Summarising Sunday’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur succinctly is something of a challenge. Marco Silva’s side probably outplayed Spurs, a serious achievement after they completely outclassed Manchester City on their own turf, but were punished for failing to score when they were on top – not for the first time this season. Substitutions turned the game around for the Whites, with Tom Cairney curling home an excellent equaliser, but Fulham had to hang on for a point after the skipper was sent off for a terribly, late challenge. The draw was a good return for a dramatic afternoon – but the Cottagers will need to step up their game to take on Brighton and Hove Albion at Craven Cottage this evening.
Fabian Hürzeler has enjoyed a fantastic start since becoming the Premier League’s youngest ever permanent first team coach at the start of the season. The Seagulls have only suffered two league defeats this term and they have already surprised several of the division’s top sides with some stylish performances. Albion orchestrated a superb second half fightback to come from behind to beat Spurs at home and they have also beaten both Manchester City and Manchester United in a start to the campaign that has the Seagulls only just two points off second place.
Albion have quickly become one of the most watchable outfits in the division and a revitalised Danny Welbeck is in the form of his life. The England international is enjoying his best spell since moving to the south coast on a free transfer four years ago, having already hit six goals this term. Welbeck is now just once short of the Albion record for the Premier League held by Pascal Gross. Hürzeler hinted during his press conference prior to the trip to London that the experienced Welbeck has become something of a role model – and you can certainly see the in-form forward as a popular member of the Albion squad.
The Seagulls have several outstanding performers that Silva’s side will need to keep an eye on this evening. They are led by the superb Lewis Dunk, who has just amassed 250 top-flight appearances and is a club legend having led the Albion back to the promised land of the Premier League, whilst the outstanding Carlos Baleba has the potential to become a leading midfielder. James Milner and Solly March have been there, seen in and done it in the engine room, whilst former Fulham academy graduate Matt O’Riley has made a magnificent start since arriving at the AMEX – including scoring the winner against Manchester City. Albion have plenty of firepower in the final third beside Welbeck, including the Japanese winger Karou Mitoma and former Leeds forward Georginio Rutter.
Outstanding right back Tariq Lamptey is reportedly fit again despite recent injury problems and Joel Veltman could return to the matchday squad, too, although Hürzeler will serve his one-game touchline suspension. Hinshelwood, March, Milner and Adam Webster and Ferdi Kadioglu are all out with injuries – but Brighton are certain to provide a stern test for their hosts this evening.
Silva has something of a midfield selection dilemma with both Cairney and Sasa Lukic banned. The Fulham head coach might have to mix and match in the engine room with Harrison Reed out for around another month with a knee complaint. He may have to reintroduce Andreas Pereira to the deeper midfield role after dropping him for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following the Brazilian international’s wantaway comments last week hinting at a possible January move to Marseille. Centre back Joachim Andersen remains sidelined with the calf strain that saw him come off early against Wolves, but Jorge Cuenca should be available to return to the bench.
**MY FULHAM XI (4-2-3-1):** Leno; Tete, A. Robinson, Diop, Bassey; Berge, Pereira; Nelson, Iwobi, Smith Rowe; Jimenez. **Subs:** Benda, Castagne, Cuenca, Sessegnon, King, Wilson, Traore, Sekularac, Muniz.