Brighton & Hove Albion faced off against Crystal Palace on December 15, 2024, at the Amex Stadium, but the match did not go as the home team had hoped. Crystal Palace, often considered the underdog, managed to secure a resounding victory, winning 3-1, marking another chapter in the fierce rivalry known as the M23 derby.
Brighton started the match with high expectations, sitting fifth on the Premier League table at the time. With the season having started strong, they seemed primed to return to winning ways after failing to secure wins in their previous three matches. The hosts controlled possession early, with Kaoru Mitoma being particularly active, creating several chances for Brighton. The home crowd buzzed with anticipation, eager for their team to assert dominance.
Yet, it was Crystal Palace who struck first. Trevoh Chalobah opened the scoring with a goal at the 27-minute mark. After some chaos during a corner, Chalobah capitalized and fired one past Brighton's goalkeeper, sending the visiting fans wild. This unexpected goal somewhat stunned Brighton, who were hoping to maintain their dominant form from earlier outings.
Just minutes later, Crystal Palace found the back of the net again, this time through Ismaïla Sarr, who scored at the 33rd minute, doubling their lead. Sarr’s header from another corner showcased the Eagles' efficiency; they managed to convert their chances with minimal effort. Brighton was visibly shaken, and their attempts to regroup before halftime were thwarted by brilliant saves from Palace's goalkeeper, Dean Henderson.
Brighton's struggles continued as they attempted to push back against their rivals, who were playing increasingly well. Despite dominating possession, the Seagulls couldn't find their rhythm and asked questions of Palace's resilient defense. With halftime approaching, Palace seemed very much in control, leading 2-0 at the break—much to the delight of their fans.
The second half saw Brighton push hard to recover. They generated several goal-scoring opportunities, forcing Henderson to perform at his best. A series of impressive saves from him stymied Brighton's attempts to claw back. The visitors continued to play defensively, absorbing pressure and waiting for opportunities to counterattack.
Then, once again, Crystal Palace struck decisively. Sarr scored his second goal of the match at the 82nd minute, likely sealing Brighton's fate. With Palace leading 3-0, it seemed they would leave the Amex with all three points. Brighton finally managed to find the net with just three minutes left, but it was only through an own goal by Marc Guéhi as he attempted to clear the ball from his box. This late goal for Brighton would merely serve as consolation.
The final whistle confirmed Crystal Palace's 3-1 victory, allowing them to break away from the lower reaches of the table—an important psychological win against their local rivals. With this result, Palace climbed to 15th place, showing signs of improvement under manager Oliver Glasner, particularly as they have recently managed to pull together some solid performances after facing multiple challenges early this season.
"The players executed the plan very well, particularly by frustrating Brighton and making the most of our chances," Glasner remarked after the match. He certainly had reasons to be pleased with his team's performance.
On the other hand, Brighton's coach, Fabian Hürtzeler, was left lamenting the missed opportunities, noting, "We have more quality than what we showed today. It’s frustrating, but we need to learn and bounce back." Brighton now finds itself needing to regain form quickly as the pressure mounts with the season continuing.
The next fixtures will be critically important for both teams. Brighton, aiming for European qualification, will need to shake off this performance. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace can leverage this victory as they strive to distance themselves from relegation worries. The thrill of the Premier League continues, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of English football.
