24 JANUARY 2026
FULHAM 2 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1
PREMIER LEAGUE - at CRAVEN COTTAGE, WEST LONDON.
The Albion made the short trip to West London to meet Fulham in the Premier at Craven Cottage, the game being broadcast by BBC Radio Sussex Sport. Albion's record against Fulham in the Premier at Craven Cottage was poor, having failed to win in five previous visits.
In their previous outing the Seagulls had drawn 1-1 at home to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier on the 19 January and for the visit to Craven Cottage the Albion made three changes to their starting line-up from the Bournemouth game, with Olivier Boscagli,
Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari replacing Joel Veltman, Jack Hinshelwood and Brajan
Gruda.
Last time out Fulham had lost 0-1 at Leeds United in the Premier on the 17 January and for Albion's visit to the Cottage Head Coach Marco Silva made two changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Alex Iwobi and Kevin coming in for Sasa Lukic and Ryan Sessegnon.
In their meetings in the Premier last season, Fulham won 3-1 at Craven Cottage on the 5 December 2024, with their goals coming from Alex Iwobi 2 (4m & 87m) and Matt O'Riley (79m, own goal). Albion's consolation was scored by Carlos Baleba (56m). In the reverse fixture at the Amex on the 8 March 2025, the Albion ran out 2-1 winners, the scorers being Jan Paul Van Hecke (41m) and Joao Pedro (90+8m, penalty), whilst Fulham's goal came from Raul Jimenez (35m).
Earlier this season, in fact on the opening-day, the 16 August 2025, the teams drew 1-1, with Matt O'Riley (55m, penalty) netting for the Seagulls, whilst Rodrigo Muniz (90+6m) scored a late equaliser for the Cottagers.
With the teams occupying 11th and 12th positions in the Premier, there was a cagey opening to the game but the home side suddenly sprung to life and they saw chances squandered, as shots by Kevin and Harry Wilson and a header by Jorge Cuenca missed the target. Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen then clung on to a shot from Raul Jimenez.
The Seagulls then took the lead when Yasin Ayari picked up a loose ball on the left then cutting in before unleashing a right-foot piledriver which flew past Fulham keeper Bernd Leno from the edge of the area and the Albion were one-up. 1-0.
Leno then saved from Kaoru Mitoma and Timothy Castagne was on hand to head Ferdi Kadioglu's follow-up off the goal-line.
Half-time 1-0
Within two minutes of the start of the second-half Wilson saw his shot saved by Verbruggen and at the other end Mitoma and then Danny Welbeck failed to convert opportunities which came their way. Against the run of play the Cottagers equalised on 72 minutes when Joachim Andersen's lofted pass from the back was misjudged by Olivier Boscagli and there was substitute Samuel Chukwueze, who ran on to place a low shot into the far corner of the net. 1-1.
Minutes later the Albion thought they had regained the lead when Welbeck fired home from Mitoma's through-pass but a VAR check revealed that the striker was offside by a whisker. Leno then made a superb save when tipping Welbeck's powerful header over the bar.
Two minutes into time added on Albion substitute Charalampos Kostoulas fouled Fulham's Joshua King some 25 yards out and up-stepped Wilson to power home the resultant free-kick for the Cottagers last-gasp winner. 1-2. Albion's wait for a first-ever top-flight win at Craven Cottage continues.
Final-score 1-2.
Match stats:
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks conceded - 6.
Fulham had 12 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
VERDICT - This result at Fulham sums up Albion's season to date - giving away sloppy goals and failing to convert chances created. At Craven Cottage the Seagulls were the better team but somehow contrived to lose the game. Hopefully things will change this weekend when Everton visit the Amex.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Ferdi KADIOGLU, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Olivier BOSCAGLI (Maxim DE CUYPER 88); Carlos BALEBA (James MILNER 81), Pascal GROSS (Georginio RUTTER 88); Diego GOMEZ (Yankuba MINTEH 81), Yasin AYARI, Kaoru MITOMA; Danny WELBECK (Charalampos KOSTOULAS 88). Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), JoelVELTMAN, Diego COPPOLA, Jack HINSHELWOOD.
Fulham line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bernd LENO; Timothy CASTAGNE, Joachim ANDERSEN (Capt), Jorge CUENCA, Antonee ROBINSON (Ryan SESSEGNON 59); Alex IWOBI (Joshua KING 88), Sander BERGE; Harry WILSON, Emile SMITH ROWE (Tom CAIRNEY 69), KEVIN (Samuel CHUKWUEZE 59); Raul JIMENEZ.
Subs not used: Benjamin LECOMTE (G/K), Calvin BASSEY, Issa DIOP, Jonah KUSI-ASARE, Harrison REED.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
Fourth Official: John Busby.
VAR Official: Tony Harrington.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 1 - Charalampos Kostoulas. Fulham: 1 - Sander Berge.
Possession: Albion - 51%. Fulham - 49%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Harry Wilson (Fulham).
Attendance: 27239.
NEXT GAME:
31 JANUARY 2026 - EVERTON - HOME - PREMIER LEAGUE - KICK-OFF 15.00.
Jack Kaye.
29 January 2026..