Fulham's Raul Jimenez celebrates scoring his first penalty against Ipswich in the Premier LeagueImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Raul Jimenez's second penalty of the game was his eighth Premier League goal of the season

Raul Jimenez completed a penalty double in stoppage time to rescue a point for Fulham against Ipswich as three spot-kicks were awarded in a dramatic second half.

Despite Fulham dominating possession, Ipswich were in front at the break after Sammie Szmodics fired in the opener when wing-back Ben Johnson's header came back off the bar.

But the game really came to life in the second half, with the drama beginning as the home side levelled through a coolly taken Jimenez penalty.

Referee Darren Bond initially waved away Fulham's appeals when Harry Wilson was tripped by Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy, but he overturned that decision after being sent to the screen by his video assistant.

Bond was later accused by Fulham boss Marco Silva of performing "not at the level the Premier League demands".

A mere 21 seconds after the game restarted, Fulham defender Timothy Castagne kicked through Ipswich striker Liam Delap when attempting to clear the ball and Bond pointed to the spot again.

Delap duly struck the ball home powerfully for his eighth league goal of the campaign.

The visitors nearly made sure of the points when Jack Clarke's low drive hit the post, but Fulham went down the other end and Jimenez was felled by Leif Davis.

The Mexico striker was quickly back on his feet and another nerveless penalty, hit high into the net, ensured Fulham's unbeaten run stretched to eight league games.

Fulham stay ninth in the Premier League while Ipswich remain 18th, level on points with Wolves who sit a place above them.

Media caption,

Tuchel will be having a 'right good look' at Delap - Shearer

Silva fumes at referee before Fulham's rescue act

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Referee performance not at Premier League level - Silva

Although Fulham were given two penalties at Craven Cottage, manager Silva was far from happy with referee Bond for much of the match.

Much of that frustration stemmed from a decision that came midway through the first half when Wilson burst through on goal and was taken down by Davis.

Bond judged that there was a defender close enough to cover, meaning Davis was not the last man, and much to Fulham's disbelief he showed just a yellow card.

"It's important to say discussions with the referee is normal," Silva told BBC Match of the Day.

"It's difficult to understand why it wasn't a red card. It's just emotions, just normal.

"It's my job to be as calm as I can."

Silva's mood was not helped by Szmodics putting Ipswich ahead with a shot that deflected in off Calvin Bassey following a poor clearance from the Fulham centre-back.

Substitute Emile Smith Rowe missed a golden opportunity to equalise after the break but headed wide from Alex Iwobi's cross.

Silva, who had continued his protestations with Bond at half-time, was incensed again when the referee waved away his side's claims for a penalty for a trip on Wilson.

That decision was changed after the VAR consultation, but Silva's reaction earned him a yellow card before Jimenez rolled in from 12 yards.

There was no real debate over the Ipswich penalty, but conceding it so soon after play resumed will not have helped to calm the Fulham boss.

Even the equaliser was not enough to satisfy Silva.

"We should have won the game because we did more than them," he said. "When on the front foot we should have killed them in the right way."

Ipswich rue fine margins after battling display

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Conceding two penalties "frustrating" but McKenna happy with point

Just a couple of inches were the difference between one point and three for Kieran McKenna's Ipswich side, who were just minutes away from moving out of the relegation zone.

Had Clarke's effort gone in off the post rather than bouncing back, then Ipswich would in all likelihood have made it back-to-back wins and jumped to 16th in the table.

Instead, they stay behind Wolves on goal difference and a point back from Everton, both of whom have played a game fewer than the Tractor Boys.

"We put ourselves in a really good position in the second half," McKenna told Match of the Day. "The two penalties that we conceded were frustrating because they were both breakaways from our attacks.

"We had the better chances in the second half from open play. I think we have learned how to manage games. We've had a good last three performances - Arsenal, Chelsea and Fulham.

"We have been competitive most of the season. Today, maybe we have left a couple of points out there."

Despite the late disappointment, this was a performance that should encourage an Ipswich side who are beginning to look the part following their promotion.

They were relatively comfortable in keeping Fulham's threat at bay in the first half, despite the hosts bossing possession. When the chances to counter-attack did arise, Ipswich looked dangerous.

Delap was a handful as ever and the Szmodics goal was the perfect example of them getting players up in support in the right moments.

Fulham pushed more men forward in trying to get level for the first time, and Ipswich's response to being pegged back was all McKenna could have hoped for.

While there will be disappointment at failing to hold on for the win, the away point could still be a good one come May, and the display pointed to the prospect of a sustained push for a second season back among the elite.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Ipswich's Liam Delap celebrates the visitors' second goal at Craven Cottage

Player of the match

Number: 7 R. Jiménez
Average rating 8.70
Number: 7 R. Jiménez
Average Rating: 8.70
Number: 8 H. Wilson
Average Rating: 6.40
Number: 1 B. Leno
Average Rating: 5.68
Number: 33 A. Robinson
Average Rating: 5.65
Number: 32 E. Smith Rowe
Average Rating: 5.60
Number: 17 A. Iwobi
Average Rating: 5.45
Number: 11 Adama Traoré
Average Rating: 5.39
Number: 10 T. Cairney
Average Rating: 5.37
Number: 3 C. Bassey
Average Rating: 5.20
Number: 5 J. Andersen
Average Rating: 5.12
Number: 20 S. Lukić
Average Rating: 5.10
Number: 18 Andreas Pereira
Average Rating: 5.05
Number: 31 I. Diop
Average Rating: 4.92
Number: 9 Rodrigo Muniz
Average Rating: 4.89
Number: 21 T. Castagne
Average Rating: 4.89

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