Ismaila Sarr netted the decisive goal as Crystal Palace snapped a nine-match winless streak in the Premier League with a hard-fought victory over rivals Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
The match seemed destined for a boring goalless draw until Sarr, receiving a pass from second-half substitute Evann Guessand, expertly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to break the deadlock with Palace’s first shot on target.
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As expected, both sides’ lack of form contributed to a first half that offered little in terms of quality or creativity. Brighton’s full-back Maxim de Cuyper managed the only effort on target before halftime with a weak strike from the edge of the area.
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk threatened with a header that sailed over the bar from a Pascal Gross corner, then missed the target again from another delivery by Gross a quarter of an hour later.
Oliver Glasner’s Palace improved towards the end of the first half, but Adam Wharton shot wide from the edge of the area, and Sarr skied an effort under pressure from Dunk.
Chances remained scarce until shortly after the hour mark, when Sarr scored his 10th goal of the season, finding the net against Verbruggen.
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Teenage Brighton forward Charalampos Kostoulas was thwarted by Dean Henderson soon after Sarr’s goal, but there was no comeback for Fabian Hurzeler’s team, who haven’t secured a league win since defeating Burnley on January 3.
Crystal Palace Analysis: Hard-fought Win Relieves Pressure on Glasner
In stark contrast to last season’s impressive FA Cup triumph, the past couple of months have been challenging for Palace.
They had not won since their Conference League victory against Shelbourne on December 11, a time when they were still among the Premier League’s top four.
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Sunday’s gritty win over their rivals will help alleviate some of the pressure mounting on Glasner, who is considering leaving at the end of the season.
Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was expected to leave for AC Milan, missed the game due to a knee injury that derailed the transfer. His absence meant Jorgen Strand Larsen made his full debut on the south coast. Although the former Wolves player struggled in the first half, he nearly scored when he deflected a clearance from Carlos Baleba inside the Brighton penalty area.
Strand Larsen had a strong shot saved by Verbruggen as Palace aimed to double their lead late in the second half.
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It was Guessand, on loan from Aston Villa, who provided the crucial assist, threading a perfectly timed pass through for Sarr’s decisive goal.
This narrow victory propels the Eagles above their rivals, collecting 32 points and leading by nine from the relegation zone.
Brighton Analysis: Fans Express Discontent with Hurzeler
Brighton fans made their feelings known once again after their previous home draw against Everton, directing their frustration at manager Hurzeler at the end of Sunday’s match.
The final whistle was met with boos from the home crowd, along with chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing” aimed at the 32-year-old manager as he exited the pitch.
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Brighton appeared marginally better in the opening half hour, but De Cuyper’s low shot, easily caught by Henderson, was their sole effort against a Palace team struggling for confidence.
Henderson also made a good save from Kostoulas’ low drive following Sarr’s opener, but the home team failed to respond effectively, fading as the match progressed.
Brighton’s 2-0 win over Burnley last month remains their only victory in their last 12 league outings, with only Burnley and Wolves collecting fewer points during that stretch.
There was no late appearance for Brighton substitute James Milner, who would have equaled Gareth Barry’s record for the most appearances in Premier League history. However, teenage winger Harry Howell did make his first senior start, becoming the youngest player to start a top-flight match for Brighton at 17 years and 294 days.
What’s Next for These Teams?
Both teams return to Premier League action on Wednesday, February 11 (19:30 GMT). Brighton will face third-placed Aston Villa, while Palace will host Burnley at Selhurst Park.