Socks rolled down and with seaside rain dripping from every limb, Joao Palhinha did more than simply score the equaliser which continued Fulham’s remarkable recent record against Brighton.
The Portugal midfielder exemplified the streetwise edge that has been added to Fulham flair under Marco Silva.
Harrying for 90 minutes, placing his body in the way of passes that usually split open opposing defences at the Amex Stadium and driving on a succession of midfield team-mates to salvage an unlikely point, there was only fault in Palhinha’s play from the Fulham perspective. He continues to attract more suitors by the game.
The 28-year-old travelled to Munich and even had photos taken in Bayern colours before his move to the Bundesliga champions was aborted on transfer deadline day because of Fulham’s inability to sign a replacement.
Rather than sulk over broken dreams upon his return to Craven Cottage, Palhinha has instead become the beating heart of Silva’s side.
That attitude alone will have increased his worth in the eyes of clubs looking to sign him, in spite of the recent new contract he signed with Fulham.
Yet, while they have him, Fulham continue to make light of supposed second-season syndrome and the departure of prolific striker Aleksandr Mitrovic.
Fulham manager Marco Silva said: “Joao leads by the attitude he shows. The way he leads by his commitment, the way he lifts the others around him as well is something that is not easy to find in football.
“He is not the most vocal guy. I want him to be more vocal and to improve his English. That position is very important to lead the guys in front of you with communication. I want to see Joao doing this more.”
Fulham have not lost to Brighton in seven Premier League meetings and recovered from a goal down with a display full of tenacity and disruptive determination.
Whether it was time-wasting or tetchy confrontations, the visitors did whatever was necessary to disrupt Brighton’s usual flow in a pugnacious second half.
Their equaliser was a case in point with Pascal Gross pressured into a stray pass towards Carlos Baleba that was seized upon by Alex Iwobi and fed to Palhinha. His measured shot clipped just inside the post.
Fulham might even have won the game with an audacious back-heel flick from substitute Rodrigo Muniz kept out by Brighton keeper Jason Steele.
That would have been cruel on the home side whose measured first-half display typified their approach under Roberto De Zerbi.
Baleba was always prepared to take a shot, albeit with distinctly varying degrees of accuracy.
As Brighton settled into their insistent rhythm, it was his midfield partner Mahmoud Dahoud who stood out with his reading of the game and vision to play the right pass at the opportune moment. He released Kaoru Mitoma who dragged his shot wide of the far post.
A post-shower rainbow briefly emerged over the Amex Stadium midway through the first half. Moments later, following a determined run by Igor Julio and a slipped pass from Gross, Evan Ferguson provided the crock of gold with the calmest of side-foot finishes, stroking the ball into the bottom corner to give Brighton the lead.
They would have established a surely unassailable 2-0 lead early in the second half had a Lewis Dunk free-kick dipped fractionally quicker instead of landing on the top of the Fulham crossbar.
De Zerbi said: “I am really frustrated and disappointed about the result. I think we played a great game, a fantastic first half when we could have scored more goals.”
