João Pedro’s last-gasp penalty sinks Fulham as Brighton keep up hot streak | Premier League

Things were always going to be tight in this battle of two of the Premier League’s more upwardly mobile sides and so it proved until the fifth minute of added time. At that stage, it looked as though Jan Paul van Hecke’s header that cancelled out Raúl Jiménez’s excellent strike would give Brighton and Fulham a share of the points.

But a dramatic late penalty from João Pedro, after he was fouled by the substitute Harrison Reed, with seconds left to play gave Fabian Hürzeler’s side a sixth straight victory in all competitions to lift them up to sixth place – one point behind Manchester City in fourth – and leave Marco Silva fuming at his side’s inability to see out the draw. The Fulham manager stood motionless at the final whistle but admitted they had played a major role in their own downfall.

“It’s a difficult one to take but that’s the reality,” Silva said. “When the game was really quiet we were completely in control and we conceded a goal from a free-kick. We gave them a chance. And then it was not a good second half from us. It’s clearly our fault that we lost the game.”

For Brighton, who face a trip to Manchester City next week, this was more evidence of how things have turned since their 7-0 thrashing by Nottingham Forest last month, even if Hürzeler is taking the owner Tony Bloom’s stance about whether they can maintain their run.

“Tony always says there is no momentum so I copy his sentence and I also understand why,” he said. “In the Premier League every game is a new challenge so we have to be happy about the situation we have and then focus on the next challenge.”

The sun may have been shining on the south coast but the tempo of this game throughout reflected the fact there was no chance of either side being on the beach just yet. Both booked their places in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last weekend and – even if they are now separated by four points – continue to harbour realistic ambitions of qualifying for Europe next season via the Premier League after this.

There are also plenty of similarities between their managers, with Hürzeler and Silva having arrived in English football’s top flight in their 30s and known as two of the division’s more demonstrative characters on the touchline. The Fulham manager spent most of the first half on his feet as his side congested the midfield and managed to keep Brighton – who lacked cutting edge as Danny Welbeck watched on from the bench – at arm’s length.

The plan seemed to be working effectively and the visitors took the lead when the impressive Alex Iwobi strode down the right flank in the 35th minute and delivered a brilliant cross to the back post for Jiménez. His chest control to take the ball past Van Hecke was superb and a half-volleyed finish with his left foot gave Bart Verbruggen no chance.

To Hürzeler and the home supporters’ relief, the lead lasted around five minutes when Andreas Pereira fouled Carlos Baleba and Van Hecke got his revenge by heading home his first Premier League goal off the post from Yasin Ayari’s free-kick after escaping his marker Calvin Bassey.

But Brighton continued to toil in the second half against Fulham’s organised defence and when they did find a way through, Kaoru Mitoma’s goal was chalked off because Yankuba Minteh had strayed offside in the buildup. Welbeck and Solly March received detailed instructions from the Brighton manager before coming on for the final 15 minutes but the veteran striker’s header was badly off target when João Pedro picked him out inside the area.

It felt like it wasn’t going to be their day when their fellow substitute Simon Adingra had the ball in the net soon after, only to be flagged offside. But the pivotal moment arrived when Reed attempted to clear the ball and tripped João Pedro inside the area to allow the Brazilian to stroke home his seventh Premier League goal of the season. “I’m not complaining, a clever striker felt contact and won the penalty,” said Silva. “We expect this type of striker to do his job. If it was my side I’d ask for a penalty.”