CRYSTAL PALACE clung on to earn a double over rivals Brighton for the first time in the top flight in a match that featured THREE red cards.
The Eagles are once again timing their sprint finish to a season to perfection, while Brighton are in danger of blowing up.
GettyCrystal Palace won a Premier League thriller against Brighton[/caption]
AFPJean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring for Palace[/caption]
GettyDanny Welbeck levelled the scores before half-time[/caption]
GettyBefore Daniel Munoz put Palace ahead with a wonderful strike[/caption]
AlamyAnthony Taylor dished out THREE red cards – the first came for Eddie Nketiah[/caption]
The old timers in the Holmesdale Road stand will have celebrated long into the night after seeing Palace complete a league double over Brighton for the first time since they were both playing in the Southern League in 1933.
But this well-deserved victory, secured with nine men after Eddie Nketiah and Marc Guehi were both sent off for picking up two bookings, is more significant for its impact on both club’s short-term futures.
After failing to win their first eight games of the season Palace could yet end it in Europe, having already booked a visit to Wembley to face Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi-final at the end of the month.
Oliver Glasner’s side have a game in hand and moved to within two points of eighth-placed Brighton, who have lost three straight games in a nightmare week that began with an agonising FA Cup quarter-final penalty shootout defeat to Nottingham Forest.
With this victory extending Palace’s unbeaten run to seven matches The Eagles will fancy their chances of qualifying for Europe through league position for the first time in their history.
Goals at the start of each half from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Daniel Munoz secured what was ultimately a fairly comfortable victory for Palace, with Eberechi Eze creating both.
The 26-year-old picked a good afternoon to impress in front of watching England manager Thomas Tuchel, who will also have noted some smart saves from Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Mateta’s first goal in the third minute was celebrated with an outpouring of emotion, as it was his first since sustaining the horrific ear injury that required 25 stitches following Liam Robert’s infamous karate kick in Palace’s FA Cup win over Millwall last month.
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The French striker was played into space on the left edge of Brighton box by Eze with no obvious route to goal, but turned to create a shooting opportunity before beating Bart Verbruggen with a left-foot curler.
Lifted by the early goal Palace continued to play with confidence, while Brighton looked sluggish.
AlamyEddie Nketiah was first to be sent off after two bookings[/caption]
Medics later rushed on the pitch to help Maxence Lacroix after a head clash with Joao Pedro
A long ball from Henderson caught the visitors out in the 10th minute, with Eze going close to doubling their lead.
It took a brilliant double save from Henderson to preserve Palace’s lead in the 13th minute however.
The England goalkeeper did well to get his outstretched left arm down to stop Carlos Baleba’s long-range shot before blocking Welbeck’s follow-up at close range.
Henderson could do nothing about Brighton’s 31st minute equaliser, although the same could not be said of Palace defenders Jefferson Lerma and Maxence Lacroix, who allowed Welbeck to sneak in between them to volley in from a brilliant cross from the right from Yankuba Minteh.
At the age of 34 and with six years since his last call-up, Welbeck’s international career is almost certainly over, but his form has been outstanding all season.
If Tuchel can call up Jordan Henderson then anything may be possible.
Eze on the other hand could represent England’s future, particularly if he can reproduce the flashes of individual brilliance he showed here on a more regular basis.
Palace’s second goal of the afternoon in the 55th minute was Eze at his best.
RexMarc Guehi was sent marching for picking up a second yellow for a studs up challenge on Gruda[/caption]
He began a counter-attack from deep in his own half, effortlessly and elegantly carrying the ball into enemy territory, before spotting Munoz in space on the opposite flank.
The cross-field pass to release Munoz was exquisite, although it still left the Colombian international with a lot to do as he cut in from the right to score at the far post.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler responded with a double attacking sub, with Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra coming on for Matt O’Riley and Minteh respectively, but there was no immediate impact.
Glasner also made a change, with Nketiah replacing Mateta, who understandably received a standing ovation for his efforts.
It was Nketiah who made his presence felt soonest, with the former Arsenal striker having a strong appeal for a penalty following a tussle with Pervis Estupian.
Referee Anthony Taylor felt he went down too easily however and waved him away, as well as showing him a yellow card, which looked a harsh decision.
Nketiah paid the ultimate price when his afternoon was ended prematurely after just 11 minutes on the pitch when Taylor showed him a red after a second yellow, although on this occasion he could have few complaints.
The 25-year-old has been in a rich vein of form with three goals in his last five appearances, and his desire to continue got the better of him.
A rash challenge for the ball with Jan Paul van Hecke saw him raise his foot far too high, and on other occasions he would have seen a straight red.
Guehi was also sent off for a second yellow at the start of an epic 12-minute period of injury time, which left Palace hanging on for dear life.
Brighton were unable to take advantage however, and also lost a man in added time Van Hecke was sent off for a cynical foul on Daichi Kamada.
While Palace are flying Brighton are stuttering at the wrong time, and will be nervously looking over their shoulders.
AFPJan Paul van Hecke was then sent packing in added time[/caption]
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