Zoe Wilkinson runs the rule over Fulham’s opening day displays as the Whites nick a last-gasp leveller on the south coast

Bernd Leno: The German goalkeeper, who captained the Whites this afternoon, didn’t have an awful lot to do. He had little chance with Matt O’Riley’s calmly-converted penalty and made three other rather routine saves before Fulham were bailed out by Rodrigo Muniz’s last-gasp leveller. Leno alternated between playing the ball out from the back and kicking it long as Marco Silva’s side sought a route back in the contest in the second half – and his big presence between the sticks probably helped hinder Albion’s forwards as they passed up late chances to double the lead. 6

Kenny Tete: The Dutch right back looked as though he might have been on his way to Everton on one point in the summer but opted to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage. Tete did well against Karou Mitoma with a disciplined defensive performance – barring one moment where he got caught underneath the flight of an O’Riley chip towards the far post. He turned defence into attack terrifically with one flick followed by a raking ball for Raul Jimenez in the first half and kept pushing forward throughout. 7

Calvin Bassey: The Nigerian international was pressed into service as a makeshift left back in the absence of Antonee Robinson and Ryan Sessegnon. Bassey did look as if he was going to struggle against Yakuba Minteh initially and was booked for a bodycheck on the half way as Brighton looked to break, but recovered well and warmed to his task the longer the game went on. This was a typically whole-hearted display, until he moved back into his more natural centre halve position with four minutes of normal time remaining. 7

Joachim Andersen: The Dane did well against Georgino Rutter and the rest of the Albion forward line for much of the afternoon, winning countless headers and organising the back line impressively. Andersen looked assured at the heart of the Fulham defence and utilised possession perceptive, including one trademark diagonal switch of play in the first period. 6

Jorge Cuenca: The Spaniard acquitted himself encouragingly again alongside Andersen in the middle of Marco Silva’s back four. He progressed the ball intelligently and made one superb sliding tackle as Albion sought to break through the centre of the field in the second half. Silva asserted over the summer that Cuenca is one of four excellent Fulham central defenders – and his composed display proved that. He was replaced by Timothy Castagne with seven minutes of normal time remaining. 6

Sander Berge: Not the Norwegian’s finest afternoon. He looked hurried in possession and was eclipsed by the excellence of Carlos Baleba in the Brighton midfield before the clumsy – and unnecessary attempt to challenge Rutter in the penalty area that gave away the spot kick. Berge was then replaced by club captain Tom Cairney midway through the second half as Silva sought a way back into the match. 5

Sasa Lukic: The Serbian worked hard in the Fulham engine room, covering plenty of ground and putting his foot in to the win the ball back on occasion – but struggled to impose himself on proceedings. Lukic looked neat and tidy and always offered himself for the man in possession even if this wasn’t one of his most authoritative afternoons. 6

Harry Wilson: The Welsh wizard struggled to get into the contest. He ventured in field from the right flank for most of the first half as Fulham failed to get him into the game much, missing a good headed opportunity just before half time. The attacking axis that he normally forms with Kenny Tete never really materialised this afternoon and Wilson struggled even after being switched into the number ten role once Josh King had been taken off. 6

Alex Iwobi: The Nigerian got through plenty of work in his 66 minutes on the field, whether it be in a more defensively disciplined role offering cover to his compatriot Bassey at left back, or in driving Fulham further up the field. It wasn’t either man’s fault that Fulham’s left flank lacked the dynamism that is usually there with either Robinson or Sessegnon in the side and Brighton worked hard to keep the pair occupied. 6

Josh King: The talented teenager was Fulham’s most complete performer on another afternoon that will have the pundits purring about the playmaker’s potential. It was clear to see why the Whites were so keen to tie down the Wimbledon wonderkid to a long-term contract at Craven Cottage. Brighton were scared when King ran at them with the ball and on another day he might have won a penalty or scored himself having been played into promising positions on three occasions by Iwobi. Silva was right to highlight how Albion resorted to roughouse tactics pretty early on – and the England youth international will be stronger as a result. King’s fearlessness remains his best quality and the youngster completely deserved the standing ovation he got from the away fans when he was replaced with thirteen minutes remaining. 8

Raul Jimenez: The Mexican veteran worked hard against Lewis Dunk and Jean-Paul van Hecke without much reward. He had one sight of goal early in the first period and became visibly frustrated with referee Sam Barrott for failing to penalise the physicality of the Brighton backline, but this also was an afternoon where the former Wolves forward was largely starved of the sort of service he thrives upon. 6

Substitutes:

Tom Cairney: The skipper offered a different option to Sander Berge in the middle of the park, but was often too deep to play those telling passes. Distributed the ball effectively and dictated play well – but the Whites will need to try and get Cairney in possession higher up the pitch to hurt Premier League defences. 6

Adama Traore: Made a couple of promising runs with the ball at his feet but, surprisingly for the side who put in the most crosses in the top flight last season, the Spanish speedster’s best strengths were arguably ignored for most of the time he was on the field. 5

Rodrigo Muniz: What more is there to say about the brilliant Brazilian? If he has indeed spent the past fortnight hankering after that move to Bergamo, then Muniz deserves real credit for not sulking and coming on to rescue a point with virtually the very last kick. He hadn’t had a lot fall his way until that last-gasp Harry Wilson corner dropped kindly at the far post, but Muniz, who has now equalled Collins John’s record of seven top-flight goals as a substitute, never looked like missing. The passionate celebration in front of the visiting fans underlined that he’ll give his all for the club regardless of where he might want to be playing. 8

Emile Smith Rowe: Silva caused consternation in the away end for taking a tiring King out of the firing line with thirteen minutes to go. It might be a sign of where the former Arsenal midfielder is at that he comes on for an academy prospect late on and Smith Rowe struggled to take the game by the scruff of the neck as time ticked away, but he came the closest anyone had to conjuring up an equaliser with his late run and deflected shot that won the corner from which Muniz produced his magic. 7