8 MARCH 2025
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 FULHAM 1
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Seeking to extend their 5-match winning run in all competitions, the Seagulls welcomed Fulham to the Amex for a Premier League encounter, the match being broadcast by Talksport 2 and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Albion's record against Fulham in the Premier was poor. In the nine meetings between the Seagulls and Cottagers in the Premier, Fulham had won five, with the other four drawn, so the Albion were looking for their first Premier League win against the team from West London.
Last time out the Albion had achieved an excellent 2-1 extra-time win at Newcastle United on the 2 March in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup and for Fulham's visit the Albion had to make one enforced change to their starting line-up from the Newcastle game, with Yasin Ayari replacing the suspended Tariq Lamptey.
In their previous outing the Cottagers had gained a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on the 2 March in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, after the teams had drawn 1-1 after extra-time.
Head Coach Marco Silva made three changes to his starting line-up from the Manchester United game for the visit to the Amex, with Issa Diop, Emile Smith Rowe and Raul Jimenez coming in for Sasa Lukic, Adama Traore and Rodrigo Muniz.
In their meetings in the Premier last season, it finished 1-1 at the Amex on the 29 October 2023 with Evan Ferguson (26m) opening the scoring for the Seagulls and Joao Palhinho (65m) equalising for the Cottagers. In the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage on the 2 March 2024 it was 3-0 to Fulham, with their goals coming from Harry Wilson (21m), Rodrigo Muniz (32m) and Adama Traore (90+1m).
Previously this season, on the 5 December 2024, in the Premier at Craven Cottage it was 3-1 to Fulham, with their goals coming from Alex Iwobi 2 (4m & 87m) and a Matt O'Riley own goal (79m). Albion's consolation goal came from Carlos Baleba (56m).
In fine sunny conditions there was a cagey opening by two evenly-matched teams with neither goal-keeper being unduly troubled. On 22 minutes the Cottagers created a chance when Timothy Castagne's lofted cross from the right found Emile Smith Rowe on the edge of the box but the latter's snatched shot flew wide of the post. The visitors took the lead on 35 minutes when Alex Iwobi's cross from the right-wing found the unmarked Raul Jimenez who chested the ball down before lashing a left-foot shot past Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal. 0-1.
he Seagulls were not behind for long when on 41 minutes Yasin Ayari's flighted free-kick was headed home by Jan Paul Van Hecke, the ball entering the net via the far post. It was the Dutchman's first goal for the Albion. 1-1. An evenly-balanced first-half.
Half-time 1-1.
The Seagulls started the second-half the brighter of the two teams, Joao Pedro shot narrowly wide of the target and Kaoru Mitoma had a goal disallowed for offside. Next, Antonee Robinson for the Cottagers ran down his left and his cross found Iwobi on the edge of the box but the shot was deflected wide. Albion substitute Simon Adingra then had his goal chalked off for an offside infringement. The game seemed to be heading for a draw but in the very last minute of time added on Fulham substitute Harrison Reed brought down Pedro in box and Referee Samuel Barrott pointed to the spot.
Pedro got up to coolly convert the penalty-kick to send the Albion team and fans wild with delight. 2-1. A superb last-minute win for the Seagulls.
Final-score 2-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 9 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 6.
Fulham had 6 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
TO SUM UP - A tight game ended with a dramatic last-minute winner for the Albion and their first Premier League win over Fulham in ten attempts. It was good to see Jan Paul Van Hecke score his first Albion goal on his 83rd appearance. It's now 6 winning games on the trot in all competitions for the team and a testing trip to Manchester City this weekend.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Jack HINSHELWOOD, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Adam WEBSTER (Capt), Pervis ESTUPINAN; Carlos BALEBA (Mats WIEFFER 86), Yasin AYARI (Diego GOMEZ 69); Yankuba MINTEH (Solly MARCH 77), Georginio RUTTER (Danny WELBECK 77), Kaoru MITOMA (Simon ADINGRA 86); Joao PEDRO.
Subs not used: Carl RUSHWORTH (G/K), Eiran CASHIN, Joe KNIGHT, Jacob SLATER.
Fulham line-up (3-4-2-1):- Bernd LENO; Issa DIOP, Joachim ANDERSEN, Calvin BASSEY; Timothy CASTAGNE, Andreas PEREIRA (Harrison REED 81), Sander BERGE, Antonee ROBINSON (Capt); Alex IWOBI (Ryan SESSEGNON 89), Emile SMITH ROWE (WILLIAN 82); Raul JIMENEZ (Rodrigo MUNIZ 69).
Subs not used: Steven BENDA (G/K), Jorge CUENCA, Tom CAIRNEY, Josh KING, Martial GODO.
Referee: Samuel Barrott (Yorkshire).
Fourth Official: Andy Davies.
VAR Official: Craig Pawson.
Yellow Cards: Fulham: 2 - Joachim Andersen, Antonee Robinson.
Possession: Albion - 53%. Fulham - 47%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Joao Pedro (Albion).
Attendance: 31584.
NEXT GAME:
15 MARCH 2025 - MANCHESTER CITY - Away - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.
Jack Kaye.