Fulham claimed a dominant 3-1 victory over Brighton at Craven Cottage, thanks to Alex Iwobi’s incredible performance. The Nigerian international scored twice, proving vital for Marco Silva’s side, who now sit sixth in the Premier League standings.
Iwobi opened the scoring in just the fourth minute, punishing Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s poor pass. Fulham’s early pressure paid off, with Iwobi pressing high to capitalize on the mistake. The hosts seemed confident, but Brighton quickly responded, creating several first-half chances.
Brighton’s Fightback
Brighton, led by interim manager Fabian Hurzeler, dominated much of the first half despite conceding early. Joao Pedro forced a brilliant save from Bernd Leno, while Simon Adingra’s close-range effort was also denied by the in-form Fulham goalkeeper.
Brighton’s persistence paid off in the second half. Eleven minutes after the restart, Carlos Baleba volleyed home a stunning goal from the edge of the box, leveling the game at 1-1. Jan Paul van Hecke’s long pass was perfectly cushioned by Pedro, setting up Baleba for his powerful left-footed strike.
Baleba’s celebration—a daring somersault—captured Brighton’s fighting spirit. The match was now balanced, with both teams pushing for the win.
Fulham Regain Control
Marco Silva introduced Andreas Pereira, and the substitution proved crucial. In the 79th minute, Pereira’s corner deflected off Brighton’s Matt O’Riley and into the net. It was Fulham’s first goal from a corner in nearly eight months, ending a streak of 127 unsuccessful attempts.
Brighton looked shaken after the own goal, and Fulham took full advantage. With just three minutes left, Iwobi sealed the victory in style. His curling shot into the bottom-right corner was unstoppable, leaving Verbruggen rooted to the spot.
Iwobi’s second goal marked his third in four games, along with two assists, highlighting his exceptional form. Silva praised Iwobi’s versatility, saying, “We played him in a different position, and he delivered an amazing performance.”
Hurzeler Stands by Verbruggen
Brighton’s goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, has been under scrutiny for costly mistakes this season. His error handed Fulham their first goal, but Hurzeler defended his player.
“It’s what I demand from my players—to find solutions from the back,” Hurzeler said. “Mistakes happen in football, and they help players grow. Bart will improve and learn from this.”
Brighton have now conceded six goals from individual errors this season, second only to Southampton. Despite their struggles, Hurzeler remained positive, saying, “We didn’t deserve to lose. We created chances but weren’t clinical enough.”
Silva’s Verdict
Fulham manager Marco Silva called the win a “big three points” in a tough game. “Brighton made it difficult in the first half,” he admitted. “But we improved after the break and got the result we wanted.”
Silva also highlighted Iwobi’s impact, praising his ability to adapt to a deeper midfield role. “He’s an offensive player, but he worked hard for the team and got two goals.”
Brighton’s Missed Opportunities
Despite the loss, Brighton showed flashes of brilliance. Their attacking patterns were impressive, but their finishing let them down. Hurzeler admitted the team needs to be “more clinical in the opponent’s box” to avoid punishment in future games.
Brighton now faces the challenge of bouncing back, while Fulham can enjoy the boost ahead of a tough clash with Arsenal.
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This win sees Fulham climb to sixth in the table, with momentum on their side. Brighton, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they aim to stay competitive in a challenging Premier League season.