Things were always going to be tight in this battle of two of the Premier League’s more upwardly mobile sides and so it proved until the fifth minute of added time. At that stage, it looked as though Jan Paul van Hecke’s header that cancelled out Raúl Jiménez’s excellent strike would give Brighton and Fulham a share of the points.
But a dramatic late penalty from João Pedro, after he was fouled by the substitute Harrison Reed, with seconds left to play gave Fabian Hürzeler’s side a sixth straight victory in all competitions to lift them up to sixth place – one point behind Manchester City in fourth – and leave Marco Silva fuming at his side’s inability to see out the draw. The Fulham manager stood motionless at the final whistle but admitted they had played a major role in their own downfall.
The plan seemed to be working effectively and the visitors took the lead when the impressive Alex Iwobi strode down the right flank in the 35th minute and delivered a brilliant cross to the back post for Jiménez. His chest control to take the ball past Van Hecke was superb and a half-volleyed finish with his left foot gave Bart Verbruggen no chance.
To Hürzeler and the home supporters’ relief, the lead lasted around five minutes when Andreas Pereira fouled Carlos Baleba and Van Hecke got his revenge by heading home his first Premier League goal off the post from Yasin Ayari’s free-kick after escaping his marker Calvin Bassey.
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But Brighton continued to toil in the second half against Fulham’s organised defence and when they did find a way through, Kaoru Mitoma’s goal was chalked off because Yankuba Minteh had strayed offside in the buildup. Welbeck and Solly March received detailed instructions from the Brighton manager before coming on for the final 15 minutes but the veteran striker’s header was badly off target when João Pedro picked him out inside the area.
It felt like it wasn’t going to be their day when their fellow substitute Simon Adingra had the ball in the net soon after, only to be flagged offside. But the pivotal moment arrived when Reed attempted to clear the ball and tripped João Pedro inside the area to allow the Brazilian to stroke home his seventh Premier League goal of the season. “I’m not complaining, a clever striker felt contact and won the penalty,” said Silva. “We expect this type of striker to do his job. If it was my side I’d ask for a penalty.”
