Monday Fulham Stuff - 30/10/23...

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Results

Sunday 29/10
West Ham	0-1	Everton
Villa	3-1	Luton
Brighton	1-1	Fulham
		Palhinha
Liverpool	3-0	Forest
Man Utd	0-3	Man City

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Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Fulham

Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha scored three goals in the Premier League last season

Joao Palhinha netted the equaliser as Fulham fought back from a goal down to draw at Brighton and leave the hosts without a win in four Premier League games.

Evan Ferguson gave Brighton a deserved lead as the home side put in a commanding display in the opening 45 minutes at the Amex Stadium.

But as the rain poured, Brighton lost their way in the second half and Portugal international Palhinha made them pay after possession was cheaply gifted to Fulham deep in opposition territory.

Brighton regained control after being pegged back but Fulham defended stoutly, restricting the hosts to just one good opening when substitute Ansu Fati was denied by Bernd Leno.

The Seagulls are now seventh in the table, while Fulham remain 14th.

Seagulls struggling to compete on multiple fronts
Brighton set the tone from the first whistle, stroking the ball around confidently and dominating possession as they attempted to bait Fulham to step into areas where they might be exposed.

It was not long until the chances started to flow with Simon Adingra, Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Balbena all setting their sights towards goal.

Eventually, the pressure paid off as 19-year-old striker Ferguson found space on the edge of Fulham's box before calmly curling into the bottom left corner.

Ferguson showed signs last season that he was up to the task of being Brighton's talisman, scoring six goals in the Premier League, and the Republic of Ireland international has continued to deliver this term.

Captain Lewis Dunk was inches away from doubling the hosts' advantage early in the second half but his free-kick rattled off the crossbar.

However, Brighton were guilty of squandering chances - having created 18 over the 90 minutes - and boss Roberto de Zerbi will look back at this as a game where his side threw away two points.

The Seagulls are now without a win in four league games, drawing two and losing two - their longest run without victory since five winless matches when De Zerbi first took charge in October 2022.

After the high of beating Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League on Thursday, the Italian made six changes to the starting line-up for Fulham's visit - but fatigue and rotation could be starting to take their toll.

Positive point for Fulham
Fulham's chances were fleeting throughout the game and they did not register a shot on target until the second half as they struggled to match Brighton's tempo.

Just five teams, including each of the three newly promoted sides, have scored fewer than the Cottagers' nine this campaign and they appear to be lacking a focal point to their attack.

The summer exit of last season's top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has joined Saudi side Al-Hilal, is being sorely felt.

Raul Jimenez, signed from Wolves as a replacement for the Serbia international, was brought back into the starting 11 for the trip to Brighton but is yet to open his account for the club.

The Mexico striker has not scored in his past 32 Premier League appearances, a run that stretches back to his time at Molineux.

But Palhinha stepped up when it counted, spinning on the edge of the box and firing Fulham on to level terms to mark his 50th appearance for the club in style.

It is the second time the Portugal midfielder has scored in 2023-24, having also salvaged a point with a late strike in a 2-2 draw at Arsenal.

Fulham looked ready to kick on after the equaliser, with substitute Rodrigo Muniz testing goalkeeper Jason Steele with a clever flick of the heel as he met a low cross.

But they soon fell back into their shell, sitting back and soaking up pressure as they were seemingly satisfied with a share of the points.

It is now five games without a win for the Cottagers on the road, having only recorded one victory on their travels all season, although Marco Silva may well regard a point at Brighton as a positive.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67185670

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Post-Brighton Press Conference

After a quiet first half, Marco Silva was pleased to see a reaction from his team in Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

The Seagulls took a deserved 1-0 lead into the break, but Fulham were a different beast after the restart, with João Palhinha's brilliant strike earning us a point seven minutes after a key triple change from Silva.

"Let's talk about the first half – we were not at the level that we should be," Silva admitted. "We didn't reach the standards that we have to, to compete at this level.

"Not dynamic, not sharp enough to play in the way we like to play, against a team that we knew were going to press us high. You have to play much more dynamic, sometimes to play more simple, as I think we were taking always the most difficult decision on the ball.

"And the other really important aspect during the first half was the aggressiveness. I think we were not aggressive enough. Probably too much respect for Brighton, and they won most of the challenges.

"I think that we were not at our level, our pressure not at the level we planned for the match. We were not really taking the right moments and the right decisions to go to press them.

"Second half we made steps forward, much more on the front foot, the way we pressed them much more high, it was much more collective pressure, and was what we planned for the game.

"And on the ball we had much more belief and confidence to play, and we made them much more uncomfortable on the ball. We took some risks, which is part of the game, and second half was completely different.

"The three players that came in, they made a huge impact in the game as well. Good goal to equalise the game, in a moment that we pressed them high. And the reaction after the goal was really good.

"We had a very good chance with Rodrigo to score the second goal, very good save from the goalkeeper.

"Very good reaction from Brighton, I have to say, in the last minutes of the game when Joao Pedro and [Ansu] Fati started to react, [but] we kept organisation, togetherness as a unit, that we should have played with all game."

Palhinha's strike earned what was a deserved draw in the end, and Silva is keen to see the Portuguese become a real leader of the side.

"He leads by his attitude," Silva said. "He is not the most vocal guy, he keeps improving his English as well, as I want him to be more vocal, to lead.

"In that position it's really important in the way we play, for João, for Saša Lukić, or for Harrison Reed, understanding all the moments of the game, and communicating to lead by example with the guys in front of you.

"I want to see João doing it more, it's important he keeps improving his English, to be more vocal on the pitch, because he has all the other things – his attitude, his commitment, the way he leads by the attitude, the way he lifts the others around him as well.

"Those moments where we lose the ball, his defensive reaction is impressive. We want to be able to take the best from him in these moments, and in all the other moments we want him to keep improving."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/october/29/post-brighton-press-conference/

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Fulham, West Ham United retain Pablo Maia interest
Fulham and West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing 21-year-old Sao Paulo midfielder Pablo Maia.

According to Jorge Nicola, Fulham and West Ham United are keen on signing Pablo Maia. The 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder has been on the radar of Premier League clubs for a long time, and a January move might be on the cards.

The 21-year-old has been a key player for Sao Paulo and he has established himself as an indispensable asset for them. The Brazilian outfit could demand a premium for him if the two Premier League clubs come calling.

The midfielder has a contract with the Brazilian club until the end of 2027 and they are under no pressure to cash in on him just yet. It is understandable why Fulham and West Ham United are keen on signing a quality young defensive between like him.

Joao Palhinha has been linked with a move away from Fulham and they will need to replace him adequately. If the Portuguese international leaves the club at the end of the season, Maia could be his ideal long-term successor at the club.

As far as West Ham are concerned, they have already replaced Declan Rice with Edson Alvarez. However, Tomas Soucek has been linked with the move away from the club in recent weeks.

West Ham will have to replace the Czech Republic international as well and Maia would be a superb acquisition.

The 21-year-old could be attracted to the idea of playing in the Premier League and the opportunity to join clubs like Fulham and West Ham would be hard to turn down.

Both clubs certainly have the financial resources to convince Sao Paulo to sell the talented young midfielder and it will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

West Ham are currently competing in the UEFA Europa League and that could give them an edge in the transfer race. The opportunity to join a club with European football could be a lucrative option for the player.

The 21-year-old will look to continue his development with regular football and fulfil his world-class potential. The likes of Fulham and West Ham might have to provide him with game-time assurances before a transfer can go through.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/10/29/fulham-west-ham-united-retain-pablo-maia-interest/

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Report: Fulham's Winter Window: A Defensive Focus

Fulham's January Revamp: Tosin Adarabioyo's Departure Looms Large
Adarabioyo's Decision to Depart

Tosin Adarabioyo, the commanding centre-back, has seemingly settled on his future. Aged 26, he has come to the decision to part ways with Fulham as his contract approaches its conclusion in 2023-24. "Adarabioyo, after much contemplation, has made up his mind to leave," report Football Insider.

The Centre-Back Void
In light of Adarabioyo's looming departure, Fulham's sights are set on reinforcing their defence. The club's ambitions are evident – a right-sided centre-back is on their January wishlist. This, combined with their intent to bolster their attack – especially given their underwhelming goal tally this season post-Mitrović's exit – demonstrates a clear strategy for the winter window.

Strategic Spending: Fulham's Game Plan
The New Year holds promise for the Cottagers. With a commitment to Marco Silva and the promise of substantial funds, the club is poised for some significant activity. One insider remarked on Fulham's proactive stance, saying they are predicted to be "one of the busiest clubs" come January.

A Season of Limited Action
While Adarabioyo's prowess is unquestioned – having previously graced the field 29 times last season and even netting a goal – this term has been less than ideal. Injuries have kept him to a mere minute of gameplay. Over the summer, both Tottenham and Monaco expressed interest, but no moves came to fruition.

Fulham's Current Stance
On the Premier League front, Fulham's journey has been a mixed bag. With three victories from their initial nine matches and an impressive stalemate against Arsenal, they're gearing up for their next face-off against Brighton on 29 October.



https://eplindex.com/98742/report-fulhams-winter-window-a-defensive-focus.html

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Fulham U18s smash seven past Villa
Tom Olyott hit a hat-trick as Fulham's under 18s thrashed Aston Villa 7-2 in a dominant display at Motspur Park this morning.

Olyott's treble was a fitting reward for a sensational individual performance, but there were also braces for the in-form Callum Osmand and clinical centre forward Aaron Loupalo-Bi as Ali Melloul's side returned to winning ways after defeat by West Brom in some style. The young Whites were in the mood from the first whistle with Osmand firing wastefully over after Ollie Gofford had pounced on a poor ball out from the back.

But Villa went in front in the eighth minute when Rory Wilson calmly converted a penalty after a rash challenge in the area to make in twelve goals in eight appearances in the league already. The visitors were indebted to a superb save from Sam Lewis who palmed a powerful effort from Lemar Gordon on to the frame of goal just two minutes after his side had taken the lead. Olyott, though, seized on a dreadful piece of defending to slot into an unguarded net moments later.

Loupalo-Bi could have put Fulham ahead shortly afterwards but saw his strike bravely blocked by a Villa defender. In what had become an enthralling end-to-end encounter, Luka Lynch connected with a fine cross from the right flank but couldn't find the target. Left winger Trai-Varn Mulley then lashed over after been gifted possession in the Fulham penalty area – and the visitors were soon to rue their failures in front of goal.

Olyott conjured up a clever finish to a fine move that saw Osmand and Loupalo-Bi combine to give the former Manchester City and Liverpool youngster the ball on the right flank. Olyott drifted on to his left foot and found the roof of the net fabulously. Fulham had control of proceedings after the second half with Chibby Nwoko's dangerous cross flashing through the six-yard box before Osmand, having been brilliantly played through by Gordon, was thwarted by an excellent save from Lewis.

The Welsh youth international made amends from the ensuing corner as his intelligent run to the near post was untracked and Osmand's glancing header went in off the far post. Fulham were awarded a penalty of their own on the hour after Loupalo-Bi was felled in the box and, although Lewis guessed the right way to save the spot kick, Olyott was able to tuck away the rebound. The lively Loupalo-Bi made it four five minutes later, capitalising on another defensive blunder and tricking his way past a claret and blue shirted defender before beating Lewis.

Villa did add a superbly-taken second when Tristan Rowe managed to find the net from an acute angle but Fulham were merciless even with the game well and truly wrapped up. Osmand added a sixth, finding the bottom corner with a finish that was too hot for the unfortunate Lewis to handle, and Loupalo-Bi rounded off an excellent afternoon for the Whites when the striker steered home in the closing stages.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/10/fulham-u18s-smash-seven-past-villa/

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Palhinha strike earns Fulham a point at Brighton
Brighton 1 Fulham 1

Joao Palhinha's superb second-half strike earned a hard-fought point for Fulham against Brighton at a rain-sodden Amex Stadium.

The Portugal international curled a shot in to the top corner for his second goal of the season after Alex Iwobi had won the ball on the edge of the Brighton box before Harry Wilson teed up the midfielder's 66th-minute strike.

Fulham had been on the back foot for much of the match before they scored but Brighton only had Evan Ferguson's smartly-taken first-half strike to show for their dominance.

Bernd Leno made two saves to deny Simon Adingra and Carlos Baleba with Kaoru Mitoma shooting just wide before the Republic of Ireland striker opened the scoring after Pascal Gross was allowed to run unchallenged towards the Fulham box.

Lewis Dunk almost doubled the home side's lead early in the second period when his chipped free-kick bounced off the crossbar but a triple substitution nine minutes after the restart by Marco Silva got Fulham back into the game.

Raul Jimenez, once again anonymous in attack, was replaced by Roberto Muniz, with Carlos Vinicius not in the squad.

Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira also came on for Bobby Decordova-Reid and Harrison Reed respectively.

Almost immediately Fulham were much improved going forward and shortly after Palhinha's equaliser Muniz went close to adding a second with a backheeled finish that was kept out by the legs of Luke Steele.

Brighton almost won the game two minutes from the end of normal time when Adam Webster's towering header looped over Leno but Antonee Robinson headed off the line to earn his side a valuable point.
Fulham: Leno, Castagne, Bassey, Ream, Robinson, Reed (Pereira 54), Palhinha, De Cordova-Reid (Wilson 54), Iwobi (Lukic 90), Willian (Cairney 85), Jimenez (Muniz 54).
Subs not used: Rodak, Cairney, Ballo-Toure, Lukic, Tanton, De Fougerolles.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/brighton-v-fulham

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£5.5m Fulham player fuming after what Marco Silva did vs Brighton today
Fulham striker Raul Jimenez will be wondering what he has to do to score this season as he went without a goal once again against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Covering the match for Sky Sports News, journalist David Richardson was at the Amex.

Marco Silva's side were second best going into the break at half-time and were a goal behind thanks to Evan Ferguson.

The Whites were once again caught out in possession and the Irish striker made no mistake and gave Bernd Leno no chance.

Silva didn't wait long in the second half to make sweeping changes to his side.

The Portuguese made a triple change with Harry Wilson, Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz coming off the bench.

It meant Harrison Reed, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Raul Jimenez were the players to make way.

Jimenez wasn't happy about being taken off against Brighton but the Fulham man barely made an impact once again.

He's got huge shoes to fill after Aleksandar Mitrovic's exit but doesn't look up to it right now.

It speaks volumes that his replacement Muniz came closer to scoring than he did just minutes after entering the pitch.

Jimenez fails to score for Fulham again against Brighton
Richardson shared how the £5.5m player reacted when he was substituted and said: "Jimenez is still without a goal for Fulham in the Premier League this season and he was unsurprisingly not delighted to be coming off.

"He barely had a kick today."

In the 58 minutes Jimenez played, he managed to complete just seven passes and failed to have a single shot.

He lost five of his seven duels and didn't complete the only dribble he attempted.

To blame Jimenez for this solely would be failing to give credit to the way Brighton defended against him and ignore that his Fulham teammates weren't at their best either.

Jimenez will be disappointed he wasn't given more time considering Carlos Vinicius wasn't even on the bench after struggling against Chelsea.

The Mexican will be desperate to end his barren run soon as the longer it goes on, the more the pressure builds on him.

Fulham aren't blessed with alternatives that can easily replace him.

Muniz hasn't even scored in the Premier League, while Vinicius has just six English top-flight goals to his name.

Luckily, Joao Palhinha is the man who can do it all and his second-half goal earned the away side a vital point.



https://www.fulham.news/2023/10/29/5-5m-fulham-player-fuming-after-what-marco-silva-did-vs-brighton-today/

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Fulham ratings vs Brighton: Joao Palhinha magnificent as Calvin Bassey bounces back after Spurs horror show
Antonee Robinson and Raul Jimenez struggle as Fulham earn a creditable 1-1 draw at the Amex

Fulham earned a creditable 1-1 draw at the Amex as they came from behind against Brighton.

Evan Ferguson's passed finish gave the hosts a lead they deserved midway through the first half, and Fulham barely saw the ball in the first 45 minutes.

But Joao Palhinha smashed in a leveller for Fulham, who stay 14th in the table after picking up a point on the south coast.

Dom Smith was on hand to rate the Fulham performances from the Amex...

Bernd Leno 7

Saved expertly from Carlos Baleba's long shot, and also denied Simon Adingra with his feet as the Ivorian closed in.

Timothy Castagne 6

Torn to shreds down the win by Kaoru Mitoma in one jinking run from the Japanese. Otherwise assured.

Calvin Bassey 7

Made one impressing marauding overlapping run with the ball and finally a Premier League start — his third — went well for him.

Tim Ream 6

Gave away one silly just outside the area when Pascal Gross span him, but otherwise tidy.

Antonee Robinson 4

Some misplaced passes in the first half left his manager shouting at the turf, and he was caught on his heels a few times too. Booked. Somewhat redeemed himself with a late goal-saving block.

Harrison Reed 6

His bouncing header from a corner had Jason Steele scrambling. Put himself about.

Joao Palhinha 8

Flew into every tackle like it was his last and unleashed a second-half pile-driver to earn Fulham a point.

Alex Iwobi 7

After he settled into game, was able to keep Fulham in possession with close control and technical ability.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid 6

Hooked a glorious volleyed chance over the bar when he should have controlled before firing on goal.

Willian 7

Never stopped running, and even helped out with some defensive work.

Raul Jimenez 5

Just doesn't look the same player since before his head injury. Worse at holding up the ball than usual, and still yet to score for Fulham, and hasn't scored a Premier League goal in 32 games.

Subs

Andreas Pereira (Reed, 58') 6

Dropped due to poor form but played better here.

Rodrigo Muniz (Jimenez, 58') 6

Nearly scored an incredible backheel flick.

Harry Wilson (De Cordova-Reid, 58') 7

Assisted Fulham's only goal.

Tom Cairney (Willian, 86') N/A

Sasa Lukic (Iwobi, 90+2') N/A

Not used: Rodak, Ballo-Toure, Tanton, De Fougerolles



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-ratings-vs-brighton-joao-palhinha-b1116650.html

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Joao Palhinha extends Fulham's unbeaten run against Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion have been kept waiting for their first-ever Premier League win over Fulham as the Cottagers came from behind to hold Roberto De Zerbi's men to a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.

Winless in six top-flight games against Marco Silva's side since their promotion to the big time in 2017, the Seagulls were on their way to breaking that hoodoo through Evan Ferguson, but Joao Palhinha's stunner saw the capital outfit depart with a point.

Rather than reward the same XI starters from their first-ever European win against Ajax, Brighton boss De Zerbi unsurprisingly brought six fresh faces into the fray, while Silva made the bold decision to drop Andreas Pereira to the bench.

The alterations had little impact on Brighton's scintillating offensive play, as Carlos Baleba and Simon Adingra both tested Bernd Leno in the seventh minute, and Fulham were also a tad fortunate that the officials saw no need to investigate Joao Palhinha's 19th-minute elbow on Pascal Gross.

However, the German quickly shook off that bump to play a cute pass to Ferguson inside the D with 26 minutes played, and the Republic of Ireland youngster took one touch with his right boot before finding the bottom corner with a delicate left-footed curler.

Leno's reach was futile as Ferguson registered his 10th Premier League goal of 2023, becoming the first teenager to achieve double figures in a single calendar year since Wayne Rooney in 2005, and his strike proved the difference in a trouble-free first half for the Seagulls.

As impressive as Ferguson's strike was, Lewis Dunk almost outdid his teammate with a rocket of a free kick four minutes after the restart, but his 25-yard set-piece did not dip quite enough and struck the frame of the goal.

Attacking substitutions then arrived en masse for Fulham, but it was their midfield enforcer who got them back on level terms, as Brighton made a mess of playing out from the back and were punished for it.

Stealing possession back in the final third, Harry Wilson played a first-time pass to Palhinha inside the D, and the Portuguese powerhouse rifled a blistering strike into the top corner in the 65th minute.

The Cottagers began to enjoy their first purple patch of the match, but Brighton soon regained a measure of control and were centimetres away from regaining the lead in the 88th minute, but Antonee Robinson produced a fabulous goal-line clearance from Adam Webster's header.

Nine minutes of added time was not enough for either side to find a winner, as Brighton stayed seventh in the table, while Fulham have not moved from their 14th-placed standing either.

The Seagulls now have a trip to Everton on their calendar for November 4, while Silva's team are in EFL Cup action away to Championship high-flyers Ipswich Town on Wednesday.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/brighton-and-hove-albion/result/palhinha-extends-fulhams-unbeaten-run-against-brighton_527720.html?newsnow

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Joao Palhinha's stunning strike snatches Fulham a point at Brighton
Joao Palhinha scored a stunning equaliser as Fulham held Brighton to a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls were the better team in the early stages and were rewarded through Evan Ferguson's neat finish before Palhinha's superb strike secured a point for the Londoners.

The result extended Brighton's winless run to three as they rued missed chances in front of goal.

Roberto De Zerbi's side showed little signs of fatigue following Thursday's 2-0 Europa League win over Ajax and nearly took an early lead.

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno kept out Carlos Baleba's shot from range in the seventh minute and saved Simon Adingra's effort inside the six-yard box moments later to keep it 0-0.

Baleba was pulling the strings for Brighton as his vision and inch-perfect passes picked out the pacey Adingra, who enjoyed runs into space.

The hosts got the goal they deserved after 26 minutes.

Igor Julio drove the Seagulls up the pitch and when Ferguson retrieved the ball outside the box he showed excellent composure to slide the ball past Leno with his left foot into the bottom corner.

The goal highlighted a gulf in quality between the two sides and the lethargic Cottagers were fortunate not to concede again immediately after the kick-off when their defence was caught napping by Adingra.

A rain-soaked Marco Silva cut a frustrated figure and his pleas to his Fulham players were left unanswered as Willian's wasteful free-kick put an end to the first spell of meaningful possession the visitors had enjoyed in the Brighton half since the opening minutes.

Left-back Antonee Robinson was struggling to cope with Adingra and the American then gifted Ferguson a back pass, but the Seagulls' goalscorer failed to double his tally when he was denied by Leno after 40 minutes.

Brighton started the second half quickly and Lewis Dunk was unfortunate not to score in the 49th minute. The skipper lined up a set-piece and his side-footed effort dipped onto Leno's crossbar.

Fulham made Brighton pay for their missed chances as they made it 1-1 in the 65th minute through Palhinha.

The visitors threw men forward in numbers and the Portugal international got the ball out of his feet on the edge of the box and blasted an effort past Jason Steele.

The goal swung the momentum in the Londoners' favour and substitute Rodrigo Muniz nearly punished Brighton from the restart through an audacious back heel that was kept out by Steele.

Both teams had opportunities to win it with Robinson clearing an effort off the line before Harry Wilson came close to grabbing a winner at the other end.



https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/joao-palhinha-stunning-strike-snatches-161201432.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jLm5ld3Nub3cuY28udWsv&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAE6-VqlHP8kwED4vQ5ANlHKW-3CmEW6i_gWkMR1r_b0pwsIDiXr3RSpP15-Vnu-5IC_BeTZ9HPTRi1qCgx-7jXn2euDZ_fHsatv_DTteXCpvrbZbeuyCiEbO3_ameKsxxAU_EszY_Cg3tpLJVOuYK6KnEk0y_On2XnO6wMqBacTe

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Brighton 1-1 Fulham: Evan Ferguson's fifth goal of the season is cancelled out by Joao Palhinha's equaliser as Cottagers come away from the South Coast with a point

    Evan Ferguson scored his fifth goal in the Premier League against Fulham
    Brighton held the lead for the majority of the match before Joao Palhinha's goal
    Re-live all the action from the Amex as Palhinha rescues a point for the visitors

Even managers who appear to walk on water get soggy from time to time. This would seem to be one of those periods for Roberto de Zerbi.

It would be awfully premature to talk about difficulties at Brighton, especially in the immediate aftermath of a win over Ajax, but it is getting a little tricky and a bit sticky.

Indeed, with no Premier League wins in the past four games it is their longest such run since the opening five matches of De Zerbi's tenure.

Granted, a spell comprising Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa was never going to be straightforward, but not many teams have been better than Brighton in the 14 months since De Zerbi's arrival, so it is a measure of progress that anything less than a sprint can feel like a crawl.

In this instance, it had the slight ring of an off-day, which was strange in consideration of how they dominated the first half.


Evan Ferguson slotted home to fire his side ahead in clash with Fulham at the AMEX stadium
 

Joao Palhinha levelled the scoring for Fulham in the 65th minute, cancelling Brighton's 1-0 lead
 

Ferguson, 21, has been in star form for the seaside club, netting five times this season so far
They had led through Evan Ferguson's fifth goal of the season and at that stage they were the usual carousel of movement and quality, with Kaoru Mitoma shredding calves on the left and Simon Adingra breaking hearts on the right.

But if there is a vulnerability to this side it is that they offer too few guarantees in defence and as with every other league assignment this season they failed to keep a clean sheet.

Joao Palhinha deserves great credit for the equalising goal, and so does Marco Silva for the substitutions that revived a midfield battle Fulham had seemingly lost, but the origin of the strike was Brighton's over-elaboration at the back. Neither Jason Steele nor Pascal Gross will reflect warmly in the loss of possession that opened that particular door.

If that is the curse of an attractive team, so be it, but a draw will always look avoidable when it is rooted in those errors.

From De Zerbi's perspective, the only source of unhappiness that he verbalised was the result, though there were also traces of exasperation over how Fulham were able to escape punishment for time-wasting throughout the second half. A fair assessment.

'I am really frustrated and disappointed for the result,' he said.

'But we can focus on the performance and the performance was great.'

On the referee, Michael Salisbury, De Zerbi's simultaneously said little and enough, adding: 'It is not my job, the job of the referee.

'The referee is not in the best moment but I would like to speak only about the football.'

For Marco Silva, there was a greater degree of satisfaction with the outcome.


Palhinha has scored five times for Fulham and ensured Cottagers took a point back to London
 

Kaoru Mitoma came close to finding the opener for the Seagulls but narrowly missed the goal
 

Fulham boss Marco Silva had a friendly embrace with Roberto de Zerbi at the Amex Stadium
 

Brighton are currently 7th in the table, enjoying European football for the first time ever
His Fulham side had been forced to sit and watch as Brighton, with a back three and a wall across midfield, played out that opening 45 minutes with 72 per cent of possession.

In that span it was Fulham's good fortune that the hosts scored just once, following a loose ball forward from Harrison Reed, triggering a fast counter from Gross and culminating in a high-quality finish from Ferguson.

'First half we were not at the level we need to compete,' said Silva. 'We were not sharp enough. Second half we made steps forward.'

They did, most obviously after the reprieve of a Lewis Dunk free-kick against the bar. That prompted three substitutions and gradually the balance of the match shifted, largely through the energy of Harry Wilson.

The equaliser was testament to the post-break improvements to Fulham's pressing game, with Steele hassled into an iffy pass to Gross. He coughed up possession to Alex Iwobi before Wilson played in Andreas Palhinha. He took a touch on the edge of the area and drilled to the top corner. A lovely goal for Fulham and another little bump for Brighton.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12685407/Brighton-1-1-Fulham-Evan-Ferguson-fires-hosts-ahead-early-lead-Seagulls-Joao-Palhinhas-late-equaliser-draws-level-visiting-Londoners.html

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Brighton 1-1 Fulham: Joao Palhinha stunner earns Whites impressive point on the road
Palhinha stars as Fulham rewarded for second-half improvement at the Amex

A positive result never looked on the cards as Fulham were given a passing masterclass by Brighton in the first half, but Joao Palhinha's rifled effort earned them a 1-1 draw and a laudable point at the Amex.

Brighton hope Carlos Baleba, the 19-year-old Cameroonian, will replace Moises Caicedo in the long-term, and the defensive midfielder was magnificent in the early stages. That was mostly by breaking up playing and passing shrewdly, yet he also had the game's first chance when his powerful effort was parried well by Bernd Leno.

Baleba tended to operate in the same areas as Alex Iwobi, brought into the Fulham team in favour of Andreas Pereira, who Marco Silva admitted this week must offer more and has not hit the heights of last season. Iwobi saw as much of the ball as any Fulham player, desperately trying to move them up the pitch but struggling due to Brighton's high intensity.

There was an irony when the away fans applauded their side actually winning the ball back midway through the first half, because as soon as they lost it again they fell behind. Harrison Reed's pass was intercepted by Igor Julio, who played in Pascal Gross to assist Evan Ferguson for a calm opener.

Ferguson's fifth league goal of the season, one off last season's tally already, was the least the home side deserved.

Fulham's response, at least as far as the first half is concerned, was underwhelming. Willian overegged his cross-field free-kick, and it evaded Timothy Castagne and went for a free-kick.

Fulham's final chance of a half in which they were comfortably second best saw Willian dart down the left and cross. Bobby De Cordova-Reid ought to have taken a touch. Instead, his volley ballooned up and over.

Credit should go to Silva and his three substitutes — Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz and Pereira — who all added a spark in the second half.

After Lewis Dunk had worried Leno but not beaten him with a free-kick with struck the crossbar, Fulham grew in confidence and stature, and ended the contest as the better side — something which seemed implausible before the interval.

From Wilson's pass, Joao Palhinha controlled and then drove the ball with power into the top-right corner. Off went Fulham to celebrate ecstatically in the sheeting rain, and they could even have won it when Muniz's flicked backheel was blocked by Jason Steele.

Fulham remain unbeaten in all seven of their Premier League meetings with Brighton. These days, that is some feat.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/brighton-vs-fulham-result-premier-league-2023-joao-palhinha-b1116663.html

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Brighton 1-1 Fulham: Joao Palhinha stunner earns Cottagers a big point at the Amex
Joao Palhinha scored a stunning equaliser as Fulham managed to hold Brighton and Hove Albion to a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls were the better team in the early stages and were rewarded through Evan Ferguson's neat finish before Palhinha's superb strike secured a point for the Londoners.

The result extended Brighton's winless run to three as they rued missed chances in front of goal.

Roberto De Zerbi's side showed little signs of fatigue following Thursday's 2-0 Europa League win over Ajax and nearly took an early lead.

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno kept out Carlos Baleba's shot from range in the seventh minute and saved Simon Adingra's effort inside the six-yard box moments later to keep it 0-0.

Baleba was pulling the strings for Brighton as his vision and inch-perfect passes picked out the pacey Adingra, who enjoyed runs into space.

The hosts got the goal they deserved after 26 minutes.

Igor Julio drove the Seagulls up the pitch and when Ferguson retrieved the ball outside the box he showed excellent composure to slide the ball past Leno with his left foot into the bottom corner.

The goal highlighted a gulf in quality between the two sides and the lethargic Cottagers were fortunate not to concede again immediately after the kick-off when their defence was caught napping by Adingra.

A rain-soaked Marco Silva cut a frustrated figure and his pleas to his Fulham players were left unanswered as Willian's wasteful free-kick put an end to the first spell of meaningful possession the visitors had enjoyed in the Brighton half since the opening minutes.

Left-back Antonee Robinson was struggling to cope with Adingra and the American then gifted Ferguson a back pass, but the Seagulls' goalscorer failed to double his tally when he was denied by Leno after 40 minutes.

Brighton started the second half quickly and Lewis Dunk was unfortunate not to score in the 49th minute. The skipper lined up a set-piece and his side-footed effort dipped onto Leno's crossbar.

Fulham made Brighton pay for their missed chances as they made it 1-1 in the 65th minute through Palhinha.

The visitors threw men forward in numbers and the Portugal international got the ball out of his feet on the edge of the box and blasted an effort past Jason Steele.

The goal swung the momentum in the Londoners' favour and substitute Rodrigo Muniz nearly punished Brighton from the restart through an audacious back heel that was kept out by Steele.

Both teams had opportunities to win it with Robinson clearing an effort off the line before Harry Wilson came close to grabbing a winner at the other end.



https://www.football365.com/news/brighton-1-1-fulham-joao-palhinha-stunner-earns-cottagers-point-at-the-amex

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João Palhinha's leveller earns Fulham point and frustrates Brighton
Sodden, shivering and almost – but not quite – smiling. Words that could have applied equally to Marco Silva and Roberto De Zerbi, who shared the south-coast spoils.

For Silva, a point will have been deeply satisfying. Remember, he could so easily have been thousands of miles away enjoying sunshine and riches untold. Saudi Arabia called; Silva said no. Instead, the ink on a contract extension keeping him at Fulham until 2026 recently dried.

And it is afternoons such as this, where his managerial mettle is tested to its maximum, that Silva relishes. Afternoons where a draw is earned via thought, determination and a superb João Palhinha equaliser. Remember this: for all the plaudits (rightly) poured upon Brighton over the past 13 months, Silva's Fulham have taken four points at the Amex Stadium.

In fact, despite losing Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham have one more point than at this stage last season. "I want to see us grow more and more," Silva said. "I am really ambitious. I want to take steps forward – I am realistic at the same time – but I want to take more steps forward if we can."

For De Zerbi – a year on from a sweeping aside of Chelsea that will for ever be a touchstone of his time at Brighton – Evan Ferguson scored a deserved first-half opener. Brighton controlled huge portions of the match. But a failure to find a decisive second cost them two points. It ended up being a gentle tug back earthwards following a European high just 72 hours prior.

"I think we played a great game, especially three days after Ajax," De Zerbi said. "We conceded a goal in only one moment of five to seven minutes where we lost distances, where we lost the balance. We are frustrated with the result, but we can focus on the performance – the performance was great."

Fulham came to frustrate. They constantly, and sensibly, declined the hosts' invitation to press. And so Brighton had to pull and stretch, poke and prod. Adam Lallana showed just what a lovely footballer he remains. A shimmy and cross saw Simon Adingra almost poke Brighton into the lead. Bernd Leno got there first. Just.

Brighton's goal came when Fulham forward Raúl Jiménez, not counting on Igor Julio's close attention, was pickpocketed. Julio found Pascal Gross; a man puzzled by the apparent space in front of him – Silva would later bemoan his side's lack of pre-interval aggression.

Eventually, Gross raised his head to spot Ferguson. Making a run? No, simply standing between Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream. In mitigation, the Fulham pair deemed Ferguson offside. But for Calvin Bassey's mispositioning, he would have been. One Ferguson right-footed touch. One left-footed finish made to look far easier than it was. One De Zerbi pirouette of joy.

The game needed chasing, but with an attack as potent as water, it was difficult, through the driving rain, to see Fulham doing any catching. Yet when Jiménez – who, after 32 goalless league games, needs a purple patch more luminous than his side's pink outfit to have even a passable centre-forward's numbers – departed just before the hour, something changed.

Jiménez's removal was part of an effective triple switch. Suddenly, Fulham pressed. Suddenly, Jason Steele's pass put Gross under pressure. Suddenly, Alex Iwobi won possession and found the newly introduced Harry Wilson. His lay-off to Palhinha resulted in a spin and strike that left Steele standing. Brighton's wait for a league clean sheet this season continues.

By then, De Zerbi's irritation was clearly visible. Had Lewis Dunk's bar-grazing free-kick after half-time been a few inches lower, the equaliser might not have happened. Had Palhinha been punished for a first-half elbow on Gross, the equaliser would not have happened.

The game's final quarter was frantic, the polar opposite to the low intensity contest that had come before it. Fulham's shape, two banks of primal footballing screen, sat tight. Brighton pushed. Hard.

Ansu Fati drew a save from Leno; Adam Webster's looping header was nodded off the line by Robinson; those occupying the two technical areas became increasingly tetchy. De Zerbi's baseball cap was flung in disgust at a misplaced pass. Silva moved with purpose, covering every inch of his white-lined enclosure.

And then the whistle went. Hands were shaken. Neither would have it any other way.



https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/jo-o-palhinha-leveller-earns-164000443.html

[WhiteJC]

Peerless Palhinha pinches a point for Fulham
The peerless João Palhinha produced a peach of an equaliser to pinch a precious point for Fulham at Brighton and Hove Albion this afternoon. The Portuguese international, who was so close to moving to Bayern Munich back in September, marked his 50th appearance for the Cottagers with a fabulous finish on the turn from the edge of the area to cancel out Evan Ferguson's first-half opener and stretch the visitors' unbeaten top flight streak against the Seagulls to seven matches.

Palhinha delivered a late leveller at Arsenal in August before Bayern came calling and, despite being renowned for his tenacity in the tackle, the Lisbon-born midfielder has come up with special strikes since swapping Sporting Lisbon for south west London last summer. His latest sublime strike was just reward for an improved second half showing from Marco Silva's side and it was a moment of magic for the 3,000 travelling fans behind Jason Steele's goal to savour. Palhinha, who had escaped sanction from referee Michael Sailsbury having elbowed Pascal Groß in the first half, found the top corner on the turn after Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson had seized upon a poor pass from the German with his first goal since he pen to paper on a new Fulham contract earlier this month.

A triple change early in the second period that saw Wilson, Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz replace Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Harrison Reed and Raul Jimenez liven up the Londoners as an attacking force. Albion, boosted by a first European win in their history on Thursday night, had by far the better of the opening exchanges. Bernd Leno did brilliantly to beat away an effort from the influential Carlos Baleba and then used his right boot to deny Simon Adingra from Kaoru Mitoma's immediately afterwards. The tricky Japanese winger wasted the game's clearest chance by dragging a drive wide having breezed past Tim Ream.

Roberto de Zerbi's side were starting to prob in front of Silva's back four but they took the lead through another goal that had its genesis in some sub-par Fulham distribution. Reed's ball for Jimenez was underhit allowing Igor Julio to carry the ball forward and find Groß. The German midfielder, making his 200th Premier League appearance, stroked a ball through the centre of the visiting defence and Ferguson, who had got goalside of Antonee Robinson, stroked a fine finish past the helpless Leno. That goal made the Irish international the first teenager to score ten times in the top flight in a calendar year since Wayne Rooney eighteen years ago.

Robinson almost gift-wrapped a second for Ferguson with a terrible back header but the American international was bailed out by the alert Leno. Fulham failed to hit the target in the first period, although De Cordova-Reid did blaze over the bar from their best opening from a Willian cross, and could have gone further behind at the second of the second half when Lewis Dunk's dipping free-kick from distance crashed off the crossbar. That sparked Silva's triple substitution and, after Palhinha's excellent equaliser, Muniz nearly backheeled them in front from Robinson's cut back only for the Brazilian's effort to be smartly stopped by Steele.

Albion looked rattled and the home faithful whistled their disapproval at treatment being given to the bleeding Palhinha and the injured Leno before de Zerbi's side penned Fulham back once again. Leno denied substitute Ansu Fati at the near post before Robinson redeemed himself with a remarkable goal-line clearance to keep out Adam Webster's header. Both sides had chances to nick it during nine minutes of added time. Pereira twice failed to convert a Wilson cross whilst Ream got in the way of an effort from João Pedro before Diego Buonanotte blazed over. Silva's puff of his cheeks suggested he was pleased with a point earned from just 29% of the ball.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION (3-4-3): Steele; Webster, Igor, Dunk; Adringa (Veltman 71), Mitoma, Baleba (Buonanotte 71), Dahoud (Gilmour 71); Groß, Lallana (Ansu Fati 58); Ferguson (Joao Pedro 78). Subs (not used): Verbruggen, van Hecke, Hinshelwood, Milner.

GOAL: Ferguson (26).

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, A. Robinson, Bassey, Ream; Palhinha, Reed (Pereira 58); De Cordova-Reid (Wilson 58), Willian (Cairney 86), Iwobi (Lukic 90+2), Jimenez (Muniz 58). Subs (not used): Rodak, de Fougerolles, Tanton, Ballo-Toure.

BOOKED: Robinson, Muniz, Wilson.

GOAL: Palhinha (65).

REFEREE: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire).

ATTENDANCE: 31,550.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/10/peerless-palhinha-pinches-a-point-for-fulham/

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Brighton 1-1 Fulham: João Palhinha rescues point after Evan Ferguson nets his fifth goal of the season
With the Seagulls in high spirits following Thursday's victory against a struggling Ajax in the UEFA Europa League, Roberto de Zerbi's side would welcome Fulham to the American Express Stadium on Sunday.

BHA: Steele; Igor, Dunk, Webster; Mitoma, Dahoud, Baleba, Adingra; Lallana, Groß; Ferguson

FUL: Leno; Robinson, Ream, Bassey, Castagne; Palhinha, Reed; Willian, Iwobi, Decordova-Reid; Jiménez

Evan Ferguson ensured Brighton took a one-goal lead into the interval on the South Coast, with Pascal Groß feeding a fine pass into the Irishman's feet to allow him to dispatch an effort past Bernd Leno from the edge of the penalty area.

Fulham were perhaps lucky to just be trailing by the solitary goal, with Simon Adingra, Kaoru Mitoma and Carlos Balbena all looking to find the back of the net throughout the first half – and the pressure would continue after the break, with Lewis Dunk seeing his free-kick strike the woodwork.

But just after the hour mark, João Palhinha netted an important equaliser against the run of play, capitalising on a sloppy dispossession that allowed Harry Wilson to pick out the Portuguese powerhouse in midfield.

Ansu Fati would look to replicate his heroics against Ajax as the game wore on, but fierce goalkeeping from Bernd Leno ensured that the Cottagers would hold on for a point.

Despite remaining seventh in the Premier League standings, Roberto de Zerbi will likely be disappointed to see his side drop points in a game that they dominated – and he'll hope for an improved performance as they travel to Goodison Park next weekend.

Fulham still sit inside the bottom half of the table, occupying 14th spot after capitalising on a mistake to rescue a point against the run of play. They'll travel to Ipswich Town's Portman Road in midweek to dispute a Carabao Cup tie.



https://fromthespot.co.uk/5848/brighton-1-1-fulham-joao-palhinha-rescues-point-after-evan-ferguson-nets-his-fifth-goal-of-the-season/

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Silva calls on impressive Palhinha to keep talking
Marco Silva has called on Joao Palhinha to add a vocal presence to his outstanding midfield displays after the Portugal international earned a valuable point for Fulham at Brighton.

Trailing to Evan Ferguson's first-half goal and on the back foot for much of the game, Palhinha's superb curling strike midway through the second half helped his side bounce back from Monday's defeat at Tottenham ahead of next week's clash with Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

Palhinha's stellar displays for the Whites since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon last season almost resulted in a deadline day move to Bayern Munich last month only for it collapse due Fulham being unable to sign a replacement.

But Silva said there is more to come from the 28-year-old, who has since signed an improved contract since that move to Germany fell through.

"He leads by attitude, but is not the most vocal guy, he is improving his English but I want him to be more vocal and to lead that way too," Silva said.

"That position is really important in the way we play along with Harrison Reed and Sasa Lukic he needs to understand all the moments of the game and communicate with the guys in front of him. I want more of that from him.

"It is important to keep improving his English to be more vocal to add to all the other good things he has.

"His attitude, his commitment the way his leads and lifts the others around him.

"Joao also has that thing that is hard to find in football that moment when we lose the ball his reaction is always impressive and we need to take the best of these moments and keep improving."

Silva also confirmed Carlos Vinicius missed the game due to minor injury.

"It is nothing serious and he will be back soon," he said.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-calls-on-impressive-palhinha-to-keep-talking

[WhiteJC]

Silva pleased with Fulham fightback
Fulham boss Marco Silva was pleased by his side's fightback after a stunning second half strike from Joao Palhinha secured a point at Brighton and Hove Albion this afternoon.

The Portuguese international's superb shot on the turn midway through the second half cancelled out Evan Ferguson's opening goal for Albion, but Silva was disappointed with his side's sluggish start on the south coast. He told his post-match press conference at the AMEX Stadium:

"In the first half we were not at the level that we should be. We didn't reach the standards that we have to, to compete at this level. We were not dynamic, not sharp enough to play in the way we like to play, against a team that we knew were going to press us high. You have to play much more dynamic, sometimes to play more simple, as I think we were taking always the most difficult decision on the ball.

The other really important aspect during the first half was the aggressiveness. I think we were not aggressive enough. We probably showed too much respect for Brighton and they won most of the challenges. I think that we were not at our level, our pressure not at the level we planned for the match. We were not really taking the right moments and the right decisions to go to press them.

In the second half, we made steps forward. We were much more on the front foot. The way we pressed them high, it was much more collective pressure – and [that] was what we planned for the game. On the ball we had much more belief and confidence to play, and we made them much more uncomfortable on the ball. We took some risks, which is part of the game, and second half was completely different."

Silva praised the impact of the three substitutes he introduced early in the second period – Harry Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz and Andreas Pereira. Wilson was involved in the move that led to Palhinha's leveller and Muniz looked lively up front.

"The three players that came in, they made a huge impact in the game as well. It was a good goal to equalise the game, in a moment where we pressed them really high and the the reaction after the goal was really good. We had a very good chance with Rodrigo to score the second goal, a very good save from the goalkeeper. Brighton reacted very well I have to say, in the last minutes of the game when Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati started to react, but we kept organisation, togetherness as a unit, that we should have played with all game."

The Fulham head coach also praised the leadership qualities of Palhinha, who has signed a new contract at Craven Cottage after his proposed move to Bayern Munich fell through in the closing minutes of transfer deadline day.

"He leads by his attitude. He is not the most vocal guy, he keeps improving his English as well, as I want him to be more vocal, to lead. In that position it's really important in the way we play, for João, for Sasa Luki?, or for Harrison Reed, understanding all the moments of the game, and communicating to lead by example with the guys in front of you.

I want to see João doing it more, it's important he keeps improving his English, to be more vocal on the pitch, because he has all the other things – his attitude, his commitment, the way he leads by the attitude, the way he lifts the others around him as well. Those moments where we lose the ball, his defensive reaction is impressive. We want to be able to take the best from him in these moments, and in all the other moments we want him to keep improving."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/10/silva-pleased-with-fulham-fightback/

[WhiteJC]

Jamie O'Hara seriously impressed with 'brilliant' Fulham player against Brighton today
It wouldn't be a Fulham game if Joao Palhinha wasn't at the centre of it and Brighton & Hove Albion learnt that the hard way today.

Covering the match on Sky Sports News, Jamie O'Hara was reviewing a tight game at the Amex.

Scoring goals is becoming a bigger and bigger issue for Marco Silva's side this season.

It was another disappointing outing for Raul Jimenez who wasn't pleased when he was brought off before the hour mark.

He was replaced with Rodrigo Muniz as Carlos Vinicius wasn't in the squad that travelled to the south coast.

Evan Ferguson had given Brighton the lead in the first half and Roberto De Zerbi would have been frustrated his side didn't make more of their dominating in the opening 45 minutes.

Silva's side grew into the game in the second half and there was only one man who was going to make the difference.

Joao Palhinha scored an excellent goal for Fulham from outside the box, beating Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele and ultimately earning his side a point.

The speculation surrounding his future in the summer appears to have been put to the back of his mind.

The passion with which he celebrated his goal suggests that even if he does depart in the near future, it's not because of his lack of love for the club.

Palhinha stars for Fulham vs Brighton
Talking through the Portuguese midfielder's goal, O'Hara said: "It's a goal to Fulham, it's 1-1. It's a brilliant goal actually, they've been better in the second half.

"They've tried to press from the front, making it a little bit more difficult and that's where it comes from.

"The keeper tries to play it into midfield, they give it away and [Joao] Palhinha's on the edge of the box.

"He's got his back to goal and he just hits one on the swivel, and he bends it into the top corner, no chance for the keeper, 1-1.

"The rain is pouring down, the pitch is making it a little bit more difficult and Fulham have got their tail between their legs and they're going after Brighton because it's been really comfortable for them."

Brighton may feel slightly hard done by that Palhinha was still on the pitch for Fulham at this point.

A flailing elbow in the first half went unpunished and if he had been given his marching orders then it would have been a very different game.

Silva still has several positions on the pitch where he needs to work out who his best player is.

There's one man who will always be the first name on the team sheet though and that's Joao Palhinha.



https://www.fulham.news/2023/10/29/jamie-ohara-seriously-impressed-with-brilliant-fulham-player-against-brighton-today/