Ismaila Sarr’s magnificent double settled the M23 grudge match as Crystal Palace beat bitter rivals Brighton 3-1 on their very own patch.
Sarr struck twice after Trevoh Chalobah scored a controversial opener as soared to a primary win in seven makes an attempt in opposition to their sworn south-coast enemies.
Having didn’t win any of their first eight matches this season, ’s facet have now misplaced simply one in all their final eight.
It was a sobering Sunday afternoon for on his first expertise of the Premier League’s weirdest derby.
However might rely themselves unfortunate that Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was not despatched off within the opening moments, whereas referee Michael Oliver’s half within the first purpose additionally left them aggrieved.
Henderson raced out of his space to problem Yankuba Minteh with a foot that was far too excessive however not, because the Brighton ahead would have had everybody consider, anyplace close to his head.
However he escaped any punishment, and in opposition to the run of play Palace went forward within the twenty seventh minute.
Eberechi Eze relieved the strain by taking the ball into the Brighton half after Oliver had inadvertently blocked Carlos Baleba from making a deal with.
Palace went on to win a nook, and when Brighton didn’t get a head on Will Hughes’s near-post supply, Chalobah reacted quickest to crash the ball into the roof of the web.
It was a messy purpose which survived VAR checks for each offside and handball.
There was no doubting Palace’s second, simply 5 minutes later, after Tyrick Mitchell shrugged off Tariq Lamptey as each challenged for a excessive ball down the left.
Mitchell whipped his cross over Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen to current Sarr with a free header on the far publish.
Shell-shocked Brighton virtually let in a 3rd earlier than half-time when Daniel Munoz’s cross discovered Eze, whose header drifted inches extensive.
Lamptey was sacrificed at half-time with Julio Enciso despatched on so as to add some zip to Brighton’s assault, and virtually instantly Kaoru Mitoma’s goal-bound shot was cleared by Maxence Lacroix earlier than Lewis Dunk’s header was stored out by Henderson.
Moments later Henderson made an excellent diving save to tip Enciso’s roller round his left-hand publish.
Palace full-back Munoz had a purpose dominated out after Sarr was harshly adjudged to have fouled Pervis Estupinan.
However with eight minutes remaining Sarr put away the third, holding off Dunk earlier than slotting previous Verbruggen.
Brighton pulled one again from a nook, with the ball getting into off . Nevertheless, Henderson stored the injury down to 1 purpose with one other positive save from Enciso to make sure Palace had been laughing all the best way again as much as south London.
03:58 PM GMTFULL TIME: Brighton 1 Palace 3
Effectively performed Palace who go away the south coast with a well-deserved three factors. That was a positive away efficiency from the south Londoners who defended nicely and attacked with objective and poise.
03:56 PM GMT93 minutes: Brighton 1 Palace 3
Handerson has carried out nicely when known as upon within the Palace purpose. This time he saves nicely to his proper from an Ensico shot.
03:55 PM GMT89 minutes: Brighton 1 Palace 3
It needs to be 4-1 to Palace as Nketiah is ready free and is one-on-one with Verbruggen. He tries to be a bit too cute scooping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper (suppose Karel Poborský in opposition to Portugal in Euro 96…) however the try goes extensive and he’s nonetheless looking for his first purpose for the south Londoners.
03:51 PM GMTGOAL!
Brighton 1 Palace 3
A late comfort for the hosts is available in a calamitous and amusing style. From a nook Palace attempt to clear their strains solely to fireside the ball in opposition to Guehi who is aware of nothing about it because the ball hits his bottom earlier than hitting the again of the web.
03:48 PM GMT84 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 3
Brighton haven’t been crushed at house this season – that report has been led to positive style by their huge rivals who’re by no means flattered by this scoreline.
03:44 PM GMTGOAL!
Brighton 0 Palace 3
Sarr has wrapped up the three factors for the guests. Handerson goes lengthy and the hosts can’t cope with it, the ball, in the end, falls on the toes of the Sengalese ahead who then exhibits nice composure to move the ball into the again of the web previous the onrushing Verbruggen.
03:43 PM GMT79 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Brighton have huffed and puffed this half however have been unable to blow away this well-marshalled Palace defence. I can’t see the hosts getting something from this match now…
03:40 PM GMT76 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
The sub Gruda hits a stunning free-kick that will get a deflection. Henderson was rooted to the spot and probably grateful to see the ball sail (simply) over the bar.
03:37 PM GMT74 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
The guests have grown into this half, they’ve dealt nicely with the anticipated strain from the hosts after the break and at the moment are doing what they did so nicely within the first half: particularly defend nicely and assault on the break. This time Sarr will get in a shot that Verbruggen saves nicely at his close to publish.
03:36 PM GMT70 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Three modifications for the hosts – Gruda, Ferguson and Adinga come on for Ayari, Rutter and Minteh.
03:33 PM GMT65 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
It appears as if Palace have weathered the storm, they’re seeing extra of the ball and as I sort Munoz places the ball within the web to make it 3-0…nonetheless, the flag goes instantly up and it doesn’t rely. Within the construct as much as the strike Sarr was adjudged to have dedicated a foul on Estupinan. That appears a bit comfortable…
03:26 PM GMT63 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Nook for Palace provides them an opportunity to create one thing as nicely and take the strain off their backline which has been examined for the reason that break. Nothing comes of it.
03:23 PM GMT59 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Double change for Palace as Mateta and Eze make manner for Nketiah and Kamada.
The second-half stats make for attention-grabbing studying…Brighton have had 87 per cent of possession and 6 pictures to Palace’s none.
03:21 PM GMT56 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
The one factor Brighton lacked within the first 45 minutes was spark. Effectively, they’ve discovered it these previous jiffy as Julio Enciso bends an effort that’s heading into the underside right-hand nook of the web till Handerson makes one other positive save.
03:19 PM GMT55 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Handerson makes a positive save from Dunk’s header. A lot better from Brighton who look extra energetic than within the first half.
03:18 PM GMT54 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Mitoma is in area on the best, he cuts again onto his proper boot, there are many choices within the field however his supply is so poor and the prospect goes begging. It’s a bit like the primary half for the time being, the hosts are seeing a variety of the ball however not creating something that would remotely be described as a ‘clear-cut likelihood’.
As I sort that they solely go and create a ‘clear-cut likelihood’ as Joao Pedro tees up Mitoma whose shot is nicely blocked by Lacroix.
03:13 PM GMT51 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Brighton are on high for the time being however haven’t created something to hassle Henderson within the Palace purpose.
03:11 PM GMT49 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
The hosts are on the entrance foot and Minteh earns them a nook on the best. Can they create one thing from this? ‘Nope’ is the lengthy and wanting it because the ball is delivered deep, too deep…
03:09 PM GMT47 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Brighton already look higher this half (early days, I do know…) they’re shifting the ball faster and getting our bodies ahead. They so have to get the subsequent purpose.
03:08 PM GMT45 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
As Roy Keane on Sky punditry responsibility says: ‘I’ll state the apparent, the subsequent purpose is essential’.
One change for the hosts – Lamptey makes manner for Julio Enciso.
02:51 PM GMTHALF TIME: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Guehi sees yellow for an overzealous problem on Lamptey. It’s time for the break and it’s truthful to say it’s going in keeping with plan for Palace who’ve defended nicely and regarded tasty on the break. Brighton have regarded wanting concepts in possession and might want to change one thing to have a hope within the second 45.
02:47 PM GMT43 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Palace are trying excellent on the break for the time being. This time Mateta and Eze mix nicely and whereas they don’t get a shot in on purpose it’s one other warning signal to the hosts who don’t take a look at the races at the moment.
The guests have had their possibilities to place this match to mattress.
02:45 PM GMT42 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
One other good likelihood on the break for Palace. Munoz chips a stunning ball from the best, proper onto the pinnacle of Eze whose try goes extensive. That was a positive alternative to go 3-0 up.
02:43 PM GMT39 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
Brighton are seeing a variety of the ball and the touches stats backs that up however their attacking gamers have been unable to essentially have an effect on the match. Palace are defending solidily and with obvious ease.
02:40 PM GMT36 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 2
The hosts look a bit shell-shocked for the time being. When in possession it’s all a bit ‘after you Claude’ as they battle to create something can may very well be described as a ‘clearcut likelihood’.
02:36 PM GMTGOAL!
Brighton 0 Palace 2
Did I say this match goes precisely in keeping with plan for the guests. Effectively, if the plan was ‘defend nicely early on and go two up inside the primary half an hour’ then I’d have been utterly appropriate. Mitchell is out on the left and whips in a scrumptious, deep cross that Sarr heads in on the again publish.
Tyrick Mitchell swings it in for Ismaila Sarr and Crystal Palace DOUBLE their lead within the derby! 😳🦅
02:34 PM GMT30 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 1
An ideal likelihood for Palace to double their lead as Sarr units up Munoz contained in the field. The Palace man shoots low and first time forcing Verbruggen into a good save.
Having weathered the early storm Palace are trying energetic, this match, I reckon, goes precisely in keeping with plan for the south Londoners.
02:29 PM GMTGOAL!!!
Brighton 0 Palace 1
Nook for Palace, their third, I feel, can they create one thing from this?
YES. THEY. CAN.
Hughes delivers from the best, it’s on the close to publish and the hosts can’t clear. The ball falls on the toes of Chalobah and he fires excessive into the roof of the web from all of about three yards.
VAR has a glance, although it’s not overly clear what for…anyway, after a minute the purpose stands and the guests have a dream begin.
02:27 PM GMT23 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
Lacroix (not the designer…) shoves Joao Pedro and Michael Oliver awards a free kick because of this. It’s close to the byline on the left and an amazing likelihood to create one thing BUT it’s such a poor supply and Henderson comes out and claims the ball with ease.
02:24 PM GMT22 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
After a energetic begin Brighton have struggled to create a lot these previous 10 minutes. Place are defending nicely and will likely be pleased with how this match goes.
02:22 PM GMT19 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
It’s all a bit bitty for the time being – a variety of play in the course of the park however little motion within the ultimate thirds.
02:19 PM GMT17 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
Nook for Palace however Verbruggen comes out and punches nicely clear. The guests are but to create anythign from open play.
02:17 PM GMT15 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
Minteh and Mitoma mix after Guehi loses the ball on the best. Minteh does nicely and maybe ought to have gone for purpose himself fairly than arrange his team-mate. Brighton are most definitley on high for the time being.
02:14 PM GMT12 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
Brighton are on high for the time being, Palace but to essentially get going. Rutter has a go from distance and it’s nicely blocked by Lerma.
02:10 PM GMT8 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
There have already been a number of tasty challenges – this can be a bizarre derby but it surely’s truthful to say that gamers, and followers, are stepping into the spirit of issues…
02:09 PM GMT6 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
Henderson comes a great distance out of his field he’s in no-man’s land and has to kick the ball away, within the course of he’s catches a little bit of Minteh…the ref, Michael Oliver, deems it truthful and VAR agrees…attention-grabbing.
Vigorous and promising begin from the hosts.
02:06 PM GMT4 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
The primary huge second of the match sees Henderson save nicely from Mitoma after nice work from Pedro units his team-mate up within the inside-left channel. Essentially the most followers are in positive voice afterwards.
02:03 PM GMT2 minutes: Brighton 0 Palace 0
Early nook for the guests after a derby-style problem on the best. Can they create one thing from this? The reply, in brief, is an enormous fats ‘no’ as Verbruggen comes and claims a Will Hughes supply.
02:01 PM GMT1 min: Brighton 0 Palace 0
They’re below manner on the south coast, Brighton are of their blue and white stripes and Palace of their black away quantity.
01:58 PM GMTThe two groups are out on the pitch
And the place second’s away from kick off.
01:55 PM GMTGetting into the festive spirit
01:46 PM GMTThe two coaches converse to Sky Sports activities – ‘It’s vital to maintain calm’
Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler on the rivalry…
“It’s a rivalry and we have now to know that historical past. Rivalries are at all times one thing particular and it’s vital to stress that but it surely’s additionally vital to maintain your calm.”
Oliver Glasner on his reverse quantity…
“He’s doing an incredible job, he’s a younger coach with a transparent construction of how he desires to play.”
01:42 PM GMTBrighton like this fixture
They’re unbeaten of their previous six conferences.
01:39 PM GMTPalace have checked in01:31 PM GMTHere are the 2 groups in old school black and white
BRIGHTON XI TO FACE CRYSTAL PALACE: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan, Rutter, Minteh, Baleba, Mitoma, Ayari, Pedro. Subs: Steele, Julio, Gruda, Enciso, Adingra, Moder, Wieffer, Ferguson, McConville.
CRYSTAL PALACE XI TO FACE BRIGHTON: Henderson, Mitchell, Lacroix, Guehi, Chalobah, Sarr, Lerma, Eze, Munoz, Mateta, Hughes. Subs: Turner, Nketiah, Schlupp, Clyne, Kamada, Doucoure, Devenny, Kporha, Agbinone.
Oliver Glasner has caught with the identical facet for a 3rd sport in a row.
01:26 PM GMTHere be the Palace XI01:25 PM GMTHere’s the Brighton XI01:13 PM GMTThe battle of the birds
As derbies go, the M23 providing is among the stranger ones. A rivalry born not when it comes to geography, clearly, fairly of a spate of 5 matches performed within the 1976-77 season and transferred dangerous blood between their then managers, Terry Venables (Crystal Palace) and Alan Mullery (Brighton).
Amongst a number of derby-day tales is the 1976 FA Cup replay which noticed Mullery having to be escorted from the pitch by police after flicking the ‘V’ signal to Palace followers earlier than allegedly coming into the Palace dressing room, and throwing 5 kilos on the ground, telling Venables: “Your group’s not value that.” One other incident, from the 2012-13 play-off and extra extra disagreeable, noticed Brighton’s dressing room allegedly adorned with one thing I gained’t write contemplating it’s Sunday lunchtime and I don’t need to spoil your urge for food on your succulent roast…
Having been to this fixture 4 years in the past I can attest that, someway, this friction has been simmering properly ever since.
Will as we speak see one other story so as to add to the rising listing of M23-rivalry tales? We’ll have to attend and see, however there’s little doubt over who heads into the match as favourites. Brighton lie seventh within the desk however, in excellent news for Palace followers, are and not using a win in three. The south Londoners, then again, are only one spot above the relegation zone, however have seen an upturn in kind just lately. Their positive kind on the finish of final season has not been replicated this marketing campaign, however there’s a sense that they’re higher than their present league place suggests. They’re unbeaten in 4 and haven’t misplaced away from house since mid-October.
This most weird of derbies is all set for kick-off at 2pm, so please stick with us to see which of the Seagulls or Eagles can have their wings clipped.
