Analysis: Fulham bounce back to beat Brightonpublished at 19:18 GMT 24 January
19:18 GMT 24 January
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham returned to winning ways with a 2-1 comeback win against Brighton at Craven Cottage on Saturday after their impressive six-game unbeaten run had come to a screeching halt at Leeds last week.
Looking for a response at Craven Cottage, Marco Silva's side created more than Brighton early on with Raul Jimenez's near-post effort in the 24th minute denied by a fine save from Bart Verbruggen.
However, Yasin Ayari's brilliant opener proved to be a shock to their system - one from which they failed to recover in the first half.
Silva turned to his bench to spark the comeback with Samuel Chukwueze, on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, grabbing the equaliser 13 minutes after coming on.
Fulham have now had 33 goal involvements from their substitutes since the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season, with only Brighton (39) recording more.
The winner came in the dying moments as Harry Wilson's clever free-kick sent Brighton keeper Verbruggen scrambling across his goal in vain as the Wales international scored his ninth goal of the season.
Since the start of November, only Erling Haaland (12) has been involved in more league goals than Wilson, who has scored seven and assisted four in 14 appearances.
The win that helped them climb to seventh should give Fulham plenty of confidence before they take on fifth-placed Manchester United at Old Trafford next week.
Fulham 2-1 Brighton: What Silva saidpublished at 18:43 GMT 24 January
18:43 GMT 24 January
Media caption,
Fulham boss Marco Silva, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's victory against Brighton: "We knew we were playing against a very good side and we started the game very well with two chances
"The moment after their goal we should not fall so much. A goal cannot take everything good from ourselves but it did in the first half and we did suffer - and they played well.
"In the second half we dug in and in terms of performance, not that great, but we believe always, we changed from the bench and when we equalised we were pushing much more. We were here to take risks and we scored a great free-kick.
"Probably a draw was a fair result but we got the reward for our belief and the way we pushed. We got the three points in a really difficult game so what a win for us."
On match-winner Harry Wilson: "It's an incredible moment. When you are confident it is a perfect example and you show your qualities in many ways. He has been with us for a long time, we all know he is a great taker of free-kicks, but I think that's the first he has scored direct officially."
Did you know?
Since the start of November, only Erling Haaland (12) has had a hand in more Premier League goals than Fulham's Harry Wilson (11 goal involvements in 14 appearances – 7 goals, 4 assists), with 2025-26 being Wilson's most productive season in terms of both goal involvements (12) and goals (8) in the division.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Manchester City v Wolves" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Liverpool", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Fulham v Brightonpublished at 11:03 GMT 24 January
11:03 GMT 24 January
These two sides are next to each other in the table in 11th and 12th, and drew 1-1 at the start of the season, so you know this is going to be close.
Fulham will have Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Calvin Bassey back from the Africa Cup of Nations, and I am not reading too much into their last-gasp defeat at Leeds last week anyhow.
Brighton will create chances - they always do - and I am expecting them to score, but Fulham won this game 3-1 last season with Iwobi scoring twice and I am going for them again this time.
Fulham v Brighton & Hove Albion: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 18:59 GMT 23 January
18:59 GMT 23 January
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion will be out to break free of the Premier League's mid-table maelstrom when they meet at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Both teams saw dramatic late goals go in in their respective games last week. Fulham conceded a stoppage-time strike to lose 1-0 at Leeds United, while Brighton salvaged a point against Bournemouth thanks to an overhead kick from Charalampos Kostoulas.
Sitting 11th and 12th going into the weekend's fixtures, victory for either side would put them back in touch with the European places.
Fulham on the back foot
Fulham's six-game unbeaten run was ended by Leeds last time out and there is plenty for head coach Marco Silva to ponder.
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey are back from the Africa Cup of Nations, and the Portuguese coach will be hopeful they can get Fulham on the front foot in games.
Off the ball this season, Fulham have been ponderous for large parts, with their 91 high turnovers – the amount of times they've earned possession in open play within 40 metres of the opponent's goal – comfortably the lowest of any team in the league.
They are also bottom for pressed sequences, a measure of how effectively a team disrupts their opponents' ability to play out from the back.
Much of the off-the-ball intensity is initiated by the forward line and, in 34-year-old Raul Jimenez, Fulham may not have the most dynamic pressing trigger.
The Mexico international has been valuable to the team with his goalscoring this season, though. All five of his strikes this campaign have put the team ahead – the highest 100% record of any player in the league in that category.
Seagulls' subs saving the day
There have been plenty of times in his second season in charge that head coach Fabian Hurzeler has failed to get things right from the start for Brighton. Often, though, he has been able to salvage matches with his in-game acumen.
Kostoulas' goal on Monday night was the ninth scored by a Seagulls substitute this season and the 14th goal involvement from a player coming off the bench. Brighton lead the way in both categories.
They have also made the joint most substitutions by any team in the Premier League this season. The only side that can match their 104 changes across 22 games so far are Fulham.
Last season, it was Silva who made the most effective changes in the Premier League, with 17 of their goals coming from substitutes. Brighton were second with 15.
So while things could start slowly on Saturday, both coaches have proven themselves well capable of altering the course of a contest.
Silva on Lukic injury, Wilson contract & 'deserved' Iwobi plauditspublished at 16:46 GMT 23 January
16:46 GMT 23 January
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at Craven Cottage (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Silva confirmed Sasa Lukic's injury is "serious" and it is "difficult to put a timescale" on his return but looks to be at least four to five weeks.
However, the three players who had been away at Afcon are all all back, "healthy" and in contention for the weekend: "They should be proud for what they did. Some big performances from some of them and always good to see our players get international football and perform the way they did. They are confident and ready to help the team."
He also expects Kenny Tete to have a chance to return for Saturday, while Rodrigo Muniz will be "soon in contention" after the weekend.
Following reports that Harry Wilson has refused to sign a contract before he knows Silva's future, the Fulham boss says he doesn't "know where it [speculation] comes from" and doesn't "believe something like that will come from Harry or his camp".
He added: "People can write what they want. Make rumours. I don't like people using excuses, I don't think Harry is going to use an excuse, if it is an excuse. He respects Fulham Football Club. With the contract, everyone knows the situation, everyone knows he's coming to end of contract, it is up to the club to speak with his representatives. Other speculation is just that."
On Issa Diop's future: "So far, I don't have any news of him going in a different direction."
On Alex Iwobi getting plaudits now: "Finally, finally, finally. It is really well deserved. Here, people are not looking at him like they should in the past. He was my player at Everton, had some good moments but consistency was missing a bit. Since joining Fulham, he has been very consistent if you look at the numbers. This was a target and something I spoke to him about, and from the first season here, his numbers have gone to a different level."
Silva said he doesn't want to find "excuses" after their defeat by Leeds, but feels "fatigue" from being unable to rotate players contributed to a lack of "energy" and wants to see that return against Brighton.
'Bobb would be a great signing' but club needs to 'ensure Wilson stays'published at 08:11 GMT 23 January
08:11 GMT 23 January
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Fulham's link to Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb and the development of Harry Wilson delaying talks over his future.
Here are some of your comments:
Philip: Fulham needs to do everything they can to ensure Wilson stays at the Cottage. If he does ask to leave I fear that Marco Silva might follow him out. The ownership needs to get serious with the transfer market and don't keep looking for a cheap bargain at the last minute.
Victoria: The Khan's need to get their act together and sign Wilson, who is someone who has proved himself time and time again. Why bring in another winger who has been injury prone and has not scored any goals this season? Silva needs to sign too and they need to give him what he wants. We are in a great position right now and hopefully we can build on that with Silva at the helm.
Henry: There feels like there has been a change of transfer strategy in recent times at Fulham. This potential new acquisition of Bobb represents a second £30m plus player arriving in the same season with Kevin's arrival in the summer. Is it a case of the ownership feeling the pressure of the newly promoted clubs, ambition to push for European places, or an attempt to convince Silva to stay? Maybe even possibly a combination of all three. I imagine after three consecutive seasons of Premier League football, we're finally not so tightly contained by Financial Fair Play.
Tom: Bobb would be a great signing for Fulham to give a bit of competition to Wilson on the right as he is currently competing with an out-of-sorts Adama Traore. Having four rapid, skilful wingers next season would give us the fiercest attack in our recent Premier League history and give us the best chance of reaching Europe in a long time.
Wilson future fears while Bobb emerges as targetpublished at 16:36 GMT 22 January
16:36 GMT 22 January
Image source, Getty Images
It's been a week of ups and downs for Fulham fans.
A deal for Manchester City's Oscar Bobb has been discussed but it has now emerged Harry Wilson wants to delay talks over his future, with his contract up in the summer.
How are you feeling about the Bobb and Wilson news?
A season of injuries - how does your club rank?published at 08:33 GMT 22 January
08:33 GMT 22 January
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
From the Premier League's elite to the soggy pitches of Sunday league, injuries are part and parcel of football - but which top-flight teams have been worst affected so far this season?
With help from injury expert Ben Dinnery, of premierinjuries.com,, external BBC Sport has examined which sides have been hit the hardest, the impact injuries can have on under-fire managers - and whether things are always as bad as they seem.
Sometimes, in this age of playing through the lines and technical proficiency, there remains a time when you just have to put your foot (or head) through it.
There are those defenders fans (and players) rely on to do just that.
Step forward Joachim Andersen and Virgil van Dijk, who stand in the way of attacks and take no nonsense, sending it away with head, foot or body in the name of getting the job done.
The two top the charts for successful clearances this season, with shoutouts going to a supporting cast of proper defenders.
Gossip: Fulham face summer fight for Parrottpublished at 06:45 GMT 21 January
06:45 GMT 21 January
Fulham are battling Wolfsburg and Real Betis to sign AZ Alkmaar's 23-year-old Republic of Ireland forward Troy Parrott in the summer. (Independent), external
'Nothing is off the table this season'published at 13:31 GMT 20 January
13:31 GMT 20 January
Drew Heatley Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
It is hard to get too irritated with a defeat after a seven-game unbeaten run, but our showing at Elland Road on Saturday illustrated the work still needed this season.
That work must happen on the training pitch, in the dugout and in the boardroom.
Left-back Antonee Robinson recently returned from injury, having had surgery during the summer, and Saturday was far from his best performance in a white shirt. He was caught out on more than one occasion defensively and struggled when going forward.
'Jedi' has credit in the bank, having been one of our best performers since his arrival in 2020, but Ryan Sessegnon's performance in his absence probably has not helped him.
Marco Silva also came in for criticism in the wake of the loss. Our boss has so many laudable qualities (all of which have been praised here many times), but his in-game management can sometimes leave us scratching our heads.
Silva took off Harry Wilson – so often our match-winner – for centre-back Issa Diop in the dying embers of the game, trying to protect a point that we probably did not deserve. But there is an argument to be made that we should have gone for the jugular against a side beneath us in the table.
And that leaves the boardroom. There is a little less than two weeks left of the January transfer window, and we could still do with a striker and a ball-carrying central midfielder. Our main target, USA striker Ricardo Pepi, recently broke his arm, but reports claim we could still move to secure him before the deadline.
With just nine points separating Liverpool in fourth and Tottenham in 14th - and with us sitting firmly in the middle of that – nothing is off the table this season.
If we can make improvements, no matter how minor, we could achieve something special.