Match Report
Brighton and Hove Albion (0) 1-1 (0) Fulham
Premier League Match Day 01 25_26 at American Express Stadium
Saturday 16th August 2025, KO: 15:00
Referee:
Samuel Barrott (West Riding)
|
Fulham started off the 2025/26 season with a dramatic point on the road, drawing 1-1 at Brighton thanks to Rodrigo Muniz’s last-gasp strike.
A Matt O’Reilly penalty early in the second-half looked like it was going to be the difference, but Muniz popped up in the 96th minute to rescue a draw.
The game was preceded by an impeccably observed minute’s silence in memory of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
It was almost the perfect start as Fulham attacked early through Josh King, but when Raúl Jiménez got the chance in the middle, he could only strike wide while off-balance.
Brighton provided a scary moment as Yankuba Minteh thrashed home inside the box, but the goal was correctly chalked off as the ball had gone out of play on the touchline in the build-up.
The home side had a let-off themselves when Carlos Baleba’s strong tackle on Josh King had Fulham fans calling for a red card. In fact, the referee didn’t even award a free-kick for the dangerous challenge.
| Match Stats |
Brighton |
Fulham |
| Goals |
(0) 1 |
1 (0) |
|
| Scorers |
O'Riley pen 55 |
Muniz 96 |
| , |
| Goal attempts |
10 |
7 |
| On target |
4 |
2 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
40% |
28% |
| Possession |
50% |
50% |
| Passes |
418 |
409 |
| Passes Success |
87% |
82% |
| Crosses |
11 |
14 |
| Crosses Success |
36% |
29% |
| Corners |
4 |
3 |
| Tackles |
17 |
15 |
| Tackles Success |
47% |
47% |
| Saves |
1 |
3 |
| Fouls |
16 |
15 |
| Offsides |
3 |
2 |
| Yellows |
3 |
3 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: SkySports |
King caused further issues moments later when he nipped in ahead of his defender inside the penalty area, but despite going down under the challenge, Brighton survived again as VAR cleared the appeals.
Fulham – wearing all-green for the first time – remained in relative control, although Bernd Leno had to get down well to save Georginio Rutter’s drive from the edge of the box, and Kaoru Mitoma headed a deep cross onto the roof of the net.
With just a few minutes until half-time, Harry Wilson was found at the back stick with a pinpoint cross from Alex Iwobi, but the Wales international couldn’t keep his header on target.
It was another fast start after the interval as Iwobi slid in King, but the youngster couldn’t beat goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen on a tight angle.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead when Sander Berge tangled legs with Rutter in the box, and Matt O’Reilly’s penalty beat Leno to find the bottom corner.
There were appeals for a spot-kick to fall Fulham’s way when Carlos Beleba shoved Calvin Bassey in the back, but the referee waved away the protests.
The home side almost doubled their lead when Mitoma broke free and found Minteh, but with Leno bearing down on him, the winger fired well over.
The introduction of Tom Cairney, Muniz and Adama Traoré livened things up as Fulham tried to force a way back into the game, although Brighton still threatened. Diego Gómez’s shot almost bounced up and over Leno, but our ‘keeper dealt with the effort.
With time running out, some sloppy defensive play let in O’Reilly, but his finish went narrowly wide of the post.
Still Fulham ploughed forwards, with Kenny Tete lashing over the bar when he should have kept his effort on target, while Emile Smith Rowe’s shot was deflected marginally wide when he tried to place it into the corner.
Our efforts were finally rewarded when Wilson’s corner found its way to Muniz, with our number nine finishing past Verbruggen to send the away end into raptures.
Fulham boss Marco Silva:
"I think [Muniz] deserves respect for [playing despite speculation over his future] . Rodrigo is a man, he's not a young lad no more but he's still young.
"This is going to be the third season that Rodrigo is going to have as a senior player because the others before were an adaptation in England. And there was one bad spell at Boro when he was on loan.
"The last two seasons he proved himself as a Premier League striker in my opinion and I'm sure that this season is going to be even better.
"The week from him was very, very good in terms of preparation, work ethic and all that stuff was very good and as simple as that, of course he was able to help the team.
"He was rewarded for that, he helped the team. I know Rodrigo very well but he show for everybody - amid the noise around him - how he's a professional football player and how he respects myself, the team-mates as well.
"Sometimes it's not the rumour around themselves, the people around themselves, you are talking about their jobs as well and a lot of things around but I think he's going to handle in the future even better this type of moments."
Brighton and Hove Albions: Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper, Baleba (Gomez 69), Ayari, Minteh (Kadioglu 69), O'Riley (Milner 88), Mitoma (Gruda 83), Rutter (Welbeck 69)
Unused substitutes: Boscagli, Steele, Veltman, Coppola
Goals:
O'Riley 55 (PENALTY TO BRIGHTON! Rutter is brought down by Berge in the penalty area and referee Sam Barrott points to the spot. Leno guesses the right way but he cannot get to the ball as it nestles right in the corner.)
Yellow Card:
Fulham: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Cuenca (Castagne 84), Bassey, Lukic, Berge (Cairney 66), Wilson, King (Smith Rowe 77), Iwobi (Traore 66), Jimenez (Muniz 66)
Unused substitutes: Reed, Pereira, Lecomte, Diop
Goals: Mitoma (f,60), Kadioglu (f,73), Gomez (f78)
Muniz 90+6 (UNBELIEVABLE!
Fulham have snatched a point right at the end of stoppage time!
A corner somehow drops at the far post to Muniz, who bundles the ball home to spark wild Fulham celebrations.)
Yellow Card: Bassey (f,31), Cairney (f,93), Muniz (excel,97)
Referee:
Samuel Barrott (West Riding)
Attendance: N/A
Fulham are next in action at 16.30 next Sunday, 24th August, when they welcome Manchester United to Craven Cottage.