Fulham scored in the 97th minute to grab a 1-1 draw away at Brighton on Saturday.
WATCH — Full match replay
Matt O’Riley’s penalty kick had given Brighton a second half lead in a very tight game but Fulham kept pushing for an equalizer and it finally arrived through substitute Rodrigo Muniz.
Marco Silva celebrated wildly when that goal went in and at the final whistle, while Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler looked disappointed but a draw was probably a fair result.
Both teams set for European push this season
Brighton and Fulham will both be scrapping to be the ‘best of the rest’ in the Premier League this season and have the advantage of not being in Europe compared to almost half of the league. This game proved just how closely matched they are as a draw was a very fair result. Brighton have plenty of big players to come back into their team, while Fulham have had a quiet summer but Marco Silva is hoping for additions in the final weeks of the transfer window. Both of these teams are a fine example of building a solid base and adding quality sensibly. Can they now take the next step and qualify for Europe? That is tough to do but the platform is there and both teams have to be more consistent as they were too streaky, good and bad, last season.
What’s next?
Brighton head to Everton on Sunday, August 24. Fulham host Manchester United on the same day.
How to watch Brighton vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (August 16)
Venue: Amex Stadium — Falmer
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Brighton vs Fulham score: 1-1
O’Riley 55', Muniz 90+7'
Brighton vs Fulham live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
A corner to the back post is finished by Muniz!
Chaos in the away end as Fulham equalize deep into stoppage time!
Tete should make it 1-1 in stoppage time!
A cross to the back post looks certain for Kenny Tete to make it 1-1, but the Fulham full back somehow fires way over from six yards out. Should have been an equalizer.
Diego Gomez almost scores!
A low drive from Diego Gomez is straight at Bernd Leno but he spills the ball and then gathers the rebound. Almost a second for Brighton.
Penalty to Brighton... and O’Riley slots home!
Rutter is taken out by Berge and a penalty kick is given. That is a great run from Rutter and Berge had a little nibble. Clear penalty. Matt O’Riley steps up and slots home to give Brighton the lead.
King almost slots home!
Iwobi with a lovely through ball to King and his cut back is saved by Verbruggen. Lovely play from Fulham.
Half time: Brighton 0-0 Fulham
Fulham started well but Brighton grew into that first half. As expected, a very even encounter.
Mitoma heads just over
A lovely cross is whipped in and Mitoma climbs high but heads just over. Brighton grabbing control of this game now.
King’s shot deflects over
Youngster Josh King is found by Iwobi and his deflected shot almost flies in at the near post. Fulham have looked dangerous whenever they’ve got forward.
Brighton have the ball in the net, but it’s disallowed
Baleba crosses and Minteh finishes, but the ball was clearly out of play before Baleba crossed it and the linesman flagged. VAR confirms it was the right decision.
Decent early chance for Jimenez
Lovely play by Iwobi who plays it in to Raul Jimenez, but the Mexico striker snatches at the chance. Decent start from Fulham.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, van Hecke, De Cuyper; Ayari, Baleba; Minteh, O’Riley, Mitoma; Rutter
Fulham lineup
Leno; Tete, Anderson, Cuenca, Bassey; Lukic, Berge; Wilson, King, Iwobi; Jimenez
Brighton team news, focus
The Seagulls will look to Kaoru Mitoma to be their leading light in attack, with Georginio Rutter, Danny Welbeck, Yankuba Minteh and new signing Charalampos Kostoulas supporting him. Brighton have everything in place to challenge for Europe and if injuries are kind to them this season, especially in defense, there’s no reason why they can’t shock everyone once again.
OUT: Solly March, Julio Enciso, Adam Webster (all knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Carlos Baleba (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (knock), Diego Gomez (calf), Charalampos Kostoulas (match fitness)
Fulham team news, focus
There is a very settled feel to Fulham, which sums up Marco Silva’s time in charge of the club so far. Every player knows their role and they haven’t spent big this summer because their squad is deep and well-constructed. Raul Jimenez will lead the line and the likes of Alex Iowbi and Emile Smith Rowe will be hoping to create plenty of chances and get on the ball as much as possible.
OUT: Antonee Robinson (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Ryan Sessegnon (other)
Brighton vs Fulham prediction
This feels like it will be a very exciting end-to-end game and both teams will go for it. Brighton 2-2 Fulham.
Brighton vs Fulham preview
The Seagulls just missed out on European qualification last season as their streaky campaign was very promising under young head coach Fabian Hurzeler. They lost key forward Joao Pedro this summer and have big clubs sniffing around other players such as Carlos Baleba, but Brighton’s recruitment strategy continues to impress and they look set to push for a top six finish. They have the advantage over their rivals of not having European action to juggle.
The same is true for Marco Silva’s Fulham who were in the hunt for Europe right until the end of last season but then they faded. Fulham have kept the core of their squad together and although they’ve not added a big name so far this summer, the Cottagers look set for another season of pushing for Europe.
