Player ratings: Fulham 2-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Written by George Rossiter on 31st August 2022
George Rossiter looks at the performances of the whites after another fantastic home win.
Two early goals in the second half and half an hour (plus eight minutes) of superb game management saw Fulham make it eight points from five games and maintain their unbeaten start at the Cottage.
Bernd Leno
Not anything Leno could have done for the Brighton goal, a well struck penalty from Alexis Mac Allister. Bar that, he looked much stronger in the air collecting crosses than he previously did at the Emirates, helping to keep things calm at the death too. 7.5/10.
Kenny Tete
Tete was once again phenomenal in any one-on-one scenarios, consistently matching up well to Estupinan early on, and Mitoma later on in the game. His contributions to seeing out the game in the corners in the final embers of the game was phenomenal. 8/10.
Tosin
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile not entirely faultless, this was the first game this season where I don’t remember Tosin making an error in possession, which was good to see. An all round solid defensive display in what was once again an impressive back-line. 7.5/10.
Tim Ream
The man is maturing like a fine wine. Ream was putting in another fantastic performance but it peaked in the final moments with an incredible block to stop an almost certain Brighton equaliser, despite a hugely obvious offside that wasn’t called by the assistant referee. 8.5/10.
Antonee Robinson
I simply can’t praise Robinson highly enough for the way he’s adapted his attacking game in the Championship to his defensive game in the Premier League. The transition has been faultless system wise and he’s played a big part of it, fantastic again down the left. 8/10.
Joao Palhinha
The influence of this man doesn’t dwindle whether we’re on the front foot or up against it. He dictates from the base of the midfield with an elite level of composure. Once again, pivotal in winning so many midfield battles against a strong Brighton side. 8/10.
Harrison Reed
After the Arsenal game I pointed out how minimized Reed’s impact on a game was when the focus was on shape and defending so narrowly, that was shown tonight. When Fulham were more expansive, Harrison was everywhere, up and down the pitch. 8/10.
Andreas Pereira
Another solid showing from the Brazilian. Consistently linking play up deep in Brighton’s half with a number of cute turns and touches. Played a huge part in the second goal, bringing about a deflection from Dunk. Happy to compete in any 50/50, but could sometimes be stronger in committing himself in tackles, that’ll improve with time under Silva. 7.5/10.
Bobby De-Cordova Reid
Bobby didn’t have a poor game but from a wider point of view, he was probably the least effective going forward of Fulham’s front four. His challenge on Estupinan was slightly careless and gave Brighton a way back into the game through their penalty. Contributed brilliantly to seeing the game out in the corners late on. 6.5/10.
Neeskens Kebano
Neeskens looked right back up to speed and in the first half especially consistently had the better of Joel Veltman. In the second half he did well contributing defensively and probably could have put the game to bed when reacting to a dropped Sanchez cross. 7.5/10.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Absolutely stunning performance, one that typified Mitro under Silva, he did everything and he did it well, and everywhere on the pitch. Constantly helping defensively. Bringing the ball up the pitch on numerous occasions. Brilliant hold-up play against a strong Brighton defence. Making it five goals in five with his goal. But I must remind you all, he can’t do it in the Premier League… 9/10 – Man of the match.
Substitutes
Tom Cairney (78’ for Andreas Pereira)
Brilliant in helping see the game out, mastering the art of seeing out a win in added time. 7/10.
Nathaniel Chalobah (90+2’ for Harrison Reed)
Contributed to seeing the win through by heading away a barrage of Brighton crosses. 6.5/10.
