Brighton’s quest for a fifth consecutive Premier League opening day victory was dramatically halted as Rodrigo Muniz scored a 97th-minute equaliser to earn Fulham a 1-1 draw at the American Express Stadium. The late-game heroics denied the Seagulls a winning start after they had dominated large parts of the match.
Brighton appeared to have scored just four minutes in when Yankuba Minteh found the net, but the goal was quickly ruled out as the ball had gone out of play in the build-up. Despite the early disappointment, the Seagulls continued to apply pressure. Shots from Georginio Rutter and a header from Mats Wieffer tested Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, but the first half ended goalless. Fulham’s best chance came from Harry Wilson, who headed over the bar.
The home side’s persistence paid off early in the second half. Following a superb run into the box, Rutter was clipped by Sander Berge, earning Brighton a penalty. Stepping up to take the spot kick was Matt O’Riley, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. The goal was O’Riley’s fifth from his last six penalties and marked the 1,000th goal conceded by Fulham in the Premier League.
As Fulham pushed for an equaliser, Brighton had opportunities to extend their lead on the break. Minteh had a clear chance but fired over, and Fulham’s Leno nearly fumbled a strike from Diego Gomez over the line, but he recovered just in time.
The match appeared to be heading for a Brighton victory until deep into stoppage time. From a corner, the ball fell to Rodrigo Muniz at the back post, and he fired it into the bottom corner, snatching a dramatic point for the visitors and denying Brighton their winning start.
