Joao Pedro’s dramatic 98th-minute penalty secured a historic first Premier League victory for Brighton over Fulham, as the Seagulls edged a thrilling contest 2-1 to move within touching distance of the top four.
Fulham struck first through Raul Jimenez just after the half-hour mark. The Mexican forward made the most of an inviting Alex Iwobi cross, controlling it well before smashing home from close range.
However, Brighton wasted little time in finding a response. Just six minutes later, Jan Paul van Hecke connected with a well-delivered Yasin Ayari set-piece, guiding his header beyond Bernd Leno and in off the far post.
The second half saw Brighton push relentlessly for a winner, with Kaoru Mitoma and Simon Adingra both finding the net—only for their efforts to be ruled out for offside.
Their persistence finally paid off deep into stoppage time when Harrison Reed’s challenge on Joao Pedro led to a penalty.
After VAR upheld referee Samuel Barrott’s initial decision, the Brazilian confidently slotted home from the spot to seal the win.
Brighton’s triumph moves them up to sixth, level on points with Chelsea and just one behind fourth-placed Manchester City in an increasingly tight race at the top.
Fulham, meanwhile, remain ninth, trailing eighth-placed Bournemouth by a single point and sitting four behind the Seagulls.
This victory also marks a rare feat for Brighton, who have now won four consecutive Premier League matches—only the second time in their history that they have managed such a streak in the top flight.
The last time they achieved this was back in April and May of 1981, a run that helped them narrowly avoid relegation from the old First Division.
Remarkably, the Seagulls’ current winning streak began after a humiliating 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on February 1.
Fabian Hurzeler’s squad has now joined an exclusive club, becoming just the second team in English top-flight history to win four consecutive matches immediately after suffering a loss by seven or more goals.
The only other team to do so was Grimsby Town in 1931, following their 9-1 defeat to Arsenal.
