Rodrigo Muniz on target again as Fulham brush aside Brighton
Rodrigo Muniz was on the scoresheet again as Fulham claimed an impressive 3-0 win over Brighton at Craven Cottage.
The Brazilian forward claimed his fifth Premier League goal in his last five matches after Harry Wilson’s long-range effort put the Cottagers’ ahead.
Adama Traore came off the bench to score in second half added time.
Fulham registered their first back-to-back league wins since December after their 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The hosts kept the momentum from last week’s victory and started the better of the two teams.
After Harrison Reed’s bursting run forced a yellow card from Carlos Baleba, the stand-in skipper tested Jason Steele from inside the area, getting on the end of a free-kick.
Fulham’s early pressure was rewarded in the 21st minute when they took the lead. The inform Muniz hustled Lewis Dunk in the air, knocking the ball down into the path of Wilson who curled his effort into the top left-hand corner.
Brighton searched for a way back into the game and missed two quickfire chances to equalise.
After Adam Lallana’s long-range strike whistled past Bernd Leno’s post, Julio Enciso showed intricate skill to beat his marker before the Seagulls midfielder’s shot failed to hit the target.
The Cottagers on the other hand did not have to be asked twice in front of goal as they scored again to double their lead.
Wilson, who had been untouchable up to this point, repaid Muniz’s earlier favour, curling the ball onto the head of his team-mate who nodded home to continue his stunning scoring form.
Fulham continued to impress in the second half through the electric partnership of Wilson and Muniz.
Wilson initially dragged his one-on-one wide of Steele’s left-hand post but was given another opportunity to score.
Muniz showed strength to hold off the defender, drove into the box and found Wilson who was dispossessed by Dunk’s last-ditch effort to keep the score at 2-0.
Evan Ferguson had a golden chance to score from inside the six-yard box but the forward poked his effort wide in a move which summed up the visitors’ lacklustre display.
Fulham allowed Roberto De Zerbi’s men possession as they began to shut up shop. Pervis Estupinan was unleashed down the left, whipping a dangerous ball to the rising Baleba whose header ballooned over the bar before he was substituted minutes later.
Traore was played through and buried his effort to give Fulham a third during four added minutes.