Match Report
Brighton (2) 5-0 (0) Fulham
Championship Match Day 42 1516 at Amex Stadium
Friday 15th April 2016 KO: 19:45
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)
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Tomer Hemed's first hat-trick in English football helped Brighton climb into the second automatic promotion spot in the Sky Bet Championship with a crushing 5-0 home victory over Fulham.
The Israeli striker scored twice in the first half, once from the penalty spot, while skipper Bruno hit the Seagulls' third goal shortly after the break.
Hemed completed his treble 10 minutes from time with French winger Antony Knockaert completing Albion's biggest win of the season.
Brighton, now assured of a place in the play-offs with four games remaining, are one point behind leaders Middlesbrough, who they visit on the last day.
Albion came through a rocky start with Fulham beginning confidently. Ross McCormack tried his luck in the ninth minute with a low shot, which was held by former Cottagers goalkeeper David Stockdale.
Former England midfielder Scott Parker, who scored his first goal in two years in Fulham's 2-1 win against Cardiff, was off target when breaking forward three minutes later.
Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli was nearly caught out when Israel international Beram Kayal delivered a deep cross to the far post - the stopper seemed slow to react before pushing the ball over the bar.
Albion centre-back Connor Goldson came to his side's rescue midway through the half with a clearing header after former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara sent a teasing cross to the near post.
| Match Stats |
Brighton |
Fulham |
| Goals |
(2) 5 |
0 (0) |
| |
| Scorers |
Hemed pen 29 |
xxxxxxxxxxxx |
| |
Hemed 34 |
|
| |
Bruno 54 |
|
| |
Hemed 79 |
|
| |
Knockaert 87 |
|
| |
| Goal attempts |
19 |
8 |
| On target |
11 |
3 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
58% |
38% |
| Possession |
42% |
58% |
| Passes |
411 |
568 |
| Pass Success |
80% |
83% |
| Crosses |
14 |
8 |
| Crosses Success |
21% |
38% |
| Corners |
8 |
3 |
| Tackles |
10 |
18 |
| Tackles Success |
60% |
78% |
| Saves |
3 |
5 |
| Fouls |
10 |
9 |
| Offsides |
2 |
1 |
| Yellows |
1 |
3 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: Soccernet/Fulham FC |
The Seagulls, unbeaten at the Amex Stadium since New Year's Day, went ahead on the half-hour mark when Hemed scored his 14th goal of the season thanks to a hotly-disputed penalty.
Manchester United loanee James Wilson, restored to the side along with Knockaert, had got the better of defender Richard Stearman and, although there was contact, appeared to go down easily in front of Fulham's 2,000 travelling fans.
Hemed stepped up to send keeper Bettinelli the wrong way and four minutes later was on target again to double Albion's lead by superbly heading in a free-kick from Knockaert from 10 yards.
Fulham, yet to keep a clean sheet away from home since head coach Slavisa Jokanovic took over in December, came under further pressure when centre-back Lewis Dunk forced Bettinelli to save, and the keeper later came out bravely to deny the onrushing Wilson.
Albion have not lost a Championship game this season after scoring the opening goal and effectively made this match safe nine minutes after the break when skipper Bruno scored his first of the season from close range.
Bettinelli was slow to come out when Czech Republic international Jiri Skalak delivered a corner to the far post, and Spaniard Bruno reacted quickly to fire a low left-footed shot into the net.
Stockdale kept himself on track for a 16th clean sheet of the season against his former club by palming away a goal-bound effort from substitute Lasse Vigen Christensen midway through the second half.
Hemed was initially denied his hat-trick when Wilson cleverly played him in only for Bettinelli to spread himself to make a save with his thigh.
Fulham threatened again when midfielder Emerson Hyndman let fly from the edge of the box and Stockdale tipped the ball over the bar.
But Hemed would complete his treble 10 minutes from time when he steered the ball home from 10 yards after Dale Stephens fizzed a shot into the area.
Winger Knockaert completed the rout three minutes from time by curling in rampant Albion's fifth following a pass by Kayal.
Brighton: Stockdale; Bruno, Goldson, Dunk, Rosenior; Knockaert, Stephens, Kayal, Skalak (Lua Lua 81'); Hemed (Sidwell 81'), Wilson (Murphy 83')
Unused substitutes: Mäenpää, Greer, Bong, Baldock
Scorers:
Hemed pen 29 (converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner. Penalty conceded by Richard Stearman after a foul in the penalty area.)
Hemed 34 (header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Anthony Knockaert following a set piece situation.)
Bruno 54 (left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jiri Skalak with a cross following a corner.)
Hemed 79 (right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.)
Knockaert 87 (left footed shot from the right side of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Beram Kayal.)
Booked: Hemed (37,f)
Fulham:Bettinelli; Fredericks, Stearman, Amorebieta (Woodrow 75'), Ream; Parker (Christensen 58'); Tunnicliffe, O'Hara (Baird 64'), Hyndman; McCormack, Dembele
Unused substitutes: Lonergan, Jazz Richards, Garbutt, Matt Smith
Booked: O'Hara (38,f), Fredericks (47,f), Christensen (74,f)
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire)
Attendance: 28,505