Key stats
- Crystal Palace have kept a clean sheet in nine of their 25 games; only Manchester City (11) and Arsenal (13) have done this more often in the Premier League this season.
- Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr has now scored three goals away at Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League, scoring more goals at the AMEX Stadium than any other away venue in the competition.
- Only Nottingham Forest (nine) and Sunderland (nine) have scored fewer first-half goals in the Premier League this season than Brighton (10), who have now failed to score in the opening 45 minutes of eight of their last 11 league fixtures.
Highlights
Match report
Coming into the contest with just one victory across their last 11 PL games (D6, L4), the Seagulls knew the importance of a fast start against their M23 rivals.
As such, Brighton dominated possession early on, and they created the first clear-cut opportunity of the match when Lewis Dunk glanced a close-range header wastefully wide from Pascal Groß’s inviting free-kick.
The visitors – spearheaded by record-signing Jørgen Strand Larsen in attack – looked to gain a foothold in the contest, but it was Fabian Hürzeler’s side who remained the more threatening in the final third, as Maxim De Cuyper saw a goalbound effort blocked by Chris Richards.
Undeterred by a disjointed opening half-hour, Palace improved before HT, with Sarr driving a powerful strike wide of the near post.
Having failed to win any of the eight PL games in which they conceded first this term (D2, L6), the Eagles looked determined to carry their momentum into the early stages of the second period.
Oliver Glasner introduced debutant Evann Guessand from the bench shortly before the hour mark, and the Ivorian made an immediate impact, releasing Sarr through on goal, who held his nerve to slot a composed finish beyond Bart Verbruggen.
That sparked the hosts back into life, and they nearly found an immediate response, only for Charalampos Kostoulas’ low strike to be denied by the legs of Dean Henderson.
Both sides continued to threaten heading into the final 20 minutes, as Verbruggen stood firm to thwart Strand Larsen, while the Seagulls failed to make the most of several set-pieces in dangerous positions.
Palace could’ve doubled their lead in stoppage time through a glorious Strand Larsen chance, but that passed-up opportunity made little difference as the Eagles claimed their first PL victory since the start of December, leapfrogging Brighton and moving nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)
Post-match reaction
"Really important... for me to come in here and help the team win the first game in a long time is really important," Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand-Larsen told Sky Sports.
"The fans backed us a lot today, which gives us a lot of energy. I think that was the most intense game I've played, so really tired now but it's really worth it and I'm happy to be here."
"It's a lot of relief. I told the players you need a win, and this is what they did today," Oliver Glasner said to Sky Sports.
"Today was not the best Premier League game ever, but both teams were fighting hard... a very important three points and feeling absolutely great."