Brighton & Hove Albion secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over **Fulham**at the Amex Stadium, with a penalty deep into stoppage time propelling them to sixth place in the Premier League.
Fulham drew first blood in the 35th minute, but Brighton responded swiftly, with Jan Paul van Hecke rising to meet a set-piece delivery and heading the ball off the post and into the net just six minutes later.
The second half saw a tightly contested affair, and neither side could find the decisive breakthrough. As the clock ticked down, it seemed that a draw was inevitable but the Seagulls were awarded a penalty in the dying moments.
João Pedro calmly converted from the spot, sending the home crowd into raptures and securing a crucial three points.
Post Match thoughts
Speaking after the game, Fabian Hurzeler said: “We deserved it. We were the only team on the pitch who really wanted to have this win.
“We created some, dominated the game, and defended well. It was not the best performance from us but I think it was a deserved win.
"We weren't at our highest level regarding our freshness but you have to play clever and mature in these moments. You have to defend in a mature way but we conceded an easy goal.
“We got some more intensity in the second half. I liked the attitude and the character from us.”
Brighton's brilliant run
Brighton have now recorded their fourth consecutive win in the Premier League as well as beating Fulham for the first time in the competition leaving Hurzeler pleased with his side's recent run.
“We are pleased for every Premier League game because especially to get the wins out of these games is so tough.
"We have to understand why we are in this situation and exactly these things we have to continue doing and bringing ourselves individually and as a team on the next level.”
Future focus
Both sides face a huge end to the season as they aim to play European football next season but the 32 year old is not letting this talk impact his squad.
"It's not in the discussion. We have to focus on the next game."
Up next for Brighton and Hove Albion is a trip up north to face Manchester City who were defeated 1-0 by Nottingham Forest earlier today.