Still on a high from beating 1995 Champions League winners Ajax in midweek, Brighton started positively, and could have been ahead inside just seven minutes, as Bernd Leno was forced into a double save from Carlos Baleba and Simon Adingra – the former of whom was still searching for his first goal in senior football.
Goals aren’t hard to come by for Evan Ferguson, however, as the Irishman netted his fifth in the league this season to put the Seagulls in front midway through the first half, curling a fine finish into the bottom corner with his weaker left foot.
Significantly, that made Ferguson the league’s top scorer for players aged 21 and younger. Fulham’s best chance of the half fell to Bobby Decordova-Reid later on, but he could only volley over from Willian’s exquisite cross.
It was clear as to why only Burnley and Sheffield United had recorded fewer shots than them in the league before today, as Marco Silva’s side only managed three before HT, and none on target.
The hosts almost doubled their advantage shortly into the second period, but Lewis Dunk’s delicate free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar. Fulham’s first shot on target came a few minutes later, but Willian’s tame effort was comfortably gathered by Jason Steele.
It looked like they were heading towards three away league matches without scoring, but the Cottagers drew level against the run of play, when João Palhinha rifled a powerful shot into the top scorer from Harry Wilson’s lay-off, after the visitors won the ball high in Brighton’s half.
Now the game swung on a pendulum, and it was the visitors who pushed for a winner, as Rodrigo Muniz saw his clever backheel well-saved by Steele.
Brighton could’ve nicked it late on too though, but Adam Webster’s header was brilliantly cleared off the line by Antonee Robinson from a corner.
In the end, both teams had to settle for a point each, as Roberto De Zerbi’s side stay in seventh, while Fulham remain 14th.
Flashscore Man of the Match: João Palhinha (Fulham)
