Recap

Fulham Snatch Dramatic Point Against Liverpool with Reed’s Last-Gasp Thunderbolt

In a thrilling Premier League encounter at Craven Cottage, Fulham and Liverpool played out a pulsating 2-2 draw on January 4, 2026, with Harrison Reed’s stunning injury-time strike salvaging a vital point for the hosts. The match, marked by controversial offside decisions, clinical finishing, and a second-half transformation from the visitors, showcased the best of Premier League drama as both sides pushed for victory right until the final whistle.

Early Fulham Breakthrough Sets the Tone

Fulham drew first blood in the opening exchanges, capitalizing on a swift counter-attack spearheaded by Raul Jimenez. The Mexican forward’s precise through-ball found Harry Wilson in space, who applied a clinical finish to put the Cottagers ahead. Wilson’s goal, described as “really well taken,” silenced the traveling Liverpool support and gave Marco Silva’s men a deserved lead at the break, despite some early pressure from the Reds.

The home side’s midfield, orchestrated by the likes of Andreas Pereira and the tireless Harrison Reed, dictated the tempo in the first half. Liverpool, appearing disjointed, struggled to create clear-cut chances, with several promising moves aborted by the offside flag. One notable moment saw Connor Bradley thundering forward before sweeping a pass to a teammate, only for the linesman’s flag to deny the visitors. Fulham’s defense, led by a resolute backline, held firm, ensuring they turned around with the advantage.

Liverpool’s Second-Half Revival Ignites the Contest

Whatever Arne Slot said at halftime worked wonders, as Liverpool emerged transformed after the interval. The Reds dominated possession and pinned Fulham back, with their attacking intent immediately evident. Florian Wirtz, the German playmaker, leveled the scores with his second goal for the club, providing the “lift they needed” in a game that had swung in Liverpool’s favor.

Wirtz’s equalizer came amid a flurry of chances, including a disallowed effort from Bradley that had the away fans celebrating prematurely before the offside call cut short the joy. Liverpool’s pressure continued to mount, and it paid dividends when Cody Gakpo fired them into the lead with just a couple of minutes of added time remaining. Gakpo’s composed finish appeared to have sealed a hard-fought victory, sending the Liverpool bench into raptures and seemingly condemning Fulham to defeat.

The visitors’ second-half dominance was built on improved fluidity and pressing. Bradley’s marauding runs from right-back added dynamism, while Wirtz’s creativity unlocked Fulham’s defense time and again. A foul on Raul Jimenez briefly halted Liverpool’s momentum, but they quickly regained possession and pushed forward relentlessly.

Reed’s Rocket Rescues Fulham in injury Time

Just when victory seemed assured for Liverpool, Fulham summoned one last Herculean effort. Substitute Simon Adingra, operating on the left, swung in a dangerous cross from the left-hand side. The ball found Harrison Reed, who controlled it onto his right foot and unleashed an absolute thunderbolt into the top corner, raising the roof at Craven Cottage.

Reed “made his mind up early as soon as he got it,” picking out the perfect finish that gave Alisson Becker no chance. The strike, hailed as “absolutely brilliant” and a “wonderful strike,” saved a point for Fulham and turned the match narrative on its head. Celebrations erupted among the home fans, while Liverpool’s players were left stunned by the late twist.

Key Player Performances: Stars Shine in the Spotlight

• Harrison Reed (Fulham) emerged as the undisputed man of the match, not just for his goal but for his tireless midfield display. The Englishman covered every blade of grass, breaking up play and driving Fulham forward. His 90-plus minute rocket encapsulated his determination and quality.
• Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) was Liverpool’s standout performer, scoring the crucial equalizer and terrorizing Fulham’s defense with his dribbling and vision. His second goal for the club marked a significant moment in his Anfield career.
• Harry Wilson (Fulham) set the tone with his opener, showing sharp movement and finishing prowess. The Welshman’s goal was a highlight of Fulham’s first-half control.
• Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) delivered when it mattered most with the late winner that wasn’t, his goal showcasing his predatory instincts in the box.

Connor Bradley impressed with his forward surges, nearly scoring himself, while Raul Jimenez’s assist for Wilson’s goal underlined his importance to Fulham’s attack. On the defensive end, Fulham’s backline deserves credit for weathering Liverpool’s storm, even if breached twice.

Tactical Insights and Notable Incidents

The game hinged on key tactical shifts. Fulham’s first-half strategy of quick transitions exploited Liverpool’s high line, with Jimenez and Wilson thriving on the break. Liverpool’s response was a high-intensity press and width exploitation, courtesy of Bradley and full-back contributions. Substitutions proved pivotal: Frim Pong’s introduction for Fulham led directly to Reed’s equalizer, while Liverpool’s changes maintained their momentum.

Controversy swirled around offside calls, particularly Liverpool’s disallowed goals. One involving Bradley was ruled out correctly, but the frequency frustrated Slot’s side. No red cards marred the fixture, but the intensity led to several robust challenges, including a foul on Jimenez that briefly disrupted Liverpool’s flow.

Possession stats likely favored Liverpool post-interval, though exact figures from the official recap highlight Fulham’s resilience. The draw keeps both teams in the title hunt—Liverpool dropping points unexpectedly, Fulham boosting their top-half aspirations.

Post-Match Implications for the Premier League Race

This result underscores the Premier League’s unpredictability. Liverpool, title contenders, will rue missed opportunities despite their second-half superiority. Slot’s men remain strong but vulnerable to late lapses.

Fulham, under Silva, continue their impressive home form at Craven Cottage, with Reed’s heroics boosting morale ahead of a congested festive schedule. The point feels like two dropped for the visitors but gold dust for the hosts.

Fan reactions poured in post-whistle: Liverpool supporters lauded Wirtz and Gakpo but lamented the draw, while Fulham faithful hailed Reed’s “rocket” as one for the ages. Highlights from NBC Sports captured the drama perfectly, with extended clips showing every key moment.

Looking ahead, Liverpool face a tough run, needing to sharpen their finishing. Fulham’s momentum could propel them up the table. Matches like this remind us why the Premier League captivates globally—end-to-end action, individual brilliance, and never-say-die spirit.

In summary, Harrison Reed’s injury-time masterpiece ensured Fulham earned a famous point, turning potential defeat into euphoria. A fitting end to a match full of twists, goals, and Premier League quality.