Crystal Palace ended their nine-game winless run in the Premier League (PL) (D3, L6), as Ismaïla Sarr’s second-half strike secured a crucial 1-0 triumph at Brighton & Hove Albion.
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.
