Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic leads storming comeback to stun Brighton

Fulham 4-2 Brighton: Claudio Ranieri’s side earned a vital three points with a stirring display

(Getty Images)

Aleksandar Mitrovic inspired Fulham’s dramatic recovery after Claudio Ranieri’s relegation-threatened side recovered from a two-goal half-time deficit to secure a victory that will fuel belief they can survive in the Premier League.

In desperate trouble having fallen behind to two early Glenn Murray goals, Fulham produced an outstanding response with their fight-back kick-started by Calum Chambers valley two minutes after the break before two Mitrovic headers put the home side in front.

Luciano Vietto added a fourth to cap a remarkable comeback that left Brighton overwhelmed.

Fulham will need many more performances like this if they are to survive, but Ranieri will justifiably believe this is a significant step in the right direction.

Ranieri had insisted before the game that he is a “positive man’. It’s hard to belief, however, that the Italian felt that way after watching his side’s dismal start to this game.

Glenn Murray celebrates his early opener (Getty Images)

In desperate need of points to breathe new life into their battle against relegation Fulham were anxious to build on some of the positive aspects of their performance in the narrow defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Instead, they found themselves trailing inside three minutes, having seen an already difficult test against Chris Hughton’s well organised Brighton side side having become even more challenging.

The initial signs were more promising with the Cottagers forcing a corner after little more than a minute and had Maxime Le Marchand directed his header more accurately, Ranieri’s men might have found themselves in early control of the game. Instead, they were exposed as Brighton responded immediately to force the opening goal that should have been prevented.

Murray doubles Brighton's first-half lead (PA)

A positive run from Brighton right-back Martin Montoya allowed the defender to whip in a cross towards the near post where Murray demonstrated his experience in getting ahead of the inattentive Le Marchand to volley the ball past Sergio Rico.

Worse was to come for Fulham as they seemed unable to establish a foothold in the game against a Brighton side who were understandably lifted by that start. A second goal was always likely and it came in the 17th minute when another defensive lapse was punished ruthlessly by the visitors.

This time it was Solly March who delivered the cross from the right but the danger would have been snuffed out had Denis Odoi been able to make a clean contact with his attempted clearance. Instead, the defender sliced the ball towards the edge of the box towards Pascal Gross who returned it into six-yard box where Murray stabbed home for the second.

Calum Chambers fires Fulham back into the game (Action Images via Reuters)

Ranieri decided action was required and he replaced defender Tom Ream with midfielder Tom Cairney after just 27 minutes, switching to a back four. The change gave Fulham more presence in midfield and they finally tested Brighton keeper Mat Ryan – just returned from the Asian Cup with Australia – in the 32nd minute when Ryan Babel almost directed a shot inside the post.

Babel was again involved six minutes later when he crossed for Schurrle whose volley appeared destined for goal until Albion centre-back Shane Duffy cleared off the line.

Brighton, though, could have ended the contest shortly before half-time when Davy Propper struck the bar and the boos from home supporters that greeted the half-time whistle summed up Fulham’s first half display.

The Cottagers needed an early response and, with Luciano Vietto on for Schurrle, they immediately looked more purposeful. Brighton found themselves pushed backwards and Fulham were quickly rewarded when Chambers latched on to Duffy’s headed clearance to volley past Ryan from the edge of the area.

Mitrovic gets his second of the night to put Fulham in front (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Mitrovic then twice bullied the Brighton defence to put Fulham ahead before Vietto wrapped things up.

Fulham (3-4-3): Rico 6; Odoi 5, Le Marchand 5, Ream 5 (Cairney 27); Christie 6, Seri 7, Chambers 7, Bryan 6 (Sessegnon 74,6); Schurrle 5 (Vietto 46,6), Mitrovic 9, Babel 7. Substitutes not used: Bettinelli, Kebano, Ayite, Cisse.

Brighton (4-3-3): Ryan 7; Montoya 6, Duffy 6, Dunk 5, Bong 6; Gross 5 (Andone 74,6), Stephens 6, Propper 6; March 5, Murray 7, Locadia 6 (Knockaert 71). Substitutes not used: Button, Saltor, Kayal, Bissouma, Burn.

Referee: L Probert 6