Brighton & Hove Albion made it six wins in a row in all competitions courtesy of a 2-1 success over Fulham in Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash at the Amex.
The visitors took the lead in the 35th minute of the contest through Raul Jimenez, with the striker firing into the back of the net from close range after smart work from Alex Iwobi.
Brighton levelled the scores six minutes later through Jan Paul van Hecke, though, courtesy of a stunning header.
The home side did have the ball in the back of the net on a further two occasions in the second period through Georginio Rutter and Simon Adingra, only for both efforts to be disallowed for offside.
Brighton would not be denied, though, with Joao Pedro scoring a 98th-minute winner from the penalty spot after the Brazilian had been fouled inside the box by Fulham substitute Harrison Reed.
The result has moved the Seagulls into sixth spot in the Premier League table, just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City, while Fulham stay ninth, five points outside of the Champions League spots.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Brighton are a serious team, and this was a huge result for the Seagulls.
An excellent campaign has seen Fabian Hurzeler's side win 12, draw 10 and lose six of their 28 Premier League matches to collect 46 points, and they are now just one point off the champions Man City, which is quite staggering.
It looked for all of the world that the points would be shared on Saturday, but Brighton would not be denied, finally scoring late on after two disallowed goals in the second period.
Hurzeler's team have now been victorious in their last six matches in all competitions, but Fulham had won five of their last seven entering this match, and Marco Silva's side are also enjoying a strong campaign.
Fulham are far from out of the running when it comes to the European spots, and this was a meeting between two strong Premier League sides, with Pedro's penalty ultimately proving to be the difference at the end of 98 minutes of action.
BRIGHTON VS. FULHAM HIGHLIGHTS
35th min: Brighton 0-1 Fulham (Raul Jimenez)
Fulham make the breakthrough in the 35th minute of the contest, as Jimenez chests down a cross from Iwobi before firing into the back of the net from inside the box - excellent breakaway goal from Silva's side.
41st min: Brighton 1-1 Fulham (Jan Paul van Hecke)
Brighton level the scores in the latter stages of the first period, and it is a towering header from Van Hecke, with the centre-back finding the back of the net from a Yasin Ayari free kick - it is all square at the Amex.
98th min: Brighton 2-1 Fulham (Joao Pedro, penalty)
Brighton win it at the death, with Pedro converting from the penalty spot after Reed had fouled the Seagulls forward.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JAN PAUL VAN HECKE
© Imago
Pedro will receive the headlines due to his late winner, but Van Hecke was in excellent form for Brighton on Saturday afternoon, with the 24-year-old putting in a towering performance in the middle of his side's defence.
Van Hecke levelled the scores with a brilliant header, but it was his overall performance that earns him the man-of-the-match award, boasting a pass success rate of 94%, while he won two tackles.
BRIGHTON VS. FULHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton 53%-47% Fulham
Shots: Brighton 9-6 Fulham
Shots on target: Brighton 4-1 Fulham
Corners: Brighton 3-7 Fulham
Fouls: Brighton 6-12 Fulham
BEST STAT
All 10 of Raúl Jiménez's Premier League goals this season have either put Fulham ahead (7) or drawn them level (3) in the match.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) March 8, 2025
Opening the scoring again today. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/10oTpn8eDN
WHAT NEXT?
Brighton will be bidding to make it seven wins in a row in all competitions when they continue their Premier League campaign with a contest against the champions Man City at the Etihad Stadium next Saturday.
Fulham, meanwhile, have a London derby to look forward to next Sunday, with Tottenham Hotspur their opponents at Craven Cottage.
Matt Law
