Glenn Murray smashed home a late penalty as Brighton and Hove Albion came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Fulham. Albion's talisman grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck after Brighton had fallen 2-0 behind just after the hour, netting twice in 17 minutes to salvage a point.
It could have been all three for the host had Pascal Gross not seen an early penalty saved at the AMEX Stadium, the midfielder's miss punished soon after by Andre Schurrle. Schurrle's cool finish from a crisp attacking move was added to by the impressive Aleksandar Mitrovic, the striker netting his fourth of the season at the second attempt.
However, the Serbian went from hero to villain as he inexplicably gave away a late penalty, allowing Murray to grab his second and earn a share of the spoils. Having seen Mitrovic waste Fulham's best chance of the opening 15 minutes, Brighton sprung into life and was gifted a penalty following a clumsy challenge from Luciano Vietto on Murray.
Gross was unable to convert, though, as Marcus Bettinelli got down superbly to his right to push his spot-kick away. It proved costly for the Seagulls as Schurrle broke the deadlock just before the break, the German making it two in two with a neat finish from Jean Michael Seri's sensational scooped pass.
A shocking mistake from Lewis Dunk gave Mitrovic his chance to continue his impressive scoring run, one that he converted to double Fulham's advantage. Fulham switched off in the moments after that goal, however, and that allowed Murray to halve the deficit, the striker stroking home having been given the freedom of the penalty area.
And Murray secured a draw with six minutes to play with an emphatic penalty after Mitrovic had handled despite no pressure from a Brighton player.
What it means: Frustration for Fulham
The visitor should have coasted to victory having gone 2-0 ahead but two defensives lapses cost it dearly, something Slavisa Jokanovic will need to improve after the international break.
Pat on the back: Murray to the rescue
Brighton needed someone to turn the tide back in its direction and Murray stepped up to the plate, the striker getting the rewards for an impressive display. Having halved the deficit the forward held his nerve with a superbly-taken spot kick to snatch a point.
Boot up the backside: Disaster for Dunk
Chris Hughton drafted Dunk back into his starting line-up but the defender — normally so reliable — had a difficult afternoon, his mistake for Mitrovic's goal almost proving crucial. Luckily for him, Murray spared his blushes.
Key Opta stats:
- Brighton has won points after going two goals down for the first time ever in the Premier League.
- Brighton has been awarded 10 penalties in the Premier League since the start of last season (scoring seven), a joint-high along with Crystal Palace.
- Fulham's Jean Michael Seri has recorded goal involvements in consecutive league games (assist versus Brighton following a goal versus Burnley) for the first time since December 2016 for Nice in Ligue 1.
- Fulham forward Andre Schurrle has scored in consecutive Premier League games within a single season for the first time ever.
- Since his Fulham debut in February, Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored more goals in English league football than any other player (16).
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