Alex Iwobi netted a brace as Fulham secured a 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Thursday night, propelling them to sixth place in the standings.
This victory marks Fulham’s sixth win in the top tier of English football this season, bringing their total to 22 points from 14 matches, while Brighton remains in fifth with 23 points from the same number of games.
Fulham took the lead at Craven Cottage when Iwobi capitalized on a mistake by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, sliding the ball into an unguarded net after a misplaced pass in the penalty area.
Brighton controlled the first half, holding 61% possession and registering nine attempts on goal, yet Fulham went into halftime ahead with their sole shot on target.
Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra both had opportunities to equalize for Brighton, but Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno made two crucial saves, leaving the visitors frustrated at the break.
The Seagulls found their equalizer in the 56th minute when Carlos Baleba struck a precise shot into the bottom corner after receiving a pass from Pedro just outside the Fulham box.
Fulham regained the lead in the 79th minute when Matt O’Riley inadvertently redirected a corner from Andreas Pereira into his own net. Brighton’s captain, Lewis Dunk, protested for a foul, claiming that Issa Diop had pushed him, but after a review, VAR upheld the referee’s ruling, allowing the goal to stand.
The home team secured the victory in the 87th minute when Iwobi, the Super Eagles playmaker, skillfully maneuvered inside the Brighton penalty area and found the bottom corner, igniting celebrations among the fans in the stadium.
