A wasteful Brighton & Hove Albion were condemned to their first Premier League home defeat of the season as Crystal Palace triumphed 3-1 at the Amex in the so-called M23 derby.
Fabian Hurzeler's men pinned their rivals back from the first whistle, but the story of their futile forays forward was right idea, wrong execution, and they were soon taught a lesson in attacking ruthlessness by two of Oliver Glasner's soaring Eagles.
Trevoh Chalobah and Ismaila Sarr both capitalised on the hosts' aerial failings to put Palace 2-0 up in the first half, and a few boos from the home crowd were audible at half time after their side shipped multiple goals for the 10th time in 14 matches.
A Dean Henderson and Maxence Lacroix-inspired backline withstood intense Brighton pressure at the start of the second half, and the scintillating Sarr put the result beyond any doubt after an error of judgement from Lewis Dunk, meaning that Marc Guehi's unfortunate late own goal was inconsequential.
Now unbeaten in five straight Premier League matches, a resurgent Palace side have launched themselves into 15th place in the table - now four points clear of the relegation zone - while Brighton sit ninth but are still on the coat-tails of the European places.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
As pitiful as Crystal Palace's start to the season was, the talent in Glasner's ranks made it impossible to envisage the Eagles continuing on their downward spiral for the entire season, even if Michael Olise is no longer up to his old tricks in a Palace kit.
However, the electric Sarr did his utmost to prove that he can fill Olise's boots at the Amex Stadium, terrorising the Brighton backline all afternoon as Palace won back-to-back away Premier League games for the first time since April 2023.
Palace are nowhere near out of the relegation woods, but things are starting to look a little rosier for the capital outfit ahead of the New Year, which is more than can be said for Hurzeler's wasteful Brighton.
Sunday's hosts did not do a lot wrong in their build-up sequences, but the final pass or final shot was always substandard, and two of Palace's goals coming from crosses may also concern the Brighton boss.
Two points from 12 on offer is certainly not European-worthy form from Brighton, who may very well point to their injury-hit ranks as a factor in their derby defeat, but their expansive and front-footed style of play is trivial if they cannot finish their chances when they come.
BRIGHTON VS. CRYSTAL PALACE HIGHLIGHTS
Trevoh Chalobah goal vs. Brighton (27th min, Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace)
Trevoh Chalobah puts Crystal Palace in front at the Amex! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/xNROLoqQGl
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2024
A lesson in how not to defend set pieces from Brighton & Hove Albion!
Will Hughes's inswinging corner to the near post causes chaos in the Seagulls box, and after a couple of ricochets, the ball falls into the path of Chalobah, who lashes home into the roof of the net from a couple of yards out.
The VAR room briefly checked to see whether the ball deflected off of Sarr's hand, but there is no reprieve for the hosts, who fall behind against the run of play but did not deal with Hughes's corner whatsoever.
Ismaila Sarr goal vs. Brighton (33rd min, Brighton 0-2 Crystal Palace)
Tyrick Mitchell swings it in for Ismaila Sarr and Crystal Palace DOUBLE their lead in the derby! 😳🦅 pic.twitter.com/OhfJIXo6Sa
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2024
Another cross, another goal! Lacroix's wonderful cross-field ball finds Mitchell, who benefits from Tariq Lamptey misjudging the flight of the pass and falling on his backside to enjoy the freedom of the left-hand side.
Mitchell whips in a wonderful cross to the back post, which Bart Verbruggen decides against claiming, and Sarr burns Dunk for pace before heading home a quickfire second into the far corner.
Ismaila Sarr goal vs. Brighton (82nd min, Brighton 0-3 Crystal Palace)
"Sarr puts the seal on a glorious afternoon for Crystal Palace!" 😍🦅 pic.twitter.com/rrhCjCnc7b
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2024
Game. Set. Sarr. The best player on the pitch surely puts the visitors out of sight, and Dunk will not want to see this one back!
The Brighton captain should comfortably deal with Eddie Nketiah's knock down, but he delays and allows Sarr to nick in, before the Senegalese winger coolly finishes into the bottom corner while one-on-one with Verbruggen.
Marc Guehi own goal vs. Palace (87th min, Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace)
Brighton pull one back with 86 minutes on the clock after a goal line scramble! pic.twitter.com/Agc8rXCYvA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2024
A goal even scrappier than the first, Lacroix tries to whack a corner clear after Henderson fails to deal with it, but the Frenchman's hoof hits an unawares Guehi and trickles over the line.
A minor blot on an otherwise perfect Crystal Palace afternoon.
MAN OF THE MATCH - ISMAILA SARR
© Imago
Henderson, Chalobah and Lacroix in particular earned their keep in Crystal Palace's defensive third, but Sarr altered the course of the contest at the other end of the field and departs having been directly involved in all three goals.
The winger may not have known much about his 'assist', but he timed his run to the back stick brilliantly to meet Mitchell's cross and showcased the sort of ruthlessness that Brighton lacked all afternoon to complete his brace.
Also contributing to the defensive effort with two tackles, two blocks and two aerial duels won, Sarr may not have a finer performance in a Palace shirt all season.
BRIGHTON VS. CRYSTAL PALACE MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton 65%-35% Crystal Palace
Shots: Brighton 17-13 Crystal Palace
Shots on target: Brighton 5-5 Crystal Palace
Corners: Brighton 8-5 Crystal Palace
Fouls: Brighton 11-15 Crystal Palace
BEST STATS
Trevoh Chalobah has now scored more Premier League away goals for Crystal Palace (2) than he did for Chelsea (1).
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 15, 2024
Another goal on the road this season. ⚽️#BHACRY pic.twitter.com/hncF2jEQ9Q
Brighton last 180 PL games:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) December 15, 2024
W60 D60 L60
Perfectly mid. pic.twitter.com/rN3RzaWda8
WHAT NEXT?
After the 'derby' dust has settled, Brighton will head to the capital to face West Ham United on December 21, six days before welcoming Brentford to the Amex Stadium.
Palace's schedule only gets tougher approaching Christmas, though, as the soaring Eagles now prepare for successive meetings with Arsenal, firstly Wednesday's EFL Cup quarter-final at the Emirates before next Saturday's Premier League showdown with the Gunners at Selhurst Park.
Ben Knapton
