to eight matches, including four consecutive draws at home.
What a second half this was! 😨
Raul Jimenez scores again from a penalty kick for Fulham ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/kLf0RN8sfR
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Jimenez: Fulham needs to continue improving
Jimenez said, in statements to Sky Sports, that the result was “really bad” despite scoring his ninth goal this season: “We have to look forward and go again.”
“We need to start doing it from the beginning (of the matches) – scoring first and not falling behind during the last minutes. “We need to keep improving in 2025. I am happy to score goals, but in order to win games, we need to keep clean sheets.”
Sami Smodics leads Ipswich forward 🚜 pic.twitter.com/QhKJxou0ii
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Things almost got worse for Fulham 25 seconds before Jimenez's second goal, when Jack Clarke's shot hit the post for Ipswich.
The two sides also exchanged chances in quick succession before the Mexico international scored first, Emile Smith Rowe turning away a close-range header for the hosts before Bernd Leno was denied by Nathan Brodhead's ferocious long-range effort at the other end.
Raul Jimenez scores from a penalty kick for Fulham! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/58bBGeIdB1
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
McKenna is 'proud' of Ipswich
“When you go two up, you're always disappointed not to win,” Tractor Boys coach Kieran McKenna admitted.
“I'm very proud of the way we played. We had some chances to get a two-goal lead but we couldn't convert them. We had to defend a lot and we managed the second half well.”
Stunning penalty kick from Liam Delap puts Ipswich back in front! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/F66sKlT5j3
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Ninth-placed Fulham are two points behind Aston Villa and two ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion, while Ipswich trails fourth-placed Wolverhampton on goal difference and one point behind Everton, although both teams have a game more to play. .
Fulham hosts Watford in the third round of the FA Cup on Thursday (7.45pm GMT). Ipswich host Third Division side Bristol Rovers in the competition on Sunday (3pm).
