Pedro penalty snatches Brighton victory over Fulham

Joao Pedro has scored eight Premier League goals this season

Joao Pedro's stoppage-time penalty snatched Brighton victory over Fulham and strengthened their hopes of securing a Champions League berth.

Pedro won the penalty for his side after beating Fulham's Harrison Reed to the ball and taking a challenge on the back of the ankle.

The Brazilian dispatched the spot-kick into the corner to score for a third successive game - the first time he has achieved that feat in the Premier League - and deliver a crucial three points for the hosts.

Raul Jimenez had put Fulham in front with a well-taken volley after some neat chest control at the far post but Brighton struck back six minutes later through Jan Paul van Hecke.

Both teams played 120 minutes when securing their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last Sunday, with Brighton beating Newcastle and Fulham seeing off Manchester United, and fatigue may have played a part in a largely uneventful first half at Amex Stadium.

Brighton showed a slight improvement in the second half and had two goals ruled out for offside before eventually grabbing the winner.

The victory moves Brighton up to sixth and just one point adrift of Manchester City who are fourth and in the final guaranteed Champions League spot.

Fulham, who had not lost against Brighton in nine previous encounters, stay ninth, four points further back.

Pedro delivers knockout blow

Since losing 7-0 at Nottingham Forest on 1 February, Brighton have been in stunning form - winning six in a row to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and emerge as serious contenders for a place in the Champions League.

They have lost just twice in their past 15 games across all competitions, and have won four consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since 1981.

Indeed, Brighton are thriving on and off the field after announcing some very healthy finances with a post-tax profit of £42.9m in the 2023-24 season in February.

But it was an afternoon that flirted with ending in frustration for the Seagulls as they lacked their usual rhythm for large periods.

Van Hecke's bullet header to draw them level was the only bright moment for the hosts in the first half, with the Netherlands centre-back afforded far too much space to latch on to Yasin Ayari's free-kick.

Prior to the game, Brighton-based boxer Harlem Eubank was welcomed on to the pitch with his IBF intercontinental welterweight title, which he won in his home town on Friday.

The Seagulls found some of Eubank's fighting spirit in the closing stages to force Fulham on the back foot and win a penalty.

Pedro, a man in form, grabbed the ball immediately and finished confidently to land the knockout blow.

Next up for Brighton is a trip to Manchester City on 15 March (15:00 GMT).

Fulham not firing on all cylinders

Fulham's away form has been integral to their push for a European place - boasting the sixth-best record on the road in the division.

After a slow start from both sides, Marco Silva's team provided the first real moment of quality when Alex Iwobi burst down the right flank and delivered an inviting cross for Jimenez to finish.

Unfortunately that was the first and last moment of quality from the visitors on what has to be filed as an off day.

Fulham did not manage to muster another attempt on target as their five-match winning run away from home came to an end.

They struggled to get Jimenez further involved in the encounter with the Mexican's only other attempt flying wide.

The Cottagers have been tough to keep at bay on their travels, scoring in their past 13 Premier League games - including Jimenez's strike - while they have netted at least two in their past six away outings.

A draw would have been regarded as a positive result against an in-form Brighton, but defeat dampens their hopes of pushing for a top-four finish.