FootyChatter.com

Football

Brighton and Hove Albion

vs Fulham. Premier League.

3: 00pm, Saturday 16th August 2025.

Amex Stadium.

Report and free match highlights as Fulham claimed a dramatic 1-1 draw against Brighton thanks to Rodrigo Muniz's late leveller; Matt O'Riley gave Brighton the lead from the spot as Fabian Hurzeler's side missed a number of chances for a second goal; Muniz has been linked with Atalanta

@Sam BIitz

Saturday 16 August 2025 20: 28, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rodrigo Muniz was the hero for Fulham in the final minute of stoppage time to rescue a dramatic point via a 1-1 draw at Brighton. The Brazilian striker - who has been strongly linked with a move away from the club amid an approach from Atalanta - finished low into the far corner to deny Brighton an opening-day win. After the full-time whistle, the travelling fans sang to the striker: "We want you to stay. " The Seagulls were on course for victory thanks to Matt O'Riley's penalty after Georginio Rutter was fouled by Sander Berge. But Brighton were guilty of missing a number of clear-cut chances from the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Diego Gomez and Brajan Gruda before Fulham equalised - with Muniz tucking home after a corner was flicked onto his path. After conceding 22 points from winning positions last season, the second season of the Fabian Hurzeler era begins with two more. It was looking like a frustrating opening defeat for Marco Silva to match a fruitless transfer window, with just one summer signing so far. There was the minor boost of an impressive outing for 18-year-old midfielder Josh King, who started despite Emile Smith Rowe and Andreas Pereira being available for selection.

Stream the Premier League with no contract

Watch FREE Premier League highlights

Premier League fixtures

Download the Sky Sports app

King could have won Fulham a penalty when he went down under Bart Verbruggen's challenge but the referee waved it away. It was not the only major refereeing decision of the first half as Minteh was denied an early opener after Carlos Baleba had taken the ball out of play in the build-up. Brighton: Verbruggen (6); Wieffer (6), Dunk (6), Van Hecke (7), De Cuyper (6); Baleba (7), Ayari (5), O’Riley (7); Minteh (6), Rutter (6), Mitoma (6)

Subs: Welbeck (6), Gruda (5), Gomez (6), Kadioglu (6), Milner (n/a)

Fulham: Leno (6); Tete (7), Andersen (6), Cuenca (6), Bassey (7); Berge (6), Lukic (6), King (7); Wilson (6), Jimenez (5), Iwobi (6)

Subs: Adama (6), Muniz (7), Cairney (6), Smith Rowe (6), Castagne (n/a)

Player of the Match: Josh King (Fulham)

After O'Riley's opener, Brighton had so many chances to double the lead, with Minteh blazing over, Bernd Leno almost fumbling a Gomez piledriver into his net, and Gruda missing a one-one-on moments before Muniz's leveller. For Brighton, attacking improvement is needed. For Fulham, attacking numbers. Fulham head coach Marco Silva: "I think [Muniz] deserves respect for [playing despite speculation over his future]. Rodrigo is a man, he's not a young lad no more, but he's still young. "This is going to be the third season that Rodrigo is going to have as a senior player because the others before were an adaptation in England. And there was one bad spell at Middlesbrough when he was on loan. "The last two seasons he proved himself as a Premier League striker in my opinion and I'm sure that this season is going to be even better. "The week from him was very, very good in terms of preparation, work ethic and all that stuff. "He was rewarded for that, he helped the team. I know Rodrigo very well but he show for everybody - amid the noise around him - how he's a professional football player and how he respects myself, the team-mates as well. "Sometimes it's not the rumour around themselves, the people around themselves. You are talking about their jobs as well and a lot of things around, but I think he's going to handle in the future even better these type of moments. " Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler: "We defended 96 minutes, I think there was not one chance for them to win the game. In the second half we created a lot of chances, of course we could be more ruthless and score a second goal, but overall I'm very pleased with how together we were. "It felt very compact, it felt very intense. We were in good shape and that's what I'm looking at, and therefore we should focus on these positive things. "If you take the positive things out, and there were a lot of positive things, then I'm sure that in the long term the results will come. That's the main focus for me. "That's also how I try to deal with these experiences. Of course everyone can imagine that I'm not feeling great, that I'm very disappointed, but that's something you have to accept in life. That's an adversity you have to accept and you have to find the right solutions for it. "You can't fall into self-complaining or being sorry for yourself. I think that's the wrong thing. You have to go forward, you have to look forward, and you have to be a role model for every other one in the club. " Sky Sports' Sam Blitz at the Amex Stadium: On the face of it, there was always going to be late drama between Brighton and Fulham. Rodrigo Muniz's late equaliser means there have been four goals scored after the 79th minute in their last three encounters. For Brighton, however, there was a familiar story. Another lead dropped, another missed chance. Twenty-two points were dropped from winning positions last season. Add two more to the Fabian Hurzeler era. Brighton's performances under the German have been brilliant - the eighth-placed finish for the 32-year-old was underrated in terms of Premier League achievements last season. Imagine how good they would be if they can hold on to a lead? But if owner Tony Bloom wants to see his dream of being in Europe every season, then his players will need to strengthen their resolve. Carlos Baleba had been strongly linked to Manchester United this week, but he was outshone by another young gem after 25 minutes. It was only Josh King's second Premier League start but the 18-year-old was running rings around the Brighton midfielder. He was Fulham's biggest threat and the player making things happen throughout. The teenager combined well with Fulham's key player from last year Alex Iwobi down the left, with King's directness, comfort on the ball and aggressiveness in the duels a reason why he started over the available and more experienced options of Emile Smith Rowe and Andreas Pereira. "He's a top-talent player and I didn't have any reservations to start with him, " said Marco Silva. But the Fulham manager cannot rely on an 18-year-old for attacking inspiration. More signings are needed - with Fulham yet to make an outfield purchase this summer. Rodrigo Muniz is wanted elsewhere and even if he stays, seven out of his last nine Premier League goals have come as a substitute. Fulham need more players like King to make the difference from the off. Super 6 are starting the season by guaranteeing a £1, 000, 000 winner! Play for free.

© 2025 Sky UK