There is a certain irony that Fulham spent January searching the transfer market for a goalscorer, only to find they had one at home the whole time.
Rodrigo Muniz began his goalscoring run away at Burnley two days after the window closed, and continued it emphatically here to help Fulham to an impressive victory.
The 22-year-old’s industry created Harry Wilson’s opener, his instinct to fire in a bullet header was to thank for the second as he made it five goals in five. A remarkable figure considering he hadn’t scored all season before February.
‘He was great. He’s getting better and better,’ said Silva. ‘He’s strong and so difficult to deal with. His link-up play against a press like Brighton’s was so important. He’s a happy boy and there’s much more to come.’
Rodrigo Muniz (right) scored his fifth goal in five games in Fulham’s 3-0 win over Brighton
Wilson’s cross was headed home by Muniz as the forward bagged his fifth goal in six games
Indeed, Muniz had the beating in the air of Brighton’s Adam Webster before he teed up Harry Wilson’s superb, curled opener. They swapped roles for the second, Wilson placing an inch-perfect cross on to Muniz’s head to cap off a team move, much to Silva’s delight.
‘The second is almost a perfect team goal,’ raved the manager. ‘The way we built was almost perfect. It’s something we prepared for, to see it happen was a great feeling.’
Perhaps Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi could be forgiven for having one eye on Thursday’s trip to Roma, their first-ever European knockout tie. He made nine changes here, leaving the league’s top assist maker Pascal Gross on the bench, and it was evident in a flat performance.
De Zerbi acknowledged as much, while conceding his squad were lacking in energy to compete with Fulham.
‘Thursday is historic for us, we are not a big, big club,’ he said. ‘We didn’t play with the energy you need in the Premier League. You cannot win with 60 per cent.’
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