Report and reaction after Albion beat Fulham with stoppage-time goal

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Joao Pedro keeps his cool to convert from the penalty spot as Albion come from behind to beat Fulham 2-1.

Bruce Talbot

2025-03-08T17:00+00:00

Sliding in: Jan Paul van Hecke celebrates in fron of the East Stand after scoring Albion's leveller. 📷 James Boardman

Joao Pedro was the coolest man at the Amex, scoring a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time to earn Albion a deserved 2-1 win over Fulham - our first in ten tries against the Whites.

It looked like being a frustrating afternoon for Albion, who had dominated the second half. Two goals were disallowed for offside and Joao and Danny Welbeck both went close, but deep into stoppage time Joao – for whom no cause is ever lost – won the ball on the byline and was sent tumbling by Harrison Reed’s challenge. After the protests subsided, Joao’s powerful penalty flew past Bernd Leno's left hand.

Joao Pedro is mobbed by his teammates - and the North Stand - after his stoppage-time penalty seals a dramatic 2-1 win. 📷 Simon Roe.

It was Albion’s sixth successive win in all competitions – enough to lift them up to sixth in the table. Judging by the celebrations at the end the fans knew just how season-defining it could be. It certainly sets up next Saturday's trip to fifth placed Manchester City nicely.

Jan Paul van Hecke’s first goal in his 83rd Albion appearance had drawn the Seagulls level in the 40th minute after Raul Jiminez put Fulham in front.

Joao Pedro's penalty has too much power for Bernd Leno. 📷 Simon Roe.

It was soon apparent that a compact, organised Fulham team would take some breaking down but in the opening half-hour Leno was the busier keeper, denying Yankuba Minteh and Joao.

The visitors hadn’t threatened seriously before the 35th minute when they went in front. Alex Iwobi, a menace to Albion in the past, surged down the right and his cross was misjudged in the swirling wind by van Hecke. Jiminez was waiting to pounce and fired left-footed past Bart Verbruggen from close range.

Yasin Ayari at full stretch in an often congested midfield battle. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

It didn’t take long for van Hecke to redeem himself when he guided a fine header from Yasin Ayari’s free kick in off the far post from ten yards.

Albion took control after the break. Joao threatened again five minutes into the second half after exchanging passes with Georginio Rutter but, off balance, he fired wide of the far post. Kaoru Mitoma then tapped home but Minteh had been offside when he supplied the cross.

Jan Paul van Hecke guides his header past Bernd Leno to equalise for Albion. 📷 James Boardman

Mitoma got a standing ovation for tracking back to his own line and dispossessing Iwobi but Albion pressed for the winner. Welbeck’s close-range header drifted wide from Joao’s pick-out and Simon Adingra came off the bench to beat Leno with his first touch but he’d strayed offside latching onto Adam Webster’s great long ball. It looked like being one of those days... but Albion’s brilliant Brazilian had other ideas.

The line-up

Verbruggen, Hinshelwood, Webster ©, van Hecke, Estupinan, Minteh (March 76), Baleba (Wieffer 86), Ayari (Gomez 69), Mitoma (Adingra 86), Rutter (Welbeck 76), Joao Pedro.

Subs not used: Rushworth, Cashin, Slater, Knight.

Referee: S. Barrott

Attendance: 31584

Fabian Hurzeler's thoughts...

08 Fabian Hurzeler watches from the technical area

His emotions at full-time... "Sometimes it’s difficult to describe… there are so many emotions in a moment like that. We were very patient at the end of the game, we didn’t force it, we always believed in ourselves and I think we deserved to win. I am so proud of the guys.

"It helps if you are a fit team because you can play with a high intensity for 90 minutes or more. You can stay focussed and make the right decisions. I wouldn’t say it was the key in this game but fit teams help win games."

On JP's goal... "I am happy for JP and my set-piece coach. They work hard to create ideas and put a lot of effort into these situations."

On the future... "Every game is a learning experience for me and the team. We always reflect on the games so we make the right decisions to continue our journey.

"We are a group who are together and did the basic things right. When you do that you can get results in the Premier League. The fans may be dreaming, but we will keep on working!"