A story of three penalties and an ultimately fair result. Fulham were facing the barrel of a rare defeat when Raúl Jiménez converted his second penalty of the afternoon early in added time and could sense they never did enough to overcome a well-drilled Ipswich. Kieran McKenna’s side had led twice, thanks to Sammie Szmodics and a Liam Delap penalty; Whether this is the one that got away remains to be seen, but they don’t behave like they’re destined for downfall.
Any student of two compact, commendably coached teams might have expected a chess match at the start, although a Fulham team beaten just once in 11 games was favored to overshadow. Marco Silva kept them humming, even allowing a high number of draws, and gave them the kind of presence Ipswich would like to achieve in time.
The team’s away prospects were hampered in the build-up by a groin injury to Omari Hutchinson, who had scored brilliantly in a win over Chelsea that breathed life into their fight against relegation . Ipswich top the division’s table for fitness-related issues and the feeling was that, without their most reliable linebreaker, it would be a day for courage and courage in the Thames drizzle.
Those predictions were borne out in an intense but lacking pace start, with Ipswich sitting back and trusting Delap’s tempestuous running to get them onto the pitch. Seconds after kick-off, he had left a mark on Sasa Lukic; Eight minutes later, his drive towards the penalty area led to a free kick and, from the second ball, a cross from Leif Davis which narrowly escaped an onrushing Szmodics.
Most of the play, however, was dictated by a Fulham side keen to ask questions down the flanks. It took them 20 minutes to create an opening, but when it did, Christian Walton reacted magnificently, parrying Jiménez’s header low to his right. Jiménez, who had received a delivery from the recalled Tom Cairney, probably should have scored. Then Alex Iwobi, after pushing Ben Johnson inside the area, had a glimpse of the goal but was denied by a desperate block from Jens Cajuste.
By the half-hour mark, Fulham were dominating, with their opponents struggling for meaningful possession except for those moments when Delap advanced. They shouted for a red card when Harry Wilson, crossing through the middle, was roughly checked by Davis. A warning was deemed sufficient, much to Silva’s chagrin, with Davis perhaps saved by the 40-yard distance of goal and the potential for Dara O’Shea to cover.
To compound Fulham’s frustration, Ipswich proceeded to strike with their first notable opening. Antonee Robinson had just wasted a good position after more sublime work from Iwobi when, following possession on the visitors’ left, Nathan Broadhead fired a cross towards the far post. Johnson and Robinson rose to challenge, the ball grazing the latter’s head on the bar. Calvin Bassey still had the chance to clear, but he missed horribly, allowing Szmodics the chance to head home via the defender’s redemption attempt.
Despite all the pressure from Fulham, Jiménez’s chance was the sum of their efforts. Silva, still complaining to officials about the reprieve given to Davis on his return in the second half, introduced Emile Smith Rowe’s trade at the break. Issa Diop, a central defender, was sacrificed and the pattern of what would follow seemed set.
Ipswich were first after the restart, Bassey repelling Szmodics when the striker glimpsed further joy. The rain was pouring down now, with the expected siege of Fulham failing to materialize on the hour mark, beyond Jacob Greaves’ dogged defending of a Robinson cross and a poorly sliced Iwobi effort.
When an opportunity materialized, Smith Rowe could only skid a header wide as he raced at Iwobi’s chipped cross. Silva quickly brought on Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz, but had Bernd Leno to thank almost immediately when he brilliantly tipped Broadhead’s half-volley around his left post.
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Fulham could capitalize on the slack. Darren Bond first stirred up the play when Wilson went down under the attention of Sam Morsy, but it didn’t appear to be a dive and the Ipswich captain looked guilty. VAR confirmed it, highlighting Morsy’s tap on the knee of a mid-air Wilson. Jiménez did the rest and Fulham had the platform they dreamed of.
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Just 21 seconds later, he collapsed. Delap twisted inside Timothy Castagne and fell spectacularly, with Bond pointing to the spot and replays showing there had been contact. Delap, brimming with confidence, swept away the penalty and a bizarre passage of play left Fulham with everything to do again.
Jiménez headed a foot wide and Silva threw over the kitchen sink in the form of Adama Traore. It was Ipswich substitute Jack Clarke who could have sealed things by drilling against the post. But seconds later, Davis tripped Jiménez and the repetition was completed.
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