Fulham vs Brighton Report
Scorers: Iwobi 4’, 87’, O’Riley (OG) 79’; Baleba 56’
Fulham returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a commanding 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage.
Alex Iwobi’s first brace in a year spearheaded the Cottagers’ performance, pushing them back into the top half of the table.
Fulham Strike Early Through Iwobi
The hosts wasted no time asserting themselves, capitalising on Brighton’s defensive error just four minutes in.
Bart Verbruggen’s poor pass in his own box was intercepted by Alex Iwobi, who calmly slotted into an empty net to give Fulham an early advantage. Rodrigo Muniz could have doubled the lead moments later but nodded wide from close range.
Brighton responded, with Bernd Leno pulling off a spectacular point-blank save to deny Simon Adingra.
While the visitors began to settle into their rhythm, their lack of cutting edge in the final third frustrated manager Fabian Hürzeler, who watched from the stands as his side squandered multiple corners without troubling Leno further.
Baleba Levels for Brighton, but Fulham Bounce Back
Fulham began the second half with a sense of urgency, nearly scoring immediately as Harry Wilson volleyed wide after a well-executed kick-off routine.
Brighton found their equaliser shortly afterward, as Carlos Baleba struck a stunning 20-yard drive into the far corner following João Pedro’s knockdown.
However, the Seagulls couldn’t sustain the momentum. Fulham regained control and looked dangerous down the left flank, creating numerous opportunities.
Their pressure eventually paid off in the 73rd minute when Andreas Pereira’s corner deflected off Matt O’Riley’s back and into the net for an own goal, restoring the hosts’ lead.
Iwobi Seals the Win
Alex Iwobi put the game beyond doubt with a composed finish in the 85th minute, wriggling into space in the box before driving a low effort across Verbruggen into the far corner.
The brace marked a standout performance for the Nigerian international, securing Fulham’s first win in three PL games and extending their unbeaten record against Brighton to nine matches.
Brighton’s Top-Four Hopes Falter
Brighton missed the opportunity to leapfrog Manchester City into the top four, with their defensive frailties once again on display. The Seagulls have now kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 matches, a worrying trend for Hürzeler’s side as they aim to maintain their European aspirations.
Conclusion: Fulham Climb the Table, Brighton Stumble
Fulham’s 3-1 victory over Brighton propels them back into the top half of the table, with Marco Silva’s side now unbeaten in nine head-to-head encounters against the Seagulls.
Brighton, meanwhile, missed a golden opportunity to strengthen their top-four bid, as defensive shortcomings continue to undermine their promising campaign.
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