EPL: Chukwueze inspires Fulham comeback against Brighton
Fulham came from behind to secure a dramatic 2-1 Premier League victory over Brighton at Craven Cottage, with Samuel Chukwueze scoring on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations and Harry Wilson sealing the win with a stunning late free-kick.
Brighton took the lead in the first half through Yasin Ayari, but Fulham came out strong after the break.
Chukwueze struck off the bench to draw the hosts level before Wilson delivered the decisive moment deep into stoppage time.
Ayari had earlier produced the game’s opening goal in the 28th minute, cutting in from the left and firing a powerful effort from the edge of the box past Bernd Leno.
Brighton nearly doubled their advantage soon after, but Leno denied Kaoru Mitoma and Timothy Castagne cleared Ferdi Kadioglu’s follow-up header off the line.
Chukwueze makes instant impact
Fulham emerged with greater intent after the interval and were rewarded with an equaliser.
Chukwueze, recently returned from AFCON duty, was introduced from the bench and made an immediate difference.
The Nigerian winger timed his run well to latch onto a long ball from Joachim Andersen before calmly slotting past Bart Verbruggen to make it 1-1.
The goal shifted things in Fulham’s favour, though Brighton continued to threaten. Danny Welbeck thought he had restored the visitors’ lead moments later, but his effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. The striker also went close with a header that Leno tipped over the bar.
Wilson settles it late
As the match appeared to be heading for a draw, Fulham found a dramatic winner in stoppage time.
Wilson stepped up to take a free-kick from around 25 yards, awarded after Charalampos Kostoulas fouled Josh King, and curled a superb strike beyond Verbruggen to spark celebrations at Craven Cottage.
The result lifts Fulham to seventh place in the Premier League with 34 points, strengthening their push for European qualification.
Brighton, meanwhile, remain 12th, four points behind the hosts after letting a first-half lead slip away.
