Brighton and Fulham have both been the surprise packages of the Premier League this season and a late goal from visiting substitute Manor Solomon dented Albion’s hopes for European qualification.
As they did against Crystal Palace last week, Albion dominated possession and were the team pressing but they just could not find the decisive opening. Fulham, who were without their injured striker Aleksandar Mitrovic with a “minor injury”, defended well and at times rode their luck before netting their winner with two minutes of normal time remaining following a swift counter.
Albion missed presentable chances through Solly March, Evan Ferguson, Lewis Dunk and Deniz Undav, while substitute Facundo Buonanotte had a goal ruled-out as Undav had strayed offside in the build-up.
It was another frustrating outcome for Brighton who have claimed just one point from their previous two matches when it really should have been six. Albion’s unbeaten record in 2023 ends and Fulham move above Albion into sixth place with 38 points as Albion slip to seventh.
Here’s how the Albion players rated.
Albion missed presentable chances through Solly March, Evan Ferguson, Lewis Dunk and Deniz Undav, while substitute Facundo Buonanotte had a goal ruled-out as Undav had strayed offside in the build-up.
![What a signing the Ecuador international has proved to be. Improving all the time defensively and also willing to bomb forward. Controls the left flank. Replaced by Lamptey with suspected hamstring issue. Hopefully not serious, Albion's best player on the day](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmYyYzU5MTA0LTc4YmYtNGQ5NS1iMDMyLThhZGM1OTE0NjVkNDozOWUwOTFhNS04ZDZhLTQ2ZWYtOWZhYS1hMWM0OGQ3YjlmN2Y=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Estupinan 7-10
What a signing the Ecuador international has proved to be. Improving all the time defensively and also willing to bomb forward. Controls the left flank. Replaced by Lamptey with suspected hamstring issue. Hopefully not serious, Albion's best player on the day Photo: Warren Little
![Tackled and tracked well in midfield. A disciplined performance and helped Albion dominate the play.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUxYjM4MWNmLTJjNWQtNDJjOC1hZjBiLTViYWFjYWVmYTcyMDpmZDhhYjZjZi1lMjU5LTRkYmMtYjUxZi01NDY5YjgyODBmMTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Caicedo 6-10
Tackled and tracked well in midfield. A disciplined performance and helped Albion dominate the play. Photo: Mike Hewitt
![Smacked an early volley straight at Leno. Missed a few chances against Palace last week and played in an advanced midfield role again. Improved as the game progressed.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUyMTRkZTYzLWQ2YzYtNGRkYy05NjNlLTkyNzJhN2JhOGY5NjpiNjJiYTFlNi1jMTY5LTQ4MGEtYTkyMS1jMWRhMGQ2NDk0YTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Mac Allister 6-10
Smacked an early volley straight at Leno. Missed a few chances against Palace last week and played in an advanced midfield role again. Improved as the game progressed. Photo: Steve Bardens
![Fired an effort wide in the opening exchanges. Missed a fine chance after the break and then had one ruled out for offside after Webster's downward header. Been excellent of late but an off day today.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjBiOGEyOWQ4LTQzOTAtNDg3Yy1iNjA3LTA1YTRkMDNkNjkyNzo4ZDNhMjM2NS1lNWRhLTQ5YzQtODg0YS0wMDA4YzE2ODViNWU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. March 5-10
Fired an effort wide in the opening exchanges. Missed a fine chance after the break and then had one ruled out for offside after Webster's downward header. Been excellent of late but an off day today. Photo: Warren Little