Perhaps two of this season’s biggest surprises faced off on Saturday afternoon at the AMEX Stadium, with the hosts sitting sixth in the table ahead of kickoff. Their opponents were level on points with the Seagulls, but found themselves just below today’s hosts in the table due to their inferior goal difference.
Both teams made just one change ahead of this fixture, with Evan Ferguson returning to Brighton’s starting eleven at the expense of Deniz Undav. Fulham’s change was also an attacking one, with Bobby Decordova-Reid moving into the central striker’s position to replace the injured Mitrovic, while Harry Wilson slotted in at right wing.
BHA: Sanchez (GK); Estupinan, Dunk (C), Webster, Veltman; Caicedo, Gross; Mitoma, Mac Allister, March; Ferguson
FUL: Leno (GK); Robinson, Ream (C), Diop, Tete; Palhinha, Reed; Willian, Pereira, Wilson; Decordova-Reid
Brighton had the first real chance of the game very early on, as Caicedo intercepted a poor clearance by Fulham before finding Solly March, who then played in Ferguson – but the Irishman’s finish sailed just over the bar. March took on the next chance himself, blazing into the box and working his way around Robinson before curling an effort just wide of the far post.
Estupinan received a long ball and decided to cut inside towards goal, unleashing a shot – but his strike was blocked by Diop who recovered well to send the ball out for a corner.
Solly March and Antonee Robinson was certainly an interesting battle to watch out on Brighton’s right-wing, and the American international conceded a free-kick after he was judged to have illegally held the winger back.
Brighton won a free kick shortly before the break, and a low driven pass found Estupinan. The Ecuadorian wing-back cut the ball back into the box, but Tete was able to beat the Brighton players to the ball and sent it out for a corner. Gross’ corner eventually found Alexis Mac Allister – who was able to send a volley flying towards goal – but the Argentine’s shot didn’t really pose much of a threat to Bernd Leno between the sticks.
The half-time whistle brought an end to a frantic first half, in which both sides had had chances but failed to convert. The loss of Mitrovic through injury was proving costly to Fulham, as they were no longer able to rely on his clinical finishing inside the box. Brighton had been the better team – with Estupinan the standout player – but again, it was poor finishing that meant they were still level at the interval.
Solly March sent a cross flying into the box, which was met by Lewis Dunk, but the defender’s header was directed just wide of the post. Fulham then counterattacked, with Willian finding Andreas Pereira. The midfielder unleashed a shot from 25 yards or so, but a deflection meant Sanchez was able to claim the ball with ease.
Brighton finally put the ball in the back of the net, as Webster’s header directed the ball towards March, who tapped it home at the back post – but the winger was offside and the goal was promptly ruled out.
March sent yet another ball into the box, which was met by a powerful volley by Mac Allister – but a superb save from Leno kept the scores level. Caicedo followed up on the rebound, but his strike was sent well wide of the post. Shortly after being introduced as a substitute, Tariq Lamptey curled an effort from the edge of the box just over the bar, having received the ball from Caicedo.
Diop received the first yellow card of the game for dissent in the 70th minute, shortly before Alexis Mac Allister unleashed another shot towards Leno’s goal – this time forcing Leno into a diving save. Tariq Lamptey surged down the right wing a few minutes later before playing in Buonanotte, but the youngster’s shot was curled over the bar!
Brighton had yet another goal ruled off for offside, after Pascal Gross sent Alexis Mac Allister through on goal – but the Argentinian World Cup winner opted to unselfishly square it to Deniz Undav instead. Despite slotting the ball home into an empty net, the German was fractionally offside and Brighton were yet again denied an opener!
Carlos Vinicius picked up a yellow card for knocking Veltman to the ground, and this was quickly followed by a booking for Antonee Robinson – who also lashed out at Veltman.
Fulham took a surprise lead in the 88th minute, after Vinicius found Salomon – who broke free into space and fired a low shot across the face of the goal, beating Sanchez and sealing all three points for the visitors!
Six minutes of added time saw more yellow cards – this time for Palhinha and Willian. Brighton were denied a very late equaliser as Mac Allister struck a free-kick from almost thirty yards out, but his effort was sent a few inches wide of the post!
The full-time whistle means these two sides swap places in the Premier League table – and Fulham rise into the Europa League spots alongside Tottenham Hotspur. Brighton drop to seventh, level on points with Liverpool and Brentford. However, both Roberto De Zerbi and Jurgen Klopp’s sides have two games in hand over Fulham.
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