Greg . 2 days ago

Fulham score stoppage-time equaliser to begin season with draw against Brighton

Brighton were denied the opportunity to earn a fifth consecutive Premier League (PL) opening day victory, after Fulham netted a 97th-minute equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at the AMEX StadiumIt took just four minutes for Brighton to find the net through Yankuba Minteh, but the home side were denied a jubilant opener after it was ruled out due to the ball running out of play.

The Seagulls continued to push though, as Georginio Rutter tested Bernd Leno from range, before Mats Wieffer’s header was held by the goalkeeper.

Fulham’s best opportunity of the first half fell to Harry Wilson, who headed over at the back post, but it remained goalless at the break following an underwhelming opening 45 minutes.

Brighton continued their momentum into the second half, and won a penalty thanks to a great run from Rutter into the box before he was clipped by Sander Berge.

 With Joao Pedro no longer at the club, spot kick duties fell to Matt O'Riley, and he calmly slotted into the bottom corner.

He has now scored five of his last six penalties, and it was the 1000th goal Fulham have conceded in the PL.

 Match statsOpta by Stats PerformAs the Cottagers chased an equaliser, it left space for Brighton on the break, and Minteh really should have done better as he lashed over in a good position.

The Seagulls almost doubled their lead as Diego Gomez’s strike spun behind Leno, but the German recovered to keep the ball from going over the line.

However, deep into stoppage time, the ball fell to Rodrigo Muniz at the back post from a corner, and he struck into the bottom corner to snatch a dramatic late point for Fulham.

Brighton were denied a fourth straight PL win as a result, and will be gutted weighing up they dominated large parts of the game.

Betopick Man of the Match: Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham)MomentumOpta by Stats PerformCatch up on the match here with Betopick