Marco Silva is expecting a big fight if Fulham want to land a European spot through the Premier League.
The west Londoners suffered a late 2-1 defeat to sixth-placed Brighton on Saturday, with Joao Pedro netting a 98th-minute penalty.
Raul Jimenez had put Fulham ahead in West Sussex with the Mexican international, 33, bagging his 12th goal of the season.
Silva’s side are three points off Aston Villa in seventh and could claim European football should they win the FA Cup.
“It’s very hard for us to take,” said Silva on the defeat at The Amex.
“Especially with the way we conceded both goals with the level that we’re playing at, going toe-to-toe with very good sides who want to climb up the table.
“I really believed we did well until the first goal – it was a great goal from us in the transition.
“The second half was different and we had more problems on the ball – we gave it away. We lost the momentum in the game and a little bit of control.
“There were not many chances at both ends. The penalty came from nowhere in the last second of the game.
“A typical striker (Pedro) feels the touch and goes down. Nothing to complain about. He did his job. It’s for the referee to decide. If it’s for our side, I would want it too. It’s about being calm in the box.
“It’s going to be a big fight for Europe, many teams are there. We have to take some positives, don’t be nervous and express yourselves.”
Fulham host Tottenham on Sunday, with the visitors three places and eight points below them in the table.
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