Brighton won the battle of two European hopefuls as Joao Pedro’s penalty kick in the 98th minute secured a dramatic 2-1 win against Fulham at the Amex on Saturday.
WATCH – Full match replay
Fulham took the lead through Raul Jimenez but Jan Paul van Hecke equalized before half time. Brighton scored twice in the second half but both were ruled out for offside before Joao Pedro stepped up and scored the winner deep into stoppage time from the penalty spot.
With the win Brighton have now secured six victories in a row in all competitions as they move on to 46 points and are four points ahead of Fulham.
Seagulls feeding off Hurzeler’s anger
Young coach Fabian Hurzeler has some fire to him. That was lit after a poor run of form to 2025 culminated in Brighton lost 7-0 at Nottingham Forest. If Brighton do go on finish in the European spots and maybe even win the FA Cup, that game will be seen as the turning point. Hurzeler was angry, upset and was not going to stand for his first season as a manager in the Premier League falling apart like that. And it hasn’t. Six straight wins in all competitions since then has propelled Brighton back into the Champions League conversation and their in the FA Cup quarterfinals against Forest, with a chance for revenge for that hammering. Brighton deserved to beat Fulham on Saturday because they just keep pouring forward, flying into tackles and doing everything they could to get the victory. The penalty late on may have been soft but Fulham can have no complaints about the result. Brighton were the deserved winners and right now they’re barging their way towards the Champions League spots.
Brighton vs Fulham player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Brighton travel to Manchester City on Saturday, March 15. Fulham host Tottenham on Sunday, March 16.
Brighton vs Fulham score: 2-1
Van Hecke 41', Pedro 90+8'; Jimenez 35'
Brighton vs Fulham live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Penalty and a winner for Brighton! — Brighton 2-1 Fulham
Oh wow. Brighton win it! Joao Pedro is clipped in the box by Harrison Reed and a penalty kick is given. Fulham can’t believe it but it it’s clever play by Joao Pedro and he slots home the penalty to send the home fans wild.
Adingra’s goal ruled out for offside
Another disallowed goal for Brighton. Adingra finishes but he was just offside.
Iwobi’s shot blocked
USMNT’s Antonee Robinson does really well down the left and picks out Iwobi. His shot is on target but Van Hecke blocks really well and the ball eventually goes out for a goal kick. Fulham are setting traps for Brighton.
It’s going a bit tetchy out there
Plenty of tackles flying in and this is so tight and tense. Both teams know how big a win would be in their quest for European qualification. Welbeck and March are on for Brighton.
Mitoma has the ball in the net... but the flag is up
A cross into the box finds Minteh and his cross to the back post is tapped home by Mitoma. The flag is up right away but VAR is checking. But the goal does not stand.
Jimenez drills wide
Fulham are free over the top and Jimenez charges down the right but drills wide of the near post from a tight angle. He had no real support, so with the form he’s been in why not have a pop?
Joao Pedro curls wide
A big chance for Brighton at the start of the second half but Joao Pedro bends his effort just wide of the far post. The hosts have started the second half well but Fulham continue to look very dangerous on the counter.
Half time: Brighton 1-1 Fulham
As expected, a really fun game. Both teams going for it and it has led to an open, end-to-end clash with real quality on show. Plenty more goals in this one!
Van Hecke heads home — Brighton 1-1 Fulham
How easy was that for Brighton!? They clip in a pretty innocuous looking free kick and nobody is marking Jan Paul van Hecke who drifts in from out wide and sends a long-distance header into the far corner. The Dutch defender celebrates wildly. Brighton are level and that feels about right.
Jimenez with a fine finish after great play from Iwobi! — Brighton 0-1 Fulham
What a goal from Fulham. Iwobi surges superbly down the right and sends in a great cross for Jimenez. He still has to much to do but brings the ball down on his chest and smashes home. The Cottagers lead.
Leno denies Minteh
Minteh has a cross deflected and it could sneak in at the near post but Leno pushes it wide.
Ayari’s shot deflected wide
A low shot from Ayari takes a deflection and flies wide. The corner comes to nothing but Brighton are starting to get some control.
All Fulham early on
Brighton can’t get a foothold in this game. Fulham are flying forward out wide and Robinson has had some joy down the left as a wing-back.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan; Minteh, Ayari, Baleba, Mitoma; Rutter, Joao Pedro
Fulham lineup
Leno; Diop, Andersen, Bassey; Castagne, Pereira, Berge, Robinson; Iwobi, Smith Rowe; Jimenez
Brighton team news, focus
OUT: Tariq Lamptey (suspension), Lewis Dunk (abdominal), Igor Julio (hamstring), Jason Steele (shoulder), James Milner (thigh), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Joel Veltman (ankle)
Fulham team news, focus
OUT: Harry Wilson (foot), Kenny Tete (knee), Reiss Nelson (hamstring), Sasa Lukic (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Adama Traore (ankle)
Brighton vs Fulham prediction
This feels like both teams will be wary of the other on the counter, so it could be a little cagier to start. But if there’s an early goal, huge gaps will open up. Go for a draw. Brighton 2-2 Fulham.
Brighton vs Fulham preview
Both of these teams have reached the FA Cup quarterfinals and both are in the hunt for European qualification after having fine campaigns. Young coach Fabian Hurzeler has really seen his Brighton side kick on in recent weeks with five-straight wins in all competitions following their 7-0 hammering at Nottingham Forest in early February. They’re now within touching distance of the top four and their forwards of Mitoma, Welbeck, Rutter, Joao Pedro and Minteh are so dangerous.
Fulham have been solid all season long under Marco Silva and are just one point behind Brighton in the table going into this game. Nobody really expected this from the Cottagers this season but they used the Joao Palhinha money extremely well and their squad is so much stronger this season as Silva has plenty of attacking and midfield options. Bernd Leno was their hero in goal in the FA Cup last 16 penalty kick shootout win at Manchester United last time out.
