Solly March’s first-half goal was enough for Brighton to beat fierce rivals Crystal Palace 1-0 in an entertaining encounter, closing the gap on the European places.
The drama began before a ball was kicked, with Crystal Palace number 1 Vicente Guaita ruled out through injury and replaced by 19-year-old academy goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. But the youngster defended well, although arguably he could have done better for Brighton’s opening goal on 15 minutes.
Crystal Palace had dominated up to that point, quickly snapping their run of three Premier League games without a shot on goal, but a sublime pass from Kaoru Mitoma found March, whose sharp shot grazed Whitworth’s fingertips before finding the bottom corner.
The Eagles should have finished the first half with 10 players, with two late challenges from Cheick Doucoure worthy of a second yellow card. But referee Peter Bankes gave none, adding to Brighton’s frustration in this game, as a goal was disallowed by VAR for an error at Selhurst Park just over a month ago.
Brighton dominated possession for much of the game, briefly interrupted by a power cut early in the second half, though they lacked the lead at times in the final third to find a second.
However, the hard-fought win moves Brighton closer to the European places. They are now two points and two places behind Newcastle in fifth place, and six points out of the Champions League places.
Crystal Palace extend their winless run to 12 games and have scored just four league goals this season, leaving them just three points outside the relegation zone.
How Brighton got closer to Europe with victory
Lewis Dunk celebrates Brighton’s victory as they close the gap on the European places
Crystal Palace started well at the Amex and eventually recorded their first shots on goal when Odsonne Edouard fired a deflected shot inside two minutes, before heading just past the post shortly after.
Jason Steele, preferred to Robert Sanchez in recent games, then needed to make a smart save when Michael Olise passed to the 18-yard box. But Brighton’s wide stopper stance saw him save the final shot.
But Brighton gave their rivals a lesson in being clinical when they took the lead in the 15th minute against the course of play. Visionary pass from Mitoma played by March, who was seen ahead of Marc Guehi. That’s when a low, hard shot beat Whitworth.
Crystal Palace had their chances to tie. Steele made another great save, denying Edouard who went on goal. Joachim Andersen then headed wide after Olise’s superb free-kick.
But Crystal Palace should have finished the half with 10 players. Doucoure, who had just returned from suspension, fouled Joel Veltman in the 27th minute and received a yellow card. But the challenges at the end of the first half on Moisés Caicedo and another on Veltman, although possibly stronger than the initial warning, went unpunished.
Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise tests Jason Steele in the first half
It was no surprise to see Doucoure replaced at half time, with Eberechi Eze taking his place. Brighton tested Whitworth early on after some fine play between Alexis Mac Allister and Pervis Estupinan on the left of the box, but the latter’s cross was deflected off Whitworth’s outstretched leg.
After a brief stoppage due to a power outage, the Crystal Palace teenager made another sensational save. Mac Allister headed in a corner, but the keeper brought out a strong hand to deflect the effort.
With the last three Premier League games ending 1-1, Crystal Palace went for an equalizer and had a glorious chance in the fourth of nine minutes added. A sloppy back pass between Pascal Gross and Steele allowed Eze to come in, before passing the ball to Naouirou Ahamada. However, the young Frenchman sent his shot wide.
Brighton and Crystal Palace’s play was halted early in the second half after a brief power cut
De Zerbi will serve another penalty on the touchline
Roberto De Zerbi will serve another match suspension on the touchline after receiving his fourth yellow card of the season against Crystal Palace for protesting to the referees when Moisés Caicedo was booked.
De Zerbi had previously played against Aston Villa, Leicester and Brentford. He, too, was shown a red card in the tunnel for arguing with Darren England after Brighton’s 1-0 defeat by Fulham last month, which saw him handed a one-match ban.
“I’m disappointed by my yellow card, because I didn’t deserve it,” De Zerbi said.
“The referee has to give (Cheick) Doucoure a yellow card and not me. Because they were the same foul and Moises’s was a yellow card, of course, 100 percent, like Doucoure, but Doucoure with another yellow card was finished. in the game.
“If the foul is clear, the rules are clear in football and you have to show personality if you want to stay in the Premier League, as a manager, as a player, as a referee, as a manager.
“Back in the stands now. There’s no problem if I like it or not, the problem is that I didn’t deserve it, because the referee’s mistake, not my mistake.”
On Brighton’s performance, De Zerbi said: “I’m very happy for the players, for the result, for the fans and for the table.
“We couldn’t close the game and in discount we suffered. But we are Brighton, not Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United or Liverpool. It’s important for us to win in different ways.”
Vieira: I am concerned about the lack of goals
Patrick Vieira, concerned about the lack of goals at his Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira: “I’m worried about scoring goals. When I look at the team’s performance and look at the work ethic and our organization and how the players execute our plan, I’m pleased with that.”
“The concern I have is that when you create those chances but don’t take them, of course you start to worry about it. We have to score those goals.”
“The players, especially the forwards, have to change their mentality. We have to be more aggressive up front, we have to be more aggressive in the final third. I’m not going to stop pushing that I’m putting them in the moment until we get what we want.”
On Joe Whitworth’s professional debut, Vieira said: “Joe is self-confident and calm. He showed a lot of good things.
“It’s even more special because it came from the academy.”
FPL Stats – Brighton 1-0 Crystal Palace
Opta stats: March pairing Rashford and Haaland
- Crystal Palace are the only Premier League team without a league win in 2023 so far (L11 W0 D5 L6): it’s their longest streak without a league win since going 14 straight without a win between December 2015 and April 2016.
- Brighton have picked up 18 Premier League points in 2023 so far (P9 W5 D3 L1) – only Manchester City (25) and Arsenal (23) have won more this calendar year.
- Since the Premier League returned on Boxing Day, only Marcus Rashford (10) and Erling Haaland (8) have scored more non-penalty goals in the competition than Brighton’s Solly March (7). The goal of March came in the 15th minute, dated today March 15.
Whats Next?
Brighton are in FA Cup quarter-final action on Sunday when they receive Grimsby; start 2:15 p.m. They return to the Premier League business after the international break, when they receive brentford on Saturday, April 1; start 3:00 p.m.
crystal Palace they also play Sunday as they travel to the Premier League leaders and Vieira’s former team Arsenal; start 2:00 p.m. After the international break, they receive leicester on Saturday, April 1; start 3:00 p.m.
