Brighton vs Fulham Report

Scorers: van Hecke 41’, Pedro 90+8’ (P); Jimenez 35’

A dramatic last-minute penalty from João Pedro secured a crucial 2-1 win for Brighton & Hove Albion against Fulham at the Amex Stadium, ending the Seagulls’ nine-game winless run against the Cottagers.

The victory also extends Brighton’s impressive recent form, marking their fourth consecutive Premier League win for the first time since May 1981.

Cautious Start as Both Sides Eye European Qualification

With both teams in contention for European places, neither was willing to take too many risks early on. The first real threat came from a set-piece, as Andreas Pereira’s in-swinging delivery forced Bart Verbruggen into action, with the Brighton goalkeeper clawing the ball off the line.

While the game lacked clear dominance from either side, the hosts looked slightly more dangerous in the first half. Yankuba Minteh tested Bernd Leno with a near-post strike, but the Fulham goalkeeper was equal to the effort.

Raúl Jiménez Fires Fulham Ahead, But Brighton Respond Immediately

Fulham struck first after crafting the game’s first meaningful opening. Alex Iwobi led a swift counter-attack, showing great composure in the build-up before finding Raúl Jiménez, who controlled the ball expertly and smashed a powerful finish past Verbruggen.

However, the Cottagers’ lead was short-lived. Brighton responded almost immediately when Yasin Ayari’s deep cross found Jan Paul van Hecke unmarked at the back post. The defender made no mistake, powering a header in off the post to bring the hosts level.

Second Half Largely Stalemate as Brighton Push for a Winner

With the scores level at the break, Brighton emerged with renewed intent. The Seagulls nearly took the lead when Giorginio Ritter played Pedro through on goal, but the Brazilian squandered his chance, dragging his shot wide.

Despite that opportunity, Fulham controlled much of the second half, though they struggled to carve out clear-cut chances. The only real moment of note came when Kaoru Mitoma had a goal disallowed early in the half for a clear offside.

Late Drama as João Pedro Wins It for Brighton

As the game entered stoppage time, Brighton pushed for a decisive moment. The Seagulls initially felt aggrieved when a penalty appeal was waved away after Pervis Estupiñán went down under pressure from Timothy Castagne, with referee Sam Barrott and VAR dismissing the claims.

However, deep into stoppage time, Brighton were awarded a penalty when João Pedro tumbled under a challenge from Harrison Reed. The Brazilian forward took responsibility, confidently slotting home from the spot to secure all three points.

Brighton Strengthen European Push as Fulham Slip to Ninth

The victory lifts Brighton to sixth place, just one point behind Manchester City in the fourth and final UEFA Champions League qualification spot, keeping their European hopes firmly alive.

Meanwhile, Fulham’s defeat sees them drop to ninth, with their European aspirations taking a hit as they continue to struggle for consistency.

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Brighton v Fulham, 2024/25 | Premier League