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Andrew Raeburn at West London Sport |
Brighton (2) 5-0 (0) Fulham
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Having started the game well, Fulham fell behind to a controversial penalty, converted by Tomer Hemed, who doubled the lead five minutes later.
Poor defending from a set-piece allowed Bruno to make it 3-0 early in the second half, and Hemed completed his hat-trick when he turned in a deflected shot from Dale Stephens.
Anthony Knockaert completed the rout late on with a terrific curling shot.
Former Whites keeper David Stockdale kept a clean sheet against his old club, the first time Fulham have failed to score since a defeat by Middlesbrough in February.
Frustratingly for Fulham they had been the better side in the first 25 minutes, but third-placed Brighton, who had not got going, went in front against the run of play from a harshly awarded penalty.
Manchester United loanee James Wilson tumbled under pressure from Richard Stearman and Hemed coolly converted the penalty.
The Israeli was on target again five minutes later, stretching his neck muscles to guide a Knockaert free-kick beyond Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli.
Brighton scored their third nine minutes after the break. A deep corner was controlled by Bruno and he slid in ahead of Bettinelli to prod home.
Fulham did have their chances. Ross McCormack drove over when well placed, Lasse Vigen Christensen was denied by a superb save from Stockdale, who also tipped over an effort from Emerson Hyndman.
But Brighton underlined their potency when Hemed – who Fulham felt was offside – slotted in after Stephens’ shot was deflected into his path.
And Knockaert capped a superb individual display with the goal of the night, curling in from the edge of the box.
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