Brighton and Hove Albion 1 Fulham 1
A stunning strike from Joao Palhinha enabled Fulham to snatch a point at the Amex this afternoon (Sunday 29 October).
The Seagulls were the better side in the early stages and were rewarded through Evan Ferguson’s neat finish before Palhinha’s superb equaliser secured a point for the Londoners.
The result extended Brighton’s winless run to three as they rued missed chances in front of goal.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side showed little sign of fatigue after the 2-0 Europa League win over Ajax on Thursday and nearly took an early lead.
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno kept out Carlos Baleba’s shot from range in the seventh minute and saved Simon Adingra’s effort inside the six-yard box moments later to keep it 0-0.
Baleba was pulling the strings for Brighton as his vision and inch-perfect passes picked out the pacey Adingra, who enjoyed runs into space.
The hosts got the goal they deserved after 26 minutes.
Igor Julio drove the Seagulls up the pitch and Pascal Gross supplied the telling lass and when Ferguson retrieved the ball outside the box he showed excellent composure to slide it past Leno with his left foot into the bottom corner it was an exceptionally well taken goal Ferguson practically passed the ball past Leno.
Ferguson is fast becoming Albion’s answer to a young Wayne Rooney – super confident and gifted but also robust enough to help with defensive duties when required.
The goal highlighted a gulf in quality between the two sides and the lethargic Cottagers were fortunate not to concede again immediately after the kick-off when their defence was caught napping by Adingra.
A rain-soaked Marco Silva cut a frustrated figure and his pleas to his Fulham players were left unanswered as Willian’s wasteful free-kick put an end to the first spell of meaningful possession the visitors had enjoyed in the Brighton half since the opening minutes.
Left-back Antonee Robinson was struggling to cope with Adingra and the American then gifted Ferguson a back pass but the Seagulls’ goalscorer failed to double his tally when he was denied by Leno after 40 minutes.
Brighton started the second half quickly and Lewis Dunk was unfortunate not to score in the 49th minute. The skipper lined up a set-piece and his side-footed effort dipped on to Leno’s crossbar.
Fulham made Brighton pay for their missed chances as they made it 1-1 in the 65th minute through Palhinha.
The visitors threw men forward in numbers and the Portugal international got the ball out of his feet on the edge of the box and blasted an effort past Jason Steele.
The goal swung the momentum in the Londoners’ favour and substitute Rodrigo Muniz nearly punished Brighton from the restart through an audacious back heel that was kept out by Steele.
Albion had the better chances to win it in the later stages. Kaoru Mitoma had a couple of chances to weave into the box but the ball just wouldn’t run for Albion’s Japanese superstar
With a minute of normal time to go Gross swing in a corner that Adam Webster met, his header destined for the top corner. But it was headed away from under the bar by Antonee Robinson.
Gross and Billy Gilmour had efforts charged down but the last chance fell to Igor Julio who fired a shot well wide.
Both teams had opportunities to win it, with Robinson clearing an effort off the line before Harry Wilson came close to grabbing a winner at the other end.
Albion go to Goodison to face Everton next Saturday (4 November), to Amsterdam for a huge clash with Ajax on Thursday 9 November and then host another Premier League match against rock-bottom, seemingly out of their depth Sheffield United on Sunday 12 November.
De Zerbi will be targeting three out of three.
