For most of opening day, this felt like the ideal launch: structure, field position, a midfield in command and a deserved lead from Matt O’Riley’s calm penalty. Then, in the 96th minute, a single set-piece slipped through the cracks and Rodrigo Muniz snatched Fulham a draw that scarcely reflected Brighton’s broader control.

There was plenty to like. Carlos Baleba orchestrated with poise, Yankuba Minteh stretched the game with pace, and the new combinations around Georginio Rutter teased at fluency. The missing piece was the second goal — the cushion that would have turned a good performance into three points.

A fast start and the signs of a new attacking shape

Early, the Seagulls had the ball in the net when Minteh finished Baleba’s burst down the right, only for the assistant to flag that the ball had gone out before the cut-back. No matter — the pattern was set: Brighton pressing high, recovering quickly and funnelling attacks through O’Riley’s deliveries and Mitoma’s runs.

Mitoma’s best look came from O’Riley’s wicked cross, the header flashing over. Even when that didn’t land, the rotations worked: full-backs pushed on cue, Rutter roamed into pockets, and Fulham were largely kept at arm’s length.

O’Riley’s composure from the spot and the midfield platform behind it

The lead arrived on 55 minutes. Rutter’s shimmy drew Sander Berge into an untidy clip and O’Riley did the rest, sending Bernd Leno the wrong way with a low, clinical finish. A goal forged by pressure and patience rather than chaos.

Behind that, Baleba was excellent. He broke play, sprang counters and gave the centre-backs an easy out. When he departed late on, Brighton lost a shade of control in second balls — a small shift that mattered as the game tilted to set-pieces.

Chances to kill it go begging as ruthlessness proves the difference

The sequences were there. Mitoma burst clear and teed up Minteh, who lashed over from a prime lane. Lewis Dunk’s header brushed the side-netting. Yasin Ayari dragged inches wide with Leno rooted. Any one of them changes the conversation.

From the bench, Diego Gómez nearly forced a mistake with a piledriver Leno juggled before recovering, and Brajan Gruda found himself clean through but hesitated between squaring and shooting. The performances created the platform; the finish deserted at the last beat.

Game management in the closing stages — one set-piece too many

James Milner’s late introduction added composure for the run-in, but as Fulham threw on fresh legs, the visitors leaned into territory and dead balls. Kenny Tete’s 95th-minute volley wide was the flare. The next corner wasn’t defended with the same certainty shown in open play.

Harry Wilson’s delivery skipped beyond the near post, Muniz peeled to the back stick, cushioned on his chest and drove across Bart Verbruggen. A single breakdown in detail turned three points into one.

Positives to bank — and the clear next step

There was identity all over this: Baleba’s command, Minteh’s menace, O’Riley taking responsibility, the press functioning with coherence. Opening day sharpness in the box, especially on the break, is the fix — not the framework that created the looks.

With Everton away next before a Carabao Cup trip to Oxford, the template travels. Turn one of those transition chances into the clincher and manage late set-pieces with the same focus as open play, and this performance reads like a comfortable win rather than a lesson.

Players and moments — reasons for optimism

Baleba looked every inch the fulcrum until fatigue. Minteh led Brighton in touches inside the box and stretched Fulham repeatedly. O’Riley’s penalty and delivery hinted at end product that will add up quickly.

Yes, Muniz punctured the mood, but the balance of play was right. Keep the detail; sharpen the finish. If opening day is a compass, Brighton are pointing the right way.