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Crystal Palace logo
Premier League
Apr 14, 2018 at 3pm UK
 
Brighton logo

3-2

Zaha (5', 24'), Tomkins (14')
FT(HT: 3-2)
Murray (18'), Izquierdo (34')

Live Commentary: Crystal Palace 3-2 Brighton & Hove Albion - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Crystal Palace see off Brighton & Hove Albion by a 3-2 scoreline in Saturday's Premier League clash at Selhurst Park.
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Crystal Palace have moved six points clear of the relegation zone with a 3-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday's clash in the Premier League.

All of those goals came in the first 34 minutes of an absorbing contest with Brighton twice rallying to cut the deficit to their hosts.

However, a double from Wilfried Zaha - which came either side of a James Tomkins goal - proved enough for the Eagles to move closer to safety.

Find out how all of the action unfolded at Selhurst Park courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion. The visitors are realistically one win away from securing their place in the top flight for another season, but Palace need all three points against one of their biggest rivals. Let's see who features in each starting lineup...

CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; McCarthur, Cabaye, Loftus-Cheek, Milivojevic; Townsend, Zaha

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBSTITUTES: Speroni, Kelly, Wan-Bissaka, Riedewald, Lee, Sorloth, Benteke


BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION XI: Ryan; Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Kayal, Stephens; Locadia, Gross, Izquierdo; Murray

BRIGHTON & HOVE SUBSTITUTES: Krul, Bruno, Goldson, Knockaert, March, Baldock, Ulloa


LATEST! Before we continue with the team news, we are going to point you in the directon of our coverage of the game between Southampton and Chelsea. Southampton held a two-goal lead but Chelsea have turned things around and now have a 3-2 advantage! Click here to follow the closing stages at St Mary's.

Right then - team news. Let's start with Crystal Palace as Roy Hodgson opts to leave both Alexander Sorloth and Christian Benteke on the bench. The pair had been struggling to overcome injuries so it is not necessarily the biggest surprise that they only feature among the replacements.

It means that Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha remain in attack with Ruben Loftus-Cheek likely to be in close proximity. Expect some flexibility in the final third, however.

The only change that Hodgson has made from last week is Joel Ward being brought back into the team at right-back in place of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The youngster showed his inexperience against Bournemouth last weekend and today is a game for cooler heads.

As for Brighton, Chris Hughton has made just the two changes to the team with drew 1-1 with Huddersfield Town last weekend. The most notable inclusion is Jurgen Locadia, who is handed just his second league start since signing for the Seagulls in January.

Locadia has replaced Solly March, while Beram Keyal has also come into the team in place of Davy Propper whose ever-present campaign has come to an end as a result of his red card against the Terriers.

Brighton can be flexible given the players that they have at their disposal in the final third but it will be Glenn Murray who will lead the line. Murray has 11 goals in the Premier League this season but he has not netted since the start of March.

The visitors also have options on the bench and Leonardo Ulloa will be hoping that he gets a rare opportunity. The forward has only featured for 86 minutes across five substitute appearances since returning to the club on loan from Leicester City.

RESULT! The full-time whistle goes at St Mary's and Chelsea have - somehow - recorded a 3-2 victory against Southampton. The Blues were trailing heading into the 70th minute but then netted three times in the space of eight minutes.

Chelsea now sit seven points behind Tottenham Hotspur in the race for a top-four spot, but the result is disastrous for Southampton, who remain three points adrift of safety with just five matches left. Chelsea's comeback will delight both Brighton and Palace and the door is open to put significant daylight between themselves and the Saints.

Click here to read our on-the-whistle report from the fixture on the South coast.


Let's now turn our attention to this game. At one stage this season, it appeared that Palace were going to move away from the relegation zone but the club have recorded just one win and three draws from their last 10 top-flight outings. That points return cannot continue if they want to remain in the Premier League.

There's a perception that Palace have impressed at Selhurst Park but they have just 17 points from 16 matches to their name. It's the third worst return in the division. We should probably be watchful of an early goal for Brighton too. Palace have conceded as many as nine goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season.

However, on the plus side, Palace have scored almost half of their goals during the current campaign from set pieces. At nearly 46%, it's the highest ratio in the Premier League.

The impact of Zaha has been perceived to be greater than it actually has been at times this season but the winger has a goal and an assist from his last four fixtures. The Ivory Coast international is now up to five goals and two assists for the season.

Brighton boss Hughton has been speaking in the build-up to this match and he has claimed that his team are 'ready' for Palace, despite their recent poor run of form. Click here to read his thoughts.

Defender Bong has also been vocal in the days leading up to this fixture, claiming that today's encounter with the Eagles is "unique". Click here to see what the full-back has had to say.

It has been nine matches since Brighton last registered an away victory in the Premier League. Since the win at Swansea City, just three draws have been registered.

The Seagulls have also only scored seven goals on the road this season. However, they've still managed to get 10 points on the board from their away fixtures.

Brighton will be playing their 100th away match in the top flight today. Overall, they have recorded just 15 wins and 27 draws.

PREDICTION! Both teams don't tend to score a lot of goals so we feel that they may cancel each other out. We expect Palace to make most of the running but Brighton have enoiugh quality in their side to earn a share of the spoils. A 1-1 draw.

HEAD TO HEAD! Saturday's meeting will represent the 99th time that these two teams have faced each other in a competitive match, with Brighton claiming 38 wins in comparison to 35 victories for Palace.

Both clubs have struggled to put a consistent set of results together against the other. In eight matches, neither side have managed to record two wins in a row. However, Palace are unbeaten in the last three contests at Selhurst Park.

The reverse fixture in November ended in a goalless draw, which was a result which probably suited both clubs at the time. Click here to read back on that match.

It's time for the two teams to make their way out at Selhurst Park. There may be 45 miles separating the clubs geographically but this fixture is considered to be a derby so expect a boisterous atmosphere.

A reminder of the two starting lineups...

CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; McCarthur, Cabaye, Loftus-Cheek, Milivojevic; Townsend, Zaha

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION XI: Ryan; Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Kayal, Stephens; Locadia, Gross, Izquierdo; Murray


KICKOFF! Brighton get us underway.

It's been a quiet start from both sides with the only thing to happen of any note a foul by Brighton's Murray.

Palace's first real attack is sharp with a number of crisp passes but it ends with a shot on the edge of the penalty area being blocked by a Brighton defender.

GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion (Wilfried Zaha)

Palace take the lead! Brighton fail to deal with a corner and after Milivojevic's cross-cum-shot is not dealt with by Ryan, Zaha is perfectly placed to tap home from no more than a yard. Milivojevic's shot may have been going into the net but Zaha was under pressure from a defender.

The home side quickly went about netting a second and a corner was won on the opposite flank but Brighton managed to clear the danger.

Palace are buzzing after that goal. So is the crowd. Brighton need to find a way to get into the match because their hosts are better in every department at the moment.

BOOKING! The first yellow card of the match goes to Stephens, who mis-times a challenge with Zaha.

Palace are playing with a really high tempo and Brighton are struggling to get to grips with it. A corner is only cleared to Townsend on the edge of the area and the forward sees a well-struck volley parried away by Ryan.

GOAL! Crystal Palace 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion (James Tomkins)

We are yet to reach the 15-minute mark and Palace already lead 2-0! Brighton fail to deal with another corner and although Ryan keeps one effort out and a defender blocks another, Tomkins is there to force the ball home from 10 yards.

BOOKING! It's now one booking apiece as Milivojevic is cautioned for deliberate handball in the middle of the pitch.

GOAL! Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (Glenn Murray)

It's very much game on again! An outswinging corner finds the head of Dunk and after he powers a header towards goal, Murray is able to fire in from close range.

SHOT! Brighton fancy this now. The ball is teed up to Gross on the edge of the penalty area but the playmaker drills off target from distance.

It hasn't taken long for Brighton to turn the pattern of this match around. Milivojevic is also a tad fortunate to remain on the pitch after a second cynical infringement in quick succession.

GOAL! Crystal Palace 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (Wilfried Zaha)

What an incredible game this is! Palace reopen their two-goal advantage through Zaha, who runs off Scheletto to head home from eight yards out after meeting Milivojevic's cross from a central position.

Brighton have been extremely solid at the back this season but they just cannot deal with anything that Palace are throwing at them. There are plenty more goals in this game.

The visitors continue to live dangerously in and around the penalty area. Palace see another shot blocked before Townsend just misses out on controlling the ball in a shooting position.

LATEST! There have been no goals in the match at the John Smith's Stadium between Huddersfield Town and Watford and in South Wales between Swansea City and Everton. Palace and Brighton will be hoping that both clubs avoid home victories.

Milivojevic got away with a second yellow earlier in this match and Stephens has done here after a late tackle on Zaha. Both players are on final warnings.

SHOT! Zaha is enjoying one of his best games of the season. He is running rings around both Brighton full-backs and on this occasion, the winger saw a low shot from distance held by Ryan.

GOAL! Crystal Palace 3-2 Brighton & Hove Albion (Jose Izquierdo)

This match is outrageous! Locadia plays a neat ball into the path of Izquierdo on the left flank and after advancing into the penalty area, the winger delightfully curls the ball into the far corner of the net.

Palace have dominated for large periods but they somehow find themselves only holding a slender lead. Hughton will be delighted! There is still time for more goals before the half-time whistle.

Dunk halts a counter-attack with a clothesline on Loftus-Cheek but avoids a yellow card. Poor refereeing from Andre Marriner.

The chances have dried up over the last few minutes but that will probably suit Palace for now. Hodgson will be furious if the Eagles don't hold some sort of an advantage at the break.

This is the only period of the first half where Brighton have looked solid at the back. Hughton will take encouragement from that.

LATEST! Everton have taken the lead against Swansea thanks to an own goal from Kyle Naughton. That will be music to the ears of Palace and Brighton.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

SHOT! Almost a fourth for Palace. Milivojevic surged forward from midfield before directing a shot towards the far bottom corner, but Ryan was able to punch the ball clear of danger.

HALF TIME: Crystal Palace 3-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

The half-time whistle goes at Selhurst Park and a five-goal opening 45 minutes comes to an end with Palace leading by a 3-2 scoreline. The Eagles have played better than the one-goal margin suggests and Brighton will be pleased to go into the break still in this match.

Palace's opener came through Zaha, who tapped home from a yard, while the winger was also responsible for his side's third with a header from eight yards. Zaha has been lively throughout and his double came either side of Tomkins forcing the ball home from around 10 yards out. To a certain extent, Brighton will be relieved to have not conceded any more goals.

Brighton have been second best but Hughton will be pleased with his team's goal. Murray's opener came from a set piece with Dunk winning the initial header by the penalty spot, while Izquierdo's delightful second into the far bottom corner came from January signing Locadia's clever pass.

The two teams are starting to make their way back out at Selhurst Park.

KICKOFF! Palace get us back underway.

At the break, Hughton has decided to introduce Knockaert for Locadia. That's pretty harsh on the former PSV Eindhoven man.

Neither team are showing much intent to defend at the start of this second half. Both sides have had flurries forward without much success.

Townsend decides to stretch his legs down the left flank and it quickly puts Brighton onto the offensive. Nothing comes from his resulting shot but it has at least reminded the visitors that they cannot afford to approach this second half with a gung-ho attitude.

Both goalkeepers have been under-worked in the second half as both defences look much more solid than they did in the opening 45 minutes.

We continue with a similar trend as most of the competitive play comes in the middle third of the pitch. This suits Palace, who could always changes things up with the introduction of either Sorloth or Benteke.

Brighton win a free kick on the left-hand side of the penalty area but Knockaert's set piece is partially blocked and the ball goes out for a corner, which comes to nothing.

We are an hour through this match now and the tackles continues to go flying in. So far, Milivojevic and Stephens have stayed out of trouble since the restart.

CHANCE! Almost an equaliser for Brighton! A cross is floated to the back post and it's perfect for Murray to slide in and find the bottom corner. However, the ball goes marginally wide of the far post with Hennessey beaten.

SHOT! This is rather ambitious from Milivojevic. Palace win a free kick from a wide position but the midfielder decides to shoot and only finds the side-netting.

Brighton are starting to get on top in this game. They are wasting little time in delivering the ball into the box. You would think that it won't be long until we see Ulloa.

Palace are starting to live very dangerously at the back. Brighton almost set up Izquierdo after a rapid counter-attack before a mistake by Palace at the back wasn't capitalised on. Hodgson is going to make a change.

SUBSTITUTION! Here comes Benteke who takes the place of Cabaye.

SUBSTITUTION! Brighton follow suit by throwing on their own target man in Ulloa. Gross is the man to make way.

LATEST! Swansea have found an equaliser against Everton, with Jordan Ayew getting on the scoresheet.

Brighton win a corner and with Murray and Ulloa now on the pitch, they pose a greater aerial threat. Palace survive on this occasions however. It's all getting a bit nervy for the home team.

Palace have conceded late goals in four of their last six outings in the Premier League, all of which have cost them points. We are reaching that stage where they will begin to think about that.

BOOKING! Zaha goes into the book for seemingly protesting against a free kick awarded against his side.

SUBSTITUTION! Palace make another switch with Riedewald being introduced for Loftus-Cheek.

SHOT! Hennessey does terrifically to keep Palace in front. The goalkeeper initially punched the ball clear from a cross before then having to dive to his right to keep out an excellent volley from 25 yards from Stephens.

Palace have settled with trying to keep hold of this narrow lead. It's all Brighton now and Palace have 11 men behind the ball.

SUBSTITUTION! A final change for Brighton sees March replace Bong.

Just the two minutes to go now. Palace fans are starting to get frustrated with their side's efforts in attack but you cannot blame Hodgson and his players.

BOOKING! Hennessey goes into the book for time-wasting. He wasn't wasting time - he was waiting for teammate Sakho to get back to his feet.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

CHANCES! Murray squanders a chance at one end when the ball comes at him too fast, before Zaha blazes wide of the target at the other.

FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 3-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

The full-time whistle goes at Selhurst Park and Palace have held on to seal all three points. It got scrappy at times but that flurry at the start of the match proved to be decisive. Hodgson's side now sit six points clear of the relegation zone and just one adrift of rivals Brighton.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.


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Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson tries to tempt you to the dark side during his side's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on November 28, 2017
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