Joao Pedro’s injury-time penalty saw Brighton beat Fulham 2-1 at the Amex as Fabian Hurzeler’s side moved up to sixth place in the Premier League.
With the clock past the allocated five minutes of stoppage time, substitute Harrison Reed rashly caught Pedro as the forward nipped in to win possession near the byline, with referee Sam Barrott immediately pointing to the spot.
Pedro kept his cool to beat Bernd Leno and score in three consecutive league matches for the first time, despite the Fulham No 1 diving the right way and getting a hand to the penalty, as Brighton won a fourth successive top-flight game for the first time in almost 44 years, as well as registering a first-ever Premier League victory over the Cottagers.
These two evenly matched sides had come into the game in impressive form, although for large parts of the contest they cancelled each other out in the south-coast sunshine.
It was Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez who combined to open the scoring for the visitors as the former made a lung-busting 60-yard run down the right flank, before sending in a high cross that the Mexico striker did brilliantly to chest down and then beat Bart Verbruggen with a low drive at his near post.
Raul Jimenez celebrates after givng Fulham a first-half lead at Brighton
The lead lasted just over five minutes, however, as Brighton soon levelled through Jan Paul van Hecke’s first goal for the club, with the tall centre back rising high to head home Yasin Ayari’s looping free kick as Fulham’s defence went to sleep.
In a cagey second period, the closest either team came to grabbing a winner was when the unmarked Kaoru Mitoma tapped home at the far post after a lovely passing move, only for the flag to immediately go up to correctly judge Yankuba Minteh offside after being released by Pedro, before Simon Adingra also saw a late effort ruled out for offside.
Jan Paul van Hecke celebrates after equalising for Brighton against Fulham
That was until the late drama, though, with the three points moving Brighton level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea, albeit having now played a game more than the Blues, while Fulham stay ninth.
Are Brighton timing their Champions League run to perfection?
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Richard Morgan:
“When Brighton were destroyed 7-0 at Nottingham Forest at the start of February, they were languishing down in 10th place in the Premier League, with their season threatening to fizzle out.
“Fast forward just over a month and Fabian Hurzeler’s side have roared up to sixth in the standings, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea [albeit having played a game more than the Blues] after beating Fulham late at the Amex to register a fourth successive top-flight win for the first time in almost 44 years.
Joao Pedro scores an injury-time penalty to put Brighton 2-1 up against Fulham
“The young German was quick to dampen expectations after the game, telling his players to ‘focus on the next challenge’, but with fifth place looking increasingly likely to bring Champions League football next season – and all its associated riches – it really is now all to play for in the final 10 league matches of the campaign.
“Sure, it is incredibly congested in that fight to make Europe’s Premier club competition, with even Brighton’s defeated opponents on Saturday still in with a chance, but with clashes to come against top-five rivals Man City, Aston Villa and Newcastle, the Seagulls do have their Champions League fate in their own hands.”
What the managers said…
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler:
“We are pleased, because for every Premier League game, to get the wins is so tough. These are the things we have to continue doing.
Premier League match at the American Express Stadium, Brighton and Hove. Picture date: Saturday March 8, 2025.”/>
Joao Pedro (right) celebrates his late winner
“There is not momentum. I understand why every game is a new challenge. We have to enjoy today, enjoy tomorrow, and then focus on the next challenge.”
Fulham boss Marco Silva:
“It’s a difficult one to take, to lose like we lost. But that’s the reality. It’s football. We gave them two moments.
“The first half from us was a good level, the second half I disagree. When the game was really quiet and we were completely in control, we conceded a goal from a free-kick.
Jan Paul van Hecke heads Brighton level against Fulham
“We gave them a chance. And then it was not a good second half from us. It’s clearly our fault that we lost the game.
“I’m not complaining [about the penalty]. A clever striker felt contact and won the penalty.
“We expect this type of striker to do his job. If it was my side I’d ask for a penalty.”
