Raul Jimenez struck an injury-time penalty - his second and the game’s third spot-kick - to grab a 2-2 draw for Fulham at Craven Cottage and deny the Blues a second win against West London opposition in seven days. Sammie Szmodics gave Town the lead in the 38th minute but the Whites levelled via Jimenez’s first penalty on 69 before the Blues restored their lead via Liam Delap, also from the spot, within two minutes. Jack Clarke hit the post, then moments later the Cottagers were awarded their second penalty, which Jimenez dispatched to claim a share of the points.

Town, with incoming loan signing Ben Godfrey watching from the stands, made two changes from the team which beat Chelsea 2-0 on Monday with Omari Hutchinson missing out due to a groin injury and Wes Burns dropping to the bench.

Hutchinson was replaced by Szmodics, while Ben Johnson came into the team at right wing-back. Otherwise, it was the same side that defeated Chelsea.

Fulham made one change from the 2-2 draw home draw with AFC Bournemouth on Sunday with Andreas Pereira, the subject of interest from Brazilian side Palmeiras, dropping to the bench and Tom Cairney coming back in and skippering.

With the game being played in very heavy rain - as was the case when the teams last met at Craven Cottage in October 2001 when the match ended 1-1 - the home side saw most of the ball in the early stages.

Town, wearing their all pink third kit, made a break through Nathan Broadhead and Szmodics, playing in Hutchinson’s right-sided role, but the former Blackburn man was crowded out.

On five, Antonee Robinson’s deep cross from the left dipped over Christian Walton’s bar with the keeper carefully watching it on its way.

Four minutes later, after Liam Delap had won a free-kick, Leif Davis sent the ball dangerously across the box from the left after it had initially been cleared but beyond his teammates.

Fulham had dominated possession in the first quarter of an hour but the Blues briefly began to see more of the ball with the home side committing a number of fouls to stop them breaking, although their supporters were less than impressed with a couple of referee Darren Bond’s decisions.

However, it was the Cottagers who created the game’s first real chance in the 20th minute. Following a free-kick which had been half-cleared, Cairney sent in a cross from the left which Raul Jimenez headed goalwards but Walton saved sharply down to his right.

Within a minute, Alex Iwobi nutmegged Johnson and brought the ball into the left of the area before hitting a shot which was deflected behind by a covering defender.

In the 27th minute, Davis was shown the game’s first yellow card for sending Harry Wilson flying after the Wales international had exchanged passes with Jimenez and was bearing down on goal. The Whites fans called for a red card but referee showed only a yellow, which was the right decision. From the free-kick, Joachim Andersen headed straight into Walton’s arms.

Fulham continued to keep the Blues pinned in their own half and on 36 Robinson and Iwobi exchanged passes into the left of the box but Johnson did well to cut out the US international’s return ball before being clattered by Wilson.

As against Chelsea on Monday, Town had resolutely withstood Fulham’s pressure and in the 38th minute they took the lead.

Broadhead wafted a cross from the left towards the far post, Robinson nodded against his own bar under pressure from Johnson, Calvin Bassey scuffed his clearance straight to Szmodics, who slammed his fourth goal of the season - all away from home - into the net off Bassey, sending the Town fans at the other end wild.

Fulham set about getting back on terms and Broadhead, making his 50th start for the club, picked up a yellow card for a foul on Cairney just inside the Town half.

Following a 44th-minute corner, the ball was cleared to Wilson on the edge of the box but his volley was blocked. Following the subsequent flag-kick, the ball was returned into the box and Walton claimed confidently in the air to cheers from the Town support behind his goal.

As the fourth official indicated one additional minute, Davis was sent away on the left but his low cross was beyond Delap.

The first half had been more of the same from the Blues. Solid defending restricting the opposition to few real chances and swift breaks from which Szmodics bagged his first goal since netting in the 2-1 win at Tottenham in November, also wearing the pink shirt.

Like their West London counterparts Chelsea earlier in the week, Fulham had seen a lot of the ball but with Walton only forced to make one serious save.

Fulham switched Issa Diop for Emile Smith Rowe ahead of the start of the second half which began with the home side putting the Blues under renewed pressure.

However, on 55, Johnson played an excellent cross-field pass for Davis, who found Delap with a cross, but the striker was unable to find the space to get in a shot and the danger was cleared.

As the hour approached, Jacob Greaves brought the ball out from the back on the left before losing possession. Fulham’s break was held up on the edge of the box and eventually Iwobi’s shot was well wide.

In the 63rd minute, Iwobi crossed and Smith Rowe dived to head wide at the far post when the former Arsenal man will feel he should have done better.

Fulham swapped Cairney and Iwobi for Rodrigo Muniz and Pereira before Town came close to adding to their lead.

Delap knocked down a long ball forward to Broadhead, who smashed a powerful strike, which home keeper Bernd Leno did very well to palm away to his left.

Fulham broke away from the resultant corner with Wilson breaking into the area before going to ground as he went past Morsy.

Referee Bond waved away the vehement protests but VAR told him to take another look at it and the official changed his mind, the Town skipper, who was booked, perhaps unable to get out of the Welshman’s way as he ran to get goalside of the ball or maybe trying to bring him down outside the area. Jimenez took the spot-kick and beat Walton to send the home fans into delirium.

The home joy was short-lived, however, with the Blues awarded a penalty 21 seconds after the restart.

Delap was found on the left of the box and as he tried to work his way between two defenders was felled by Timothy Castagne. Referee Bond pointed straight to the spot and despite some lengthy arguments from Fulham players, VAR upheld the decision.

The Town striker took the kick himself and hit it high and hard into the top corner to Leno’s left, becoming the first Blues player to score penalties in consecutive matches in the Premier League and taking his total for the season to eight.

Having restored their lead, the Blues swapped Cajuste and Szmodics for Kalvin Phillips and Jack Taylor.

Johnson was booked for a foul in the 78th minute for a foul on Sasa Lukic, Jimenez heading only just wide from the free-kick having been given too much space at the near post.

A minute later, Fulham swapped Lukic for Adama Traore, before the Blues switched Johnson and Broadhead for Burns and Jack Clarke.

The Cottagers were continuing to take the game to Town, looking for their second equaliser but without being able to find a way through the Blues’ backline. On 83, following a rare Town foray forward, Davis shot well over.

As the game moved into its final three scheduled minutes, the Blues replaced Delap, again a huge presence up front, for Ali Al-Hamadi.

And in the 89th minute, Town came close to sealing it when Clarke cut in from the left and slammed a low shot against the post.

Almost immediately, with the game now in seven additional minutes, play moved to the other end. Jimenez tried to go round the outside of Davis and the full-back tripped the Mexican. Referee Bond pointed straight to the spot and VAR vindicated his decision Jimenez took the kick and found the top corner.

Town found themselves under pressure during the remaining minutes, Taylor almost inadvertently playing in Wilson with a backpass, Walton clearing in front of the Welshman.

Fulham claimed another penalty for handball, VAR deciding there was no case to answer, then in the closing moments Walton saved a low shot down to his left.

Once again, Town had points snatched for them at the last, but most supporters would have taken a point at the start of the match.

The Blues were once again solid and resolute defensively but were always a threat on the break with Szmodics taking his chance clinically.

Town will feel the two penalties they conceded were preventable ones with Morsy not really making anything resembling a legitimate challenge for the first and Davis sticking out a tired leg - presumably the effects of the very heavy conditions - for the second.

Delap was always a threat against the Fulham backline and it was probably little surprise that he forced a foul inside the area, the striker again finishing powerfully from the spot.

Two games undefeated and four points put the 18th-placed Blues level on points with Wolves ahead of them ahead of the break from the Premier League next weekend for the FA Cup with League One Bristol Rovers at Portman Road next Sunday.

Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Diop (Smith Rowe 46), Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Lukic (Traore 79), Cairney (c) (Pereira 63), Wilson, Jimenez, Iwobi (Muniz 63). Subs: Benda, Cuenca, Sessegnon, King, Godo,.

Town Walton, Johnson (Burns 80), O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Morsy (c), Cajuste (Phillips 73), Szmodics (Taylor 73), Broadhead (J Clarke 80), Delap (Al-Hamadi 88). Subs: Muric, H Clarke, Burgess, Townsend. Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire). VAR: Paul Tierney. Att: 27,042.

Photo: Matchday Images

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:32 - Jan 5 Disappointed not to get the win. I thought we had the better chances, even if Fulham had more possession. Magnificent team effort. I'm beginning to think that we might just be able to do this. COYB!
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Gforce added 16:32 - Jan 5 Penalties aside,our defence today was magnificent and on the plus side we're now only 6 points behind Man Utd !
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timbousa added 16:33 - Jan 5 Trying not to be greedy here. After the exertions of those performances against Arsenal and Chelsea, I had a niggling feeling that this could have been a flat 3-0 defeat to a more-than-decent Fulham side. But it wasn't. On another day, Leif Davis got a red, not a yellow and the penalty was not given for Delap. So it's a very useful 2-2 and I'm with the cliche that I would have taken that result before the match kicked off. Best not to get obsessed with the league table at the moment. Relegation rivals all shed points over the past two rounds and Ipswich picked up four. Ipswich are only going to be better in the 2nd half of the season and the project is stable. The same cannot be said for Leicester, Everton, West Ham ... even Wolves. We just need to be better than two of those teams. Beats having to be better than 22 other sides like the past two seasons. Perfect time for two weeks off for the big players with the FA Cup coming up. And time to get Hirst, Tuanzebe back and give Godfrey a run out. Three 'new' signings right there. Brighton and Southampton coming up at home in the next four games. Two wins there are very doable. And Man City? Maybe .... Now it's time to watch Manchester United and the Schadenfreude of another team maybe joining the fun at the bottom.

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therein61 added 16:33 - Jan 5 All in all a good point away from home but so easily have been 3! but we go on with renewed confidence which seems to be spreading through the squad C.O.Y.B.
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ArmaghBlue added 16:33 - Jan 5 Good performance, but 2 points dropped due to stupidity. Happens all too often. Let’s hope these moments don’t cost us come the end of the season. Let’s hope we sign a striker ASAP, as no disrespect, but AAH looked clueless.
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blueboy1981 added 16:33 - Jan 5 …… having said that - unnecessary naivety by two players cost us a WIN and three points. Mark me down you usuals, and mark the poster as you do - you’ll prove my point again I’m sure ! We move on !
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Dissboyitfc added 16:38 - Jan 5 Well done to KM and the Boys, a great point! I just hope that come the seasons end we aren’t saying if only? All to play for and with the hoped for additions we are in this!
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Lightningboy added 16:40 - Jan 5 Another had fought point..cannot praise the effort highly enough these last few games..look so much more comfortable with Walton in goal and 3 in front of him...badly need Hirst back though to share the striking duties with Delap.
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Marinersnose added 16:43 - Jan 5 For those new to watching and supporting Ipswich or any other team you will probably notice players wear vests under their shirts which record performance levels. These levels are monitored by stsff on the bench and when a player enters or is close to entering the Red zone they are tired and performance will drop off. They also increase risk of injury. Substitutions are then made. Delap couldn’t possibly play for 90 minutes in the style McKenna wants him to as he completes many sprints at high intensity. Sorted to be a bore but the game is scientifically managed

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Suffolkboy added 16:44 - Jan 5 Should we have concentrated more on game management towards the end — if LD goes forward what cover is the set up supposed to provide ( or should LD be deliberately restricted at that stage ?) . All the pointers are in the right direction , excellent system and changes ,but we still lack top class substitute support ; certainly more forward options will be welcome ,but great that NB is showing his worth ,and if GH can come back strong then there’s much much more to add to our belief ., Well done. , COYB

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Gforce added 16:46 - Jan 5 So frustrated with not winning this one,I'm trying to put a positive spin on it,so here goes.....If we had drawn 2-2 with Chelsea and then beaten Fulham 1-2 ,we'd have all been pretty happy ! Does that work !! ?
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 16:47 - Jan 5 Good point . Good performance. Not sure what Morsy was doing dangling a leg out there and very tired challenge from Leif. Shame but we look much more solid with this formation. LeeJames I'm not sure what u have against Burns and Chaplin but they are both more than worth their place in the squad. Burns was excellent against Chelsea.
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:48 - Jan 5 Gutted,2 valuable points thrown away by stupid and clumsy mistakes ,Morsey may well be a passionate captain but he is also a rash / clumsy liability at times I feel for the rest of the team today , hard work damaged by those two moments. So yes a point gained but we could have been 16th and climbong out of trouble .Agree with others re Al Hamadi he is not up to it a loan move would be best for him imo.

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DifferentGravy added 16:51 - Jan 5 Well done lads. A thoroughly deserved point. Can easily forgive Morsey and Leif for tired challenges that led to pens because they have been outstanding all season. Cant believe the diving and histrionics of Fulham that went unpunished. Every fouled Town made....booked. Lukic multiple fouls....nothing. Couple of excellent saves by Walton. Delap a handful yet again. Broadhead bits of pure magic But for a post and a super save by their keeper we could have walked away with all 3 points. Everyone working for each other and the away support were deafening. Keep battling like that and we can move up the league! COYB

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DerryfromBury added 16:58 - Jan 5 @farnboroBlue Yes, your lip reading was spot on. That's exactly what he said. Calling the ref a cheat should be a straight red. He's a typical Silva player.
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bluebullet29l added 17:09 - Jan 5 Strange feeling after that...if you had offered 4 points from our last 2 games I would of taken it for sure....but the way we gifted them that 2nd penalty just leaves a sour taste in the mouth but overall the lads battled well and proved we are no pushovers and definitely capable of getting enough points to survive.
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warktheline added 17:13 - Jan 5 Another excellent point with McKenna already lining up quality players to add to the squad as he works tirelessly to bridge that huge gap between leapfrogging two divisions and landing in the Premiership! Blueboy so are we good enough or not? One very confused individual!!!!
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gkroon89 added 17:18 - Jan 5 Warktheline what is your obsession with another poster. Getting a little sad really. Just comment on the football.
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Leejames99 added 17:19 - Jan 5 Don't know what game people watch sometimes, Muric was getting all tge blame but read all match reports, Morsy has cost us points, the slip vs Leicester, Penalty today in the same place he tripped Fernando's against Man -Utd and I think Davis might be better left wing with defender behind the pace of Prem is to quick on break to be bombing forward and sprinting back to defend all match. A poster asked what I have against Burns and Chaplin the answer is nothing, they have been great for town in league 1 and Championship I just don't think they Prem quality, we could get good money for them and be better for their careers to be playing every week at their standard, they have done okay but I think we are in a position to get better and unfortunately some players have to go and for me they make the most sense. Broadhead was great and going nowhere this season. Morsy has done well but his passion costs and I do think personally Cajuste and Phillips would be better but I'm bot sure Morsy be dropped this season ad he is integral to dressing room. So many fans on here are so obsessed with league one and championship team, I get it but to say we can forgive dropping 2 points today make sure you remember that if we go down by 2 or 4 points that's they on o7r captain today and VS Leicester. I'm getting marked down and abuse for giving an opinion and I've noticed if anything is said about the old guard then god forbid. Hirst injured all the time, Al Hamadi nowhere close to Prem standard, its embaressing bringing him on. Some people saying Walton amazing again, he made one good save he got down too, but I like he kicks it out rather than faff at back, I do think Muric may of stopped a pen but we will never know. Felt sorry for aburgess being on bench. Maybe look stats, listen pundits, watch interviews with Mckenna and Ashton before just defending the old guard. H Clarke cost us at Brentford also points dropped. The team look much better now we just need to bring in good players who can have an impact and keep the intensity and work rate. Godfrey is a great addition. All my opinion no need to get abusive.

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Tedray added 17:27 - Jan 5 Yes we competed and played well within the system But how many points have we thrown away from winning positions. Sorry but the captain should take full responsibility for letting his colleagues down with an act of sheer stupidity perhaps a replacement beckons
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gkroon89 added 17:28 - Jan 5 Leejames99 can see where you are coming from in areas. Not sure a different keeper would have saved the penalties as they were all decently taken to be fair. I do agree with the bit anbout abuse on here if you disagree with those that won’t say boo to a goose. Admin is no where to be seen, when some of the posts border on bullying. Everyone should respect each others posts - fine to debate, after all this is what the chat section is for. If unfortunately we do get relegated, some of the players will help us back in the Championship, so might be a bit of a risk should we let them go.

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blueboy1981 added 17:30 - Jan 5 Looking at the Table tonight - those ‘extra’ two points WOULD have made the Table look so much better for us !!
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 17:37 - Jan 5 LeeJames, you made a long-winded negative post about the team, McKenna and the game. You were downvoted for it. Nothing more, nothing less. Down votes indicate disagreement, not bullying. Shy of a couple of errors here and there, the lads are playing well. Even the League One lads you seem to despise so much. We've come so far the past three years. Try to enjoy it.

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warktheline added 17:40 - Jan 5 @gkroon, if you are happy to have this individual constantly question McKenna’s credibility, and generally spread negativity every time we don’t win, that’s up to you! I’m not, if you don’t like it then ignore me, some of us appreciate how far this club has come over such a short period of time, and believe that the manager has already achieved ‘legendary status’ with Ipswich Town FC !

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SheptonMalletBlue added 17:44 - Jan 5 Wilson should have seen red for his foul mouthed accusation at the ref!!!
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