Craven Cottage Revisited
Fulham secured promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs, which means Brighton & Hove Albion will visit Craven Cottage in the top flight next season. The Seagulls are no strangers to Craven Cottage, having won on each of their previous three visits, and Chris Hughton’s team will be looking to strengthen that record during the 2018/19 campaign. With Nathan Jones in temporary charge in 2014, following Sami Hyypia’s departure, the Seagulls, who sat near the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship, made the trip to south-west London. Albion were without a victory in seven matches, having only won a single away match all season, but Jones masterminded an impressive 2-0 win over the Cottagers after Christmas. Adrian Colunga slotted home from the penalty spot, before Solly March scored his first Championship goal for the club in the closing stages - which sent the Albion supporters behind the goal into raptures. In the opening month of the following campaign - now with Hughton in charge - the Seagulls visited Craven Cottage for their second game of the season. Sam Baldock opened the scoring in the 30th minute, before Tom Cairney responded for the hosts, but there was late drama in front of the away end, as Albion were awarded a penalty. Tomer Hemed stepped up in the 94th minute to roll the ball into the bottom corner and seal all three points for Hughton’s men - again causing elation in the packed away end at Craven Cottage. The Seagulls took a 17-game unbeaten run in the league to Craven Cottage the following season - however Hughton’s men remained behind leaders Newcastle United in the league table. The hosts made a confident start to the game and were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute, but David Stockdale made a heroic save to keep out Stefan Johansen’s spot-kick. Despite Stockdale’s important save, the Seagulls found themselves behind in the 55th minute when Lucas Piazon fired home for the Cottagers, which put Albion’s unbeaten run under threat. But then came a crazy two-minute spell which flipped the game on its head, as Hemed scored from the penalty spot and Lewis Dunk charged up field to head home after a stunning Albion break. It was the second time the Seagulls had come from a goal down to win against Fulham during the 2016/17 campaign, and the away victory was another crucial moment in the club’s quest for promotion.