Positives and Negatives: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Fulham

Jack Stroudley looks back at our defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.

What a difference a week makes. Following the joy and jubilation of Old Trafford, Fulham fell to a narrow defeat on the South Coast against Brighton & Hove Albion. Results on the day meant that Brighton and Aston Villa have pulled away slightly and leaves us looking up at the allusive European places. It’s a bitter pill to swallow but what are the main takeaways from the game?

Positives

Incisive Iwobi

There aren’t many positives to come from Saturday but I thought Raul Jimenez’s goal to give us the lead deserves an honourable mention, of which most of the credit falls on Alex Iwobi. The Nigerian has been slightly off the boil in recent weeks but his darting run down the right showcased the ability at his disposal. A sumptuous ball into the box was well received by the Mexican who remained composed and slotted past Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen. In a game devoid of much quality from those in Red, this was a real standout and reminds Fulham fans just how good we can be in the final third.

Negatives

Back five failure

In the pub pre-game, the big argument between those I attended with was whether we’d stick with a four or revert to a five, Fulham went with the latter and paid the price. It’s very easy to look at a last minute goal and think it’s one of those days at the office, but Fulham were really poor on Saturday afternoon. Second to every ball, devoid of attacking quality, lacking bite in the middle of the park and seriously missing Sasa Lukic meant that Brighton ran out deserved winners.

The marking for the hosts leveller is equally as frustrating as Van Hecke appeared to have acres of space inside the box. I like the flexibility we have to change tactics depending on opposition but this felt like a day where Marco Silva got it wrong.

Reinforcements needed

It would be very easy to put a lot of blame on Harrison Reed for his clumsy challenge in the dying embers of the game but for me a bigger statement was the fact he didn’t start today. With no Sasa Lukic in our side, Marco Silva decided to go with a midfield two of Sander Berge and Andreas Pereira and we seemed to be overrun time and time again. For me this showcased just how light we are in certain areas of the pitch, midfield being the main area that’s desperate for improvement.

We’ve obviously been crippled with injuries in the wide areas and for me that’s beginning to show. Bar Iwobi’s moment of brilliance we failed to create anything, Emile Smith Rowe once again went missing and Willian/Ryan Sessegnon entered the game too late to make an impact. Whatever happens at the end of the season, we need extra bodies in (if only there was some sort of January window where we could’ve signed some players!).

Passports put away

This is going to feel slightly reactionary, one week passports are out and the next they’re put away. Personally I’ve never been too on board with the “European hype”. I think we’re not quite at the level yet (due to the previously mentioned depth as well as consistency) and Saturday for me showcased the quality that Brighton have in comparison to us – especially off the bench.

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, Fulham are in a magnificent position in their third Premier League campaign since promotion (especially considering the loss of Mitrovic and Palhinha). Fighting in the upper echelons of the table with the dream of a trip to Wembley still alive. Fulham are in a good spot for the future, I just don’t think we’re quite there yet.