Alex Iwobi stuns, Emile Smith Rowe miserable – Fulham ratings in loss vs Brighton
Fulham were desperately unfortunate after losing 2-1 to Brighton after a controversial last-minute penalty decision.
Raul Jimenez opened the scoring for the Cottagers in the 35th minute, as Alex Iwobi sprinted past half the Brighton team before setting up the Mexican, who coolly brought the ball down with his chest, and fired home past Verbruggen.
Brighton equalised in the 41st minute, as Jimenez and Calvin Bassey lost their markers, allowing Jan Paul van Hecke a free header from a Yasin Ayari cross.
During the second-half, Marco Silva‘s side withdrew into their own half as the Seagulls took control of proceedings.
Fulham thought they had claimed a point against Brighton, until a foul was given against Harrison Reed, and Joao Pedro converted the penalty he had won.
The Whites stay ninth, but lose ground on their opponents in the race for European football.
Marco Silva watches his side lose late vs Brighton
Bernd Leno – 5
Got a hand to Pedro’s penalty but was unable to keep the effort out.
Issa Diop – 6
An understated performance from Diop, reliable as ever.
Joachim Andersen – 6
Looks at his best in a three-at-the-back defensive set-up, given the Danish international’s passing range.
Calvin Bassey – 7
Bassey was robbed of a player-of-the-match award against Man United, staunch defensively and his passing is very under-rated.
Timothy Castagne – 6
Castagne’s form has scared off Fulham targets this season, the Belgian right-back dealt well with Kaoru Mitoma.
Andreas Pereira (off for Reed 82′) – 6
Dropped from Brazil’s squad for the upcoming games having been an irregular feature for Fulham this season, solid performance against Brighton.
Antonee Robinson disappoints after Liverpool rumours
Sander Berge – 5
Failed to win the midfield battle against Brighton’s Baleba and Ayari.
Antonee Robinson – 5
Robinson has been linked with a move to Liverpool, but was not at his usual best against the Seagulls.
Emile Smith-Rowe (off for Willian) – 4
Largely absent for most of the match, a disappointing day for the former Arsenal man.
Alex Iwobi (off for Sessegnon) – 8 – Player-of-the-Match
Made a lung-busting 60-yard run down the wing before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Jimenez’s opener.
Raul Jimenez (off for Muniz 69′) – 7
Fulham are lining up a move for a new striker in the summer, scored a wonderfully composed finish to give the Whites the lead.
Raul Jimenez makes the most of limited service
Substitutes
Rodrigo Muniz (on for Jimenez 69′) – 5
Offered little after coming on for Jimenez.
Harrison Reed (on for Pereira 82′) – 5
Was unfortunate to give away the penalty after coming off the bench.
Willian (on for Smith Rowe 82′) – 6
Still being slowly reintegrated after re-joining Fulham, did not have a lot of touches after coming on.
Ryan Sessegnon (on for Iwobi 89′) – 6
Was not given enough time to influence play.