João Pedro converted a stoppage-time penalty as Brighton ended their long wait for a Premier League victory over Fulham, securing a dramatic 2-1 win at the tenth attempt.

Albion appeared destined for further frustration against the Cottagers, having failed to beat them in nine previous league meetings. However, Pedro’s last-gasp spot-kick decided the contest between two European hopefuls, lifting Brighton to sixth place—just one point behind Manchester City in fourth.

Raúl Jiménez had earlier given Fulham the lead, only for Jan Paul van Hecke to equalise with a towering header before half-time.

Both sides entered the match on the back of gruelling FA Cup quarter-final ties that required extra time, and in Fulham’s case, penalties against Manchester United. Whether fatigue played a role was unclear, but the opening 30 minutes lacked intensity.

Yasin Ayari saw a shot deflected wide, while Yankuba Minteh’s effort was pushed around the post by Bernd Leno, who also gathered Pedro’s strike from the edge of the area. At the other end, Emile Smith Rowe went close, drilling a low shot through Van Hecke’s legs and narrowly wide.

Fulham eventually broke the deadlock in the 35th minute through a moment of brilliance from Alex Iwobi. The Nigerian outpaced Pervis Estupiñán and Ayari down the right flank before delivering a looping cross that evaded Van Hecke and found Jiménez.

The Mexican striker displayed superb control to chest the ball down before rifling a left-footed finish past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from a tight angle.

However, just six minutes later, Van Hecke atoned for his defensive lapse by restoring parity for the hosts. Left unmarked at the back post, the Dutch defender met Ayari’s free-kick with a powerful header, directing it across Leno and in off the opposite upright.

Brighton pressed for a winner after the interval, with Pedro playing a clever one-two with Georginio Rutter before firing into the side netting. Kaoru Mitoma, who passed a late fitness test following his early withdrawal at Newcastle, and Simon Adingra both had goals disallowed for offside as the Seagulls increased the pressure.

Manager Fabian Hürzeler introduced Danny Welbeck in search of a breakthrough, hoping the veteran forward could repeat his recent match-winning exploits. Having netted decisive goals in consecutive 2-1 victories, Welbeck had the chance to complete an unusual hat-trick but steered a close-range header from Pedro’s cross wide.

Just when it seemed Brighton’s wait for a win over Fulham would continue, the decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time. Pedro was brought down in the box by Harrison Reed, prompting referee Sam Barrott to award a penalty. The Brazilian kept his composure from the spot, sealing a long-awaited triumph for the Seagulls.