Alex Iwobi delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice to propel Fulham into the top half of the Premier League standings with a crucial victory over Brighton at Craven Cottage. The win reinforced Fulham’s solid home form and extended Brighton’s unenviable record of never defeating the Cottagers in the Premier League.
The game sparked into life almost immediately. Just three minutes in, a mistake from Brighton handed Fulham the lead. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen attempted a risky pass towards Carlos Baleba on the edge of the penalty area, but Iwobi intercepted the ball and calmly slotted it into an empty net before Verbruggen could recover.
Brighton quickly sought to respond, nearly equalizing when Jan Paul van Hecke played a well-measured through-ball to João Pedro. However, Pedro’s effort was thwarted by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who was in fine form throughout the match. Calvin Bassey also played a pivotal defensive role, blocking consecutive efforts from Baleba and Pedro to preserve Fulham’s advantage.
The visitors continued to press, with their best chance of the first half coming from a slick move down the left. Kaoru Mitoma delivered a low cross that O’Riley allowed to run to Simon Adingra. Adingra’s first-time strike from close range seemed destined for the net, but Leno pulled off a stunning save to keep Fulham ahead. Just before the break, Rodrigo Muniz had an opportunity to double Fulham’s lead, but his header from Antonee Robinson’s cross narrowly missed the target.
The second half began with more action as Harry Wilson chased a lofted ball over the top but failed to keep his volley on target. Fulham appealed for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike Baleba’s arm in the box, but the referee and VAR dismissed the claims. Brighton capitalized on the reprieve, earning a corner from which Van Hecke headed just over the bar. Moments later, they found the equalizer through a more direct approach. A long ball from Van Hecke was expertly cushioned by Pedro into Baleba’s path, and the Cameroonian midfielder rifled a low shot past Leno to level the scores.
With momentum on their side, Brighton pushed forward but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Fulham, meanwhile, showed resilience and regained the lead with just over ten minutes remaining. A well-delivered corner from substitute Andreas Pereira skimmed off the head of Bassey and deflected into the net via Matt O’Riley’s back, an unfortunate own goal that gave the hosts a crucial advantage.
As Brighton sought a late equalizer, Iwobi sealed the victory with a moment of individual brilliance. Collecting the ball on the edge of the box, he spun away from two defenders before curling a sublime shot past Verbruggen into the far corner, capping off a memorable performance.
After the match, Iwobi reflected on his contributions, expressing satisfaction with the result and acknowledging his own need to contribute more in front of goal. He highlighted the team’s strategic approach to pressing Brighton, particularly their tendency to play out from the back, which led to his first goal.
Manager Marco Silva praised his team’s effort, emphasizing the importance of the early goal and the tactical adjustments made to counter Brighton’s three-at-the-back system. While acknowledging the difficulties posed by their opponents, Silva commended his players for their resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments, particularly in set-piece situations.
The victory showcased Fulham’s growing confidence and tactical discipline as they continue to climb the table. With Iwobi hitting form and key players like Leno and Bassey contributing decisively, the Cottagers have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League this season.
