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Raul Jimenez scored two second-half penalties as Fulham twice came from behind to deny Ipswich Town a win that would have lifted them out of the Premier League drop zone at Craven Cottage – but the striker said the result was “two points lost”.
Jimenez first gave Fulham an equalizer in the 69th minute after Sam Morsy fouled Harry Wilson after referee Darren Bond checked him on the sidelines.
Ipswich, who had taken the lead through Sammie Szmodics’ goal from the penalty area in the 38th minute, restored their lead almost immediately after Liam Delap’s spot-kick for his seventh goal of the season, which Timothy Castagne conceded for the striker’s challenge.
Fulham secured a point with Jimenez’s impressively cool penalty a minute from the end of normal time, converting after Leif Davis brought him down, to extend their unbeaten run to eight games, including four straight draws at home.
What a second half it was! 😨
Raúl Jiménez scores AGAIN from the penalty spot for Fulham ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/kLf0RN8sfR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Jimenez: Fulham ‘needs to keep improving’
“We have to look forward and go again,” Jimenez said, telling Sky Sports the result was “really bad” despite scoring his ninth goal of the campaign.
“We have to start doing it from the beginning (of games) – to score first and not be behind during the last minutes. We have to keep improving in 2025. I’m happy to score, but to win games we have to keep (empty nets).”
Sammie Szmodics fires 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 sides also traded chances in quick succession before the Mexico international struck first, Emile Smith Rowe palming away a close-range header for the hosts before Bernd Leno pounced to clear Nathan Broadhead’s fierce long-range strike at the other end.
Raúl Jiménez scores from the penalty spot for Fulham! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/58bBGeIdB1
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
McKenna ‘proud’ of Ipswich
“When you’re leading twice, you always feel a bit disappointed that you didn’t win,” admitted Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna.
“I’m so proud of the way we played. We had opportunities to score two goals, but we failed to take advantage of them. We had to defend a lot and we did well in the second half.”
Liam Delap’s stunning penalty puts Ipswich back in the lead! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/F66sKlT5j3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Ninth-placed Fulham is two points behind Aston Villa and two ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion, while Ipswich is behind fourth-placed Wolves on goal difference and a point less than Everton, although both sides have a game more than themselves.
Fulham are at home against Watford in the third round of the FA Cup on Thursday (19:45 GMT). Ipswich host third-tier Bristol Rovers in Sunday’s contest (3pm).
