A second-half goal from Ismaila Sarr handed Crystal Palace a much-needed 1-0 victory over bitter rivals Brighton on Sunday, ending a frustrating 12-match winless run in the Premier League. The Senegalese forward’s strike in the 61st minute secured the three points and gave Palace their first win in all competitions since December 11.
The match, played at Brighton’s Amex Stadium, was a tense and closely contested affair, with both teams failing to produce much quality in the first half. It was Sarr, who had already scored twice in Palace’s 3-1 victory over Brighton last season, who made the breakthrough just after the hour mark. The goal came following a sloppy clearance from Brighton’s Lewis Dunk, which allowed substitute Evann Guessand, who had just come on loan from Aston Villa, to feed Sarr. The forward then calmly slotted the ball past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The win lifted Crystal Palace to 13th place in the Premier League table, a point ahead of their hosts, Brighton, who have been struggling in recent weeks. Despite a promising start to the season, the Seagulls have now won just two of their last 12 league matches, a run that has seen head coach Fabian Hurzeler come under increasing pressure. The defeat was met with boos from the Brighton fans, and Hurzeler was the subject of chants calling for his sacking, a clear indication of the growing dissatisfaction among the club’s supporters.
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On the other hand, Crystal Palace’s victory came as a welcome relief to manager Roy Hodgson and the team’s supporters. The Eagles had been without a win since their triumph over Fulham on December 7, and this result will surely boost morale ahead of the upcoming fixtures. The match also marked the debut of £48 million ($65 million) club-record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was introduced as a second-half substitute, though he was unable to get on the scoresheet. Brighton, meanwhile, handed 17-year-old midfielder Harry Howell his first Premier League start in an effort to energize the team.
The match saw little action in the first half, with the best chance falling to Sarr in the 43rd minute. After being played through by Daniel Munoz, Sarr fired his shot wide, but the Senegalese star was determined to make an impact. In the second half, he made no mistake when presented with the opportunity to break the deadlock. Brighton’s attempts to respond were limited, with their best chance coming in the 74th minute when Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson made a crucial save with his legs to deny Charalampos Kostoulas’ attempt.
Despite some late pressure from Brighton, including a few chances from Strand Larsen to double the visitors’ lead, Palace held firm to seal the victory. The Eagles defended resolutely during the six minutes of added time, ensuring that they left with all three points.
Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win over Brighton not only ended a long winless run but also highlighted the team’s resilience under pressure. Brighton’s loss, meanwhile, raised further questions about their current form and whether changes might be on the horizon for Hurzeler and the club.