Substitute Rodrigo Muniz scored in the 96th minute to rescue a dramatic 1-1 draw for Fulham against Brighton & Hove Albion in their Premier League opener at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
The Brazilian striker fired home from close range following a Harry Wilson corner deep into stoppage time, cancelling out Matt O’Riley’s second-half penalty and denying the hosts an opening-day victory.
Brighton had taken a 55th-minute lead when O’Riley converted from the spot, sending his penalty into the bottom corner after new signing Georginio Rutter was brought down in the box by Fulham’s Sander Berge.
The hosts had chances to secure the win, with Kaoru Mitoma heading over before the opener, and both Lewis Dunk and Yasin Ayari going close after it. However, their inability to find a second goal left them vulnerable, and Muniz delivered the decisive blow with one of the final kicks of the game.
Fulham had their own appeals for a first-half penalty waved away, even after a VAR review, when teenage midfielder Josh King went down under a challenge from Jan Paul van Hecke.
The late goal denied Brighton what would have been a fifth consecutive victory on the Premier League’s opening weekend. The match also saw veteran midfielder James Milner, 39, come off the bench to make his 17th opening-day appearance, second only to Frank Lampard’s record of 18 in the competition’s history.
For Fulham, the equaliser was a reward for their persistence and a showcase for Muniz’s value. The striker, who has been linked with a move away from the club, has now scored more goals as a substitute (seven) than any other Premier League player since the start of last season.
His impact was particularly significant given manager Marco Silva’s recent comments describing the club’s summer transfer business as “passive” in its efforts to strengthen the squad.
What’s next?
Brighton travel to face Everton next weekend, while Fulham will host Manchester United.
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