Thu Jan 01 18:20:00 UTC 2026: ## Cairney Stunner Denies Palace Victory as Winless Streak Extends
Selhurst Park, London – A stunning late equaliser from Fulham’s Tom Cairney salvaged a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, prolonging the Eagles’ winless run to six matches. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first-half header had given Palace the lead, but Cairney’s curling strike in the 80th minute ensured the points were shared in a tense South London derby.
Palace, desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat, initially struggled to find their rhythm. However, Mateta broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, heading home a pinpoint cross from Nathaniel Clyne. The goal marked an end to Mateta’s seven-game goal drought.
Fulham, who had been the more dominant side in the opening stages, responded well after the break. Raúl Jiménez was unlucky to see his header rebound off the post, and Maxence Lacroix’s header was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno.
As the game wore on, Palace retreated deeper into their own half, inviting pressure from Fulham. The pressure finally told when Cairney unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area, leaving Palace keeper Dean Henderson with no chance.
Henderson, however, was crucial in preventing a Fulham victory, producing a stunning save in injury time to deny Timothy Castagne from close range. In the dying seconds, Joachim Andersen squandered a golden opportunity to win it for Palace, blasting over from just six yards out.
The draw sees both teams move up the Premier League table, with Palace in ninth and Fulham in tenth.
The match was played amidst speculation surrounding the potential transfer of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham to Crystal Palace. The £35 million deal is reportedly nearing completion, with Johnson potentially joining the Eagles before the end of the week.
First Piper 