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Muniz scores late Fulham leveller to share points with Brighton in opener

Fulham's Brazilian striker #09 Rodrigo Muniz (L) celebrates scoring a late equalising goal
Fulham's Brazilian striker #09 Rodrigo Muniz (L) celebrates scoring a late equalising goal Glyn KIRK / AFP

Brighton & Hove Albion were denied the chance 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 Stadium

Key stats

- Brighton have scored in their last nine Premier League games

- Brighton have avoided defeat in their last 15 matches when scoring first in the Premier League, since a 1-2 loss to Liverpool in November 2024

- For the first time in the last five Premier League seasons, Brighton have failed to win their opening fixture

Highlights

Analysis

Dunk heat map
Dunk heat mapGareth Fuller, PA Images / Alamy / Profimedia / Opta by Stats Perform

Lewis Dunk had more touches than anyone else on the pitch against Fulham.

Momentum
MomentumOpta by Stats Perform

The momentum pendulum swung through the fixture.

Match report

It 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 chance of the first half fell to Harry Wilson, who headed over at the back post, but it remained goalless at HT 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 João 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. 

As 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 Gómez’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.

Match stats
Match statsOpta by Stats Perform

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

Flashscore Man of the Match: Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham)

Post-match comments

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler to BBC Sport:

"For sure it feels painful. It's really important to take the positives away. We played well and defended good.

"We should score the second goal and I think the game would be over. That's football.

"We controlled most of the first half, although there were not a load of chances. We had to be patient."

Catch up on the match here with Flashscore