Fulham rescued a point against hosts Brighton & Hove Albion in their opening 2025-26 Premier League fixture on Saturday at the Amex
The game started slowly, with the sides mustering just one shot on target between them in the opening 42 minutes, though Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma could have done better with a header just before the half-hour mark.
Seagulls centre-forward Georginio Rutter was fouled in the box by midfielder shortly after half time, and Matt O'Riley converted his penalty into the bottom-left corner, giving Bernd Leno no chance.
Winger Yankuba Minteh should have doubled his side's lead with 25 minutes to go, but he blazed a close-range effort over the bar, and his miss proved costly given Rodrigo Muniz equalised for the visitors in the 97th minute.
The stalemate leaves Brighton in fourth and Fulham in fifth with a point apiece, though their positions could change drastically by the time the first round of games are concluded.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Matt O-Riley of Brighton & Hove Albion (left) and Raul Jimenez of Fulham (right) compete for the ball, on August 16, 2025
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler will be disappointed that his team started their new season without a clean sheet considering they only prevented their opponents from scoring once in their final nine games of 2025-26.
The Seagulls must keep key stars such as Carlos Baleba this summer if they have ambitions of European football, though perhaps they will need to address their defence before the transfer window closes.
Fulham boss Marco Silva will be pleased that his side were competitive for large periods, and a draw against Brighton should be seen positively, especially away from home in the opening matchweek of the Premier League season.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION VS. FULHAM HIGHLIGHTS
28th min: Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion) chance
Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion during his side's match against Fulham, on August 16, 2025
Brighton's Matt O'Riley whips in a cross to the left post, and though his delivery finds Kaoru Mitoma in the box, the forward heads just over the bar.
The best chance of the game so far!
65th min: Yankuba Minteh (Brighton & Hove Albion) chance
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion during his side's Premier League match against Fulham, on August 16, 2025
Mitoma breaks beyond the Fulham backline and plays across from the left to Yankuba Minteh inside the box, and though the winger is close to goa, he fires well over the crossbar from a central zone.
Could that miss prove costly?
55th min: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Fulham (Matt O'Riley)
Matt O-Riley of Brighton & Hove Albion scores against Fulham, on August 16, 2025
Seagulls striker Georginio Rutter is brought down by Sander Berge in the penalty area, and Matt O'Riley sends his penalty into the left side of the net past a diving Bernd Leno.
A breakthrough at last!
97th min: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Fulham (Rodrigo Muniz)
Rodrigo Muniz of Fulham celebrates scoring against Brighton & Hove Albion, on August 16, 2025
Lewis Dunk manages to make contact with Fulham's corner, but the Brighton man can only direct the ball into the path of Rodrigo Muniz, who takes a touch before striking ferociously from the left low into the net.
Fulham have rescued a point!
MAN OF THE MATCH - MATT O'RILEY
Matt O-Riley of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates scoring in the Premier League against Fulham, on August 16, 2025
Matt O'Riley was important with and without the ball, with that 24-year-old having covered the most distance (11.3km) and run the most (8.6km) of any player on the pitch by the time he was subbed off in 88th minute.
The Danish star's penalty was excellently converted, and though his efforts were not rewarded with three points, his performance still stood out.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION VS. FULHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton & Hove Albion 50%-50% Fulham
Shots: Brighton & Hove Albion 10-7 Fulham
Shots on target: Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 Fulham
Corners: Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 Fulham
Fouls: Brighton & Hove Albion 16-15 Fulham
BEST STATS
Only two sides in Premier League history have conceded 1,000 goals in fewer than 700 games:
◎ Leicester (679 games)
◉ Fulham (685 games)
The Foxes have some company. ? pic.twitter.com/NWgUYsnDxD
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 16, 2025
No Joao Pedro, no problem.
Matt O'Riley's converted spot-kick takes Brighton's run of consecutive successful Premier League penalties up to eight ✅ pic.twitter.com/8QiZ1m95j2
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) August 16, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Brighton's next game will come against Everton away from home next Sunday, before they face Oxford United in the EFL Cup on August 26.
As for Fulham, they will welcome Manchester United to Craven Cottage on August 24, and they will hope to head into their EFL Cup clash against Bristol City two days later with a victory.
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