Fulham Secure Dramatic 2-1 Victory Over Brighton As Wilson Nets Stoppage-Time Free-Kick

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Harry Wilson delivered a dramatic winner as Fulham beat Brighton 2-1 with a 92nd-minute free-kick at Craven Cottage. The late strike lifted Fulham into the Premier League’s top half. Brighton had earlier led through Yasin Ayari, before Samuel Chukwueze levelled in the second half on a tense afternoon by the Thames.

The contest shifted several times. Brighton went ahead before the interval, Fulham replied after the break, and Danny Welbeck briefly believed Brighton had gone back in front. A VAR check ended those hopes, and the match remained level until Wilson’s decisive set-piece deep into added time.

Wilson won a free-kick in stoppage time and stepped up from distance on the right. The Wales international hit a powerful effort that Bart Verbruggen reached but could not keep out, pushing the ball into the roof of the net. Craven Cottage erupted as Fulham secured all three points with almost the final kick.

Earlier, Raul Jimenez created the first clear opening in the 24th minute. Jimenez spun away from a defender inside the area and shot low at the near post. Verbruggen reacted sharply to block, setting the tone for a busy afternoon in the Brighton goal as Fulham pushed forward.

Brighton struck first four minutes after Jimenez’s chance. Ayari collected the ball just inside the box and drove a rising shot beyond the defence into the top of the net. Soon afterwards, Timothy Castagne produced a vital goal-line clearance to stop Ferdi Kadioglu, preventing Brighton from extending the advantage.

Fulham altered the pattern after the break. In the 72nd minute, substitute Chukwueze, recently back from the Africa Cup of Nations, controlled a long pass from Joachim Andersen. Chukwueze then swept a composed finish past Verbruggen, drawing Fulham level and increasing the pressure on a tiring Brighton defence.

Brighton responded almost instantly. Welbeck found space and finished neatly a minute after Chukwueze’s strike, thinking the lead had been restored. However, a VAR review showed an offside in the build-up. The goal was overturned, keeping the score at 1-1 and leaving Fulham still within reach of a comeback victory.

Fulham Brighton Premier League data debrief and key numbers

Wilson’s free-kick was the eighth goal of the season for the winger. Since the start of November, Wilson has contributed directly to 11 league goals, with seven strikes and four assists. Only Erling Haaland, with 12 goal involvements in that span, has been involved in more Premier League goals.

Wilson’s effort was also his third league goal from outside the box this season. Only Antoine Semenyo, with four such goals, has scored more from distance in the current campaign. It was also Wilson’s first direct free-kick goal in the top flight since scoring for Bournemouth against Tottenham in November 2019.

The defeat carried a small piece of unwanted history for Brighton. This was the first time Brighton had lost a Premier League match to a 90th-minute winner since a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham in February 2024. The late concession underlined a difficult record for Brighton at Craven Cottage.

Brighton remain without a league win in six Premier League games at Fulham’s ground. The Seagulls have now visited Craven Cottage six times in the competition without success. Only trips to Manchester City, nine times, and Leicester City, seven times, have produced more away league matches for Brighton without a victory.

Substitutes again played an important role for Fulham. Chukwueze’s equaliser meant no club has benefited more from goals by substitutes in the Premier League since the start of last season, excluding own-goals. Fulham now have 24 such goals, level with Brighton, which highlights how both benches often change matches.

The result keeps Fulham moving upwards while Brighton’s wait for a league win at Craven Cottage continues. Wilson’s late strike, Ayari’s opener, and Chukwueze’s impact from the bench shaped a tight contest. The match also reinforced several ongoing trends, from Brighton’s away struggles to Fulham’s strong record for scoring through substitutes.