Brighton 0-1 Fulham: Sub Manor Solomon scores late to steal three points for Marco Silva’s visitors

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi had given Manor Solomon a hug before walking onto the pitch, the former Shakhtar Donetsk manager and player reunited for a brief moment. Six minutes later, Solomon fired a dramatic late winner to lift Fulham past Brighton in the battle for Europe.

Fulham had played with their backs against the wall for almost 90 minutes. One wonders if De Zerbi is familiar with the phrase ‘smash and grab’. The Italian was a bundle of frustration for most of the match. Every time a chance was wasted or a pass was deflected, the Italian would jump up and down on the spot, throw his arms in the air, and walk away in exasperation.

It’s a fascinating watch, as is his Brighton team. They should have won here, but they were punished for not taking advantage of their opportunities.

Marco Silva, a slightly quieter but equally passionate manager, played the perfect match against his counterpart. Fulham, still without star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, were prepared to frustrate in order to steal a goal on the counter-attack. Mission accomplished.

It is remarkable that his team is even in contention for Europe. They are a team that many thought would be fighting at the other end of the table this season, that they are even in contention is remarkable. Silva has held firm since August when they aim to avoid relegation, but there’s no reason they can’t dream of more.

Manor Solomon came off the bench to score the last goal for Fulham in a 1-0 win at Brighton

Salomón entered at 82′ for Marco Silva’s Fulham, and scored six minutes later

Two evenly matched sides appeared to be playing out a goalless draw, until late drama

Brighton, who have two games to go, can still finish higher in the table but will need to improve in the final third.

The Seagulls have managed the summer departures of Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma, but may still be lacking the attacking threat of Leandro Trossard since his January move from Arsenal.

The atmosphere at the Amex was electric before kick-off, but a fast start soon faded in a first half that produced no clear chances. A curling effort from Solly March in the opening minutes was the closest either side had come to breaking the deadlock. Issa Diop did well to block Evan Ferguson’s shot from a tight angle, while Kenny Tete made a vital interception to prevent Lewis Dunk from getting on the end of Pervis Estupinan’s cross.

Fulham were limited to counter-attacks and failed to manage a single shot on goal before the break.

The hosts should have taken the lead shortly after the restart when Dunk rose to find March’s corner, but the defender could only send his header wide.

He scored crucial points for Fulham de Silva in the race for European places in the Premier League

Roberto de Zerbi’s Gaviotas dominated most of the attacking game, but could not secure a goal

Facundo Buonanotte’s goal for Brighton was later ruled out by VAR for offside in the preview

Another great opportunity was lost when March sent a direct shot to Bernd Leno after Joel Veltman appeared to have stumbled in the box. However, replays showed that Veltman had fallen on Antonee Robinson, and referee Darren England made the correct decision not to award a penalty.

March had the ball in the net after meeting Adam Webster’s fall, but the winger was in a good offside position. Brighton’s pressure was mounting and Leno was forced to make a fine save to avoid Alexis Mac Allister’s acrobatic effort at the near post.

Brighton had the ball in the net again when substitutes Deniz Undav and Facundo Buonanotte combined, the latter hitting the back post. But Undav was marginally sidelined in the build-up as Fulham survived once again. Undav then came close when he headed March’s cross just outside the far post.

Then came the breakthrough, but not for the team that had been dominating. Substitute Carlos Vincinius had barely touched the ball since his introduction on 62 minutes, but he got past Joel Veltman on the halfway line and sent a brilliant pass to Solomon down the left. Dunk did his best to put pressure on the striker again, but the Israeli was too quick. The only question was could he keep his composure? He responded emphatically, firing a low effort into the bottom right corner that gave Robert Sanchez no chance.