Match Report
Fulham (1) 3-1 (0) Brighton and Hove Albion
Premiership Match Day 14 24/25 at Craven Cottage
Thursday 5th December 2024 KO: 19:30
Referee:
Peter Bankes (Lancashire)
Live on Amazon Prime
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Finishes from Alex Iwobi either side of an own goal from former Fulham midfielder Matt O’Riley secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on Thursday evening.
The game was just getting going when Iwobi capitalised on a terrible error from Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to open the scoring, but the visitors drew level early in the second half through a spectacular Carlos Baleba strike.
Brighton had plenty of the play after that but Fulham wrestled back control and went in front when the unfortunate O’Riley diverted Andreas Pereira’s corner in, before Iwobi made sure of the points with a wonderful turn and finish.
Marco Silva made a trio of changes to the side that was held by Tottenham Hotspur four days earlier. Timothy Castagne started at right-back in the Premier League for the first time this season in place of Kenny Tete, Rodrigo Muniz was preferred to Raul Jimenez up front, and Harry Wilson replaced the suspended Sasa Lukic, meaning a more central and slightly deeper role for Iwobi.
Any fears that playing as the eight would hinder Iwobi’s goal threat were allayed after three minutes. He was given a hand by Verbruggen playing the ball straight to him, but still had to shimmy away from his marker before planting an accurate strike beyond the reach of last man Lewis Dunk.
Moments later our number 17 sprinted through the middle of the park and beyond the Brighton backline to get on the end of Muniz’s flick, but Igor Julio recovered well to smother his shot.
| Match Stats |
Fulham |
Brighton |
| Goals |
(1) 3 |
1 (0) |
|
| Scorers |
Iwobi 4 |
Baleba 56 |
| Scorers |
O'Riley og 79 |
- |
| Scorers |
Iwobi 87 |
- |
| , |
| Goal attempts |
6 |
13 |
| On target |
2 |
3 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
33% |
23% |
| Possession |
43% |
57% |
| Passes |
382 |
499 |
| Passes Success |
81% |
88% |
| Corners |
5 |
6 |
| Tackles |
16 |
11 |
| Tackles Success |
44% |
46% |
| Saves |
2 |
0 |
| Fouls |
7 |
8 |
| Offsides |
0 |
1 |
| Yellows |
2 |
2 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: SkySports |
Brighton then sprang to life with a couple of chances, Baleba firing over and Joao Pedro drawing a firm stop from Bernd Leno.
It was an all-action start, with fewer than 13 minutes played when Muniz rose highest to meet Wilson’s outswinging corner. He made good contact but his downwards header dropped just wide of the post.
After a frenetic opening to the game, the chances dried up for a while, that was until Kaoru Mitoma cut back to Simon Adingra who smashed a first time strike on target, to which Leno reacted incredibly to push away.
The subsequent corner dropped kindly for Pervis Estupinan on the edge of the box, but he dragged his powerful effort wide.
The Seagulls had grown into the game but it was Fulham who came closest to grabbing the game’s second goal at the end of the half, a slick move down the left culminating in Muniz heading Antonee Robinson’s cross wide.
The second half started with us in the ascendancy, too, as we went close within seven seconds as a kick-off routine led to Iwobi picking out the forward run of Wilson, who volleyed off target on his right foot as the ball dropped over his shoulder.
The first Brighton threat of the second period arrived on 54 minutes when a really dangerous corner from O’Riley picked out Jan Paul van Hecke six yards out, but he nodded inches over.
Their next chance was a much harder one, but it was one which drew them level, with Baleba drilling a brilliant low volley inside the far post following a deft flick from Pedro 25 yards out.
Chances at either end then saw van Hecke make a last ditch tackle as Nelson went to pull the trigger, before a battle of the 33s saw Robinson block a fierce strike from Fulham Academy graduate O’Riley.
Adama Traore and Andreas had been sent on to try and restore the Whites’ attacking impetus, and they soon had impacts. Adama’s powerful running won a corner, and Andreas’ wicked delivery was diverted into his own net by O’Riley.
The boys did not sit back thereafter, and were duly rewarded with our third. After positive play from Premier League debutant Josh King who had come off the bench when we went 2-1 up, Robinson found Iwobi who showed incredible footwork in the box to work space for a shot which he bent inside the far post. A lovely way to secure a very impressive three points.
SkySports
Player of the Match: Alex Iwobi
Fulham boss Marco Silva said:
"It was a big three points for us in a tough game. We started in the best way possible with the early goal but Brighton made it really difficult for us in the first half. They started with three at the back and it made it difficult for us to connect with the wide players.
"Second half we were much better. We conceded in a moment we should prepare better for the long ball. It was a good shot from the edge of the box. Difficult game but a big three points for us.
"We played with Alex Iwobi in a different position. He's an offensive player and did an amazing job this evening.
Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Iwobi, Berge (Cuenca 91), Wilson (King 80), Smith Rowe (Pereira 71), Nelson (Traore 71), Muniz (Jimenez 80)
Unused substitutes: Tete, Vinicius, Benda, Sessegnon
Goals:
Iwobi 04 (A huge error hands Fulham the lead.
Goalkeeper Verbruggen plays a pass straight to Iwobi, who takes a touch before steering the ball into an empty net.
The only bright spot for Brighton is they have time to recover.
That was a mess.)
O'Riley og 79 (Perreira's corner goes through a crowd of players and hits O'Riley on the back before finding the bottom corner.
Brighton's players aren't happy. Lewis Dunk's wants a foul for a push, but he's not going to get one.
Fulham have the lead!)
Iwobi 87 (Game, set and match!
The points are in the bag for Fulham.
Iwobi was gifted his first goal by Verbruggen but he had plenty to do here.
He turns in a tight space in the penalty area before firing a right-footed shot into the bottom corner.)
Booked: Berge (32,f), Perreira (90+3,f),
Brighton and Hove Albion : Verbruggen, van Hecke (Lamptey 72), Dunk, Igor, Adingra (Minteh 80), Baleba, Wieffer (Gruda 86), Estupinan, O'Riley (Rutter 81), Mitoma, Pedro (Ferguson 80)
Unused substitutes: Moder, Steele, Ayari, McConville
Goals:
Baleba 56 (It's a deserved equaliser for Brighton.
Van Hecke clips the ball forward and Joao Pedro's touch is exquisite!
With the outside of the boot, he touches the ball into the path of Baleba, who beats Leno with a low strike into the far corner.
Game on!)
Booked: Van Hecke (63,f), Dunk (84,dis),
Referee:
Peter Bankes (Lancashire)
Attendance: 26,368
Fulham are next in action on Sunday 8th December when Arsenal come visiting.