Exclusive: Brighton comeback sparked by 'harsh' free kick against Fulham's Pereira

Fulham can justifiably feel hard done by over the free-kick from which they conceded an equaliser in their defeat to Brighton, Keith Hackett has said.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the movement of Andreas Pereira may have worked against him during his challenge on Carlos Baleba.

Brighton came from a goal down to beat Fulham 2-1 at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday (8 March) in what could be a key result as the two sides chase European football.

Their winner came from a stoppage time penalty after Joao Pedro was controversially judged to have been fouled by Harrison Reed.

Now Hackett believes that Fulham were also unfortunate by with the goal they had already conceded to give Brighton a route back into the game.

Andreas Pereira challenge on Carlos Baleba a turning point

With 40 minutes on the clock and Fulham leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Raul Jimenez, the hosts were handed an equaliser from a set piece.

Pereira was judged to have fouled Baleba midway inside the visitor's half, with the midfielder leading with his arm as he went to jostle with the Brighton ace from behind for the ball.

Despite the protestations of the Brazilian, referee Sam Barrott stuck with his decision to award a free-kick to Fabian Hurzeler's side.

The resulting set-piece from Yasin Ayari was than headed in by Jan Paul van Hecke for his first Brighton goal to level the scores.

Now, Hackett has suggested that Pereira can be frustrated that the free kick was awarded against him, considering football is meant to be a contact sport.

Keith Hackett assesses Fulham complaints over Brighton free kick

Speaking to Football Insider about that decision to give that free-kick against Fulham, the former referee said:

"I think because he moves his hand and arm away from his body, that's why the referee's given the free kick.

"I can understand why he's complaining, in a scenario of football, it's a contact sport, I think it's a harsh free kick.

"But you can't criticise because he's got suspicions signalled from the player which is why he's given it, and that is the follow through of the arm extending out from the body, that's why he's got the free kick."

Fulham will look to respond to that defeat when they host Tottenham on Sunday (16 March) with Brighton due to continue their European push away at Man City the day before.