This was the sort of smash and grab success that is usually meted out to Fulham in the dying embers of the game so it was fantastic to see the Whites – who had somehow survived wave after wave of Brighton pressure at the AMEX – clinch all three points with a clever counter.

Bernd Leno: The German goalkeeper kept Fulham in the contest. Most of his first half interventions were routine, save for dashing off his line to prevent Brighton from profiting after Pascal GroB poked a ball through for Evan Ferguson, but he excelled himself after the interval. Leno blocked an effort from Solly March, made one magnificent point-blank reflex to deny Alexis Mac Allister and won a tackle well outside the area when blue and white shirts appeared to be converging on the Fulham goal. A precious clean sheet and one his finest performances since signing for the club. 9

Kenny Tete: The flying Fulham full back was beaten a couple of times early on by Brighton’s in-form Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma but recovered to win that critical individual battle over the course of the ninety minutes. Mitoma’s threat, largely from infield positions as the game went on, and the overlapping runs of Albion left back Percy Estupiñán, meant that we didn’t see much of Tete in the final third but this was a day for disciplined defending rather than adventure. 7

Antonee Robinson: The American international had a difficult start, but he wasn’t alone in that. Fulham rarely got out of their own half in the first twenty minutes and couldn’t keep the ball. Robinson misplaced a fair few passes and was put under unrelenting pressure by Solly March, but the improved the longer the game progressed. He got forward more effectively in the second half, leading a couple of lightning breaks down the left but his most important job was ensuring that Marco Silva’s side chiselled out another clean sheet. 7

Issa Diop: With every passing game, it seems more incredible that West Ham let Diop leave this summer. Plenty of people scoffed at Fulham paying £15m for the Frenchman, but given that he is a tall, physical, ball-playing centre back who fits Silva’s objectives for the back four – it seems like a bargain. Diop came through a sticky start to deliver another composed performance and his sliding tackle on Evan Ferguson with the visiting defence all out of position was one of a number of vital interventions. 7

Tim Ream: We’ll soon be running of superlatives for our ageless American who continues to amaze everyone at the heart of a miserly Fulham defence. His organisational skills were pivotal in turning 35% possession into three points on the south coast and he made at least one brilliant block from Joel Veltman. The skipper even played a part in the winning goal when his drilled clearance turned a Brighton attack into a Fulham counter and culminated with Manor Solomon stealing all three points. 8

Harrison Reed: The tigerish midfielder was below his very best but that probably had something to do with the hefty whack he took early on in proceedings. Reed battled on manfully and did eventually manage to disrupt Brighton’s passing patterns but this was a hard game to showcase the attributes that saw Silva tip him for the next England squad. Honest and full of endeavour, Reed kept running until the end. 7

Joao Palhinha: The Portuguese high prince of tackling was in his element here. Both he and Harrison Reed were initially swept along by the seriously high tempo start made by the Seagulls, but midway through the first half, Palhinha was able to begin to dictate things from a deeper midfield role. He gradually got to grips with the hosts engine room trio – including World Cup winner Alexis Mc Allister – something which only infuriated the former Supremo supremo. Palhinha also limited the effectiveness of Moises Caicedo and Pascal GroB. 7

Harry Wilson: The Welsh winger was a surprise inclusion in Marco Silva’s starting line-up given that Solomon had also struck decisively late on against Forest. Wilson did well to last more than an hour, having failed to provide too much cover for Kenny Tete on the right wing and barely having been able to get forward of his accord. Wilson played a routine clearance that would have given the Fulham rearguard respite, infield to a clutch of Albion players and Ream and Diop were required to mop up. 5

Willian: The Brazilian plays like a teenager rather than the 34 year-old veteran and he covered plenty of ground from the left wing from quite early on yesterday afternoon. Willian got through his share of his defensive work, protecting Robinson behind him, and regularly injected pace into Fulham’s own attacks. The fact that the winger was still running deep into stoppage time speaks volumes for his fitness. 7

Andreas Pereira: This wasn’t really an afternoon for flair players as the Whites had to grind out a gritty away win at the country’s form side. Pereira’s little flicks and tricks did offer an opportunity for Fulham to put more than three passes together but he failed to make the most of his chances to hurt Brighton having dropped into pockets of space behind Bobby Decordova-Reid. The pressing, which Pereira ussually relishes, appeared out of kilter – but the visitors remained difficult to play through. 5

Bobby Decordova-Reid: Once it became clear that Aleksandar Mitrovic would need to rest his troublesome hamstring if we want him to play from March, Silva had a straight choice between Bobby Decordova-Reid and Carlos Vinicius and opted for the Jamaican international for his work ethic. The Fulham head coach held his hands up afterwards, insisting Fulham’s woeful first half was entirely his fault, and Wilson survived until midway through the second half. Decordova-Reid’s desire to put a shift in for the side is commendable but he looked much more at home after being switched to the orthodox right wing role. 7

SUBSTITUTES:

Carlos Vinicius: The Brazilian has come in for pelters from some Fulham fans for his failure to deputise for Mitrovic consistently. I’d have thought his header to win the SW6 derby last month would have guaranteed folklore status for the former Tottenham forward, but plenty of the travelling support were castigating him for failing to get much chance out of Lewis Dunk. Vincius’ seizure of possession and spinning away from Joel Veltman was sublime enough, but his perfectly weighted pass gave Solomon the time to pick his spot perfectly. 7

Manor Solomon: A second successive match clinching super sub appearance from the lively little Israeli. He finished off a flowing Fulham move with a precise shot off his weaker foot – sparking scenes of absolute pandemonium in the away end. Silva suggested that Solomon might make a difference in the second half of the season and he came back to haunt Roberto de Zerbi by firing Fulham into sixth. Superb stuff. 8