Crystal Palace completed their first-ever Premier League double over Brighton & Hove Albion with a 2-1 win in a chaotic contest where no fewer than three players were sent off.
The latest iteration of the so-called M23 derby did not disappoint in the first half, where a 1-1 scoreline was reflective of the end-to-end action as Jean-Philippe Mateta's stunning opener was cancelled out by Danny Welbeck.
The latter's deft flick was a historic one, as he broke Pascal Gross's record for the most Premier League goals for Brighton, but the Seagulls' smiles were wiped off their faces when Daniel Munoz restored Palace's lead 10 minutes into the second half.
However, the bedlam was just beginning in the capital, as Eddie Nketiah and Marc Guehi were both sent off for Oliver Glasner's side, before the Seagulls also lost Jan Paul van Hecke deep into second-half injury time.
The clock soon ticked over to 104 minutes, but the nine men of Palace managed to hold out for the victory that moves them up to 11th in the Premier League table, while Brighton stay eighth on 47 points, five below the top four.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
A derby that rarely fails to disappoint certainly provided full entertainment value in all senses of the word, from a trio of terrific goals to a trio of red cards, ones that triggered one of the most frenetic finales of the Premier League season so far.
Glasner's men were arguably good value for their 2-1 advantage before two moments of madness from Guehi and Nketiah, the latter of whom was firstly cautioned for diving before being dismissed, the total opposite of a super sub cameo.
However, the hosts' nine men formed an impenetrable brick wall before Van Hecke's dismissal made their job slightly easier, but they still needed Dean Henderson heroics to bail them out right at the death.
By coming up trumps in an absorbing affair, Palace have now done the league double over Brighton for the first time in the top flight, and the door is not fully closed on their European prospects.
The same can be said of Brighton, but the Seagulls have now failed to win any of their last 12 Premier League games in London, so the capital remains an unhappy haunt for Fabian Hurzeler's team.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS. BRIGHTON HIGHLIGHTS
3rd min: Crystal Palace 1-0 Brighton (Jean-Philippe Mateta)
Glasner's two danger men combine for the first goal of the afternoon, and what a goal it was!
Eberechi Eze collects possession out on the left and fizzes a crisp pass into the feet of Mateta, who takes one touch with his right foot and finds the far top corner with his left from just inside the box.
31st min: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton (Danny Welbeck)
The Premier League has seen a revival of the old-school number nine this season, and Brighton's attacking talisman Welbeck now gets in on the act!
Yankuba Minteh shapes himself to deliver an inswinging cross from the right, and Welbeck gets the slightest of touches on the volley to help the ball into the far corner.
Nothing a stagnant Henderson could do about it, and Welbeck has now become the Seagulls' all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League!
55th min: Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton (Daniel Munoz)
🙌#CPFC // #CRYBHA pic.twitter.com/T94D9AGsOI
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 5, 2025
Palace's second goal of the day, and Eze's second assist of the day! The Eagles quickly turn defence into attack thanks to the electrifying England international, who collects the ball just inside the Brighton half and charges forward into open space.
Eze advances to the edge of the D before laying off the arriving Munoz, who takes one touch and fires a brilliant low strike across goal and into the bottom corner. Adding a few more pounds to his transfer value!
78th min: Eddie Nketiah (Crystal Palace) red card
© Iconsport
A few more nails will be bitten at Selhurst Park now!
Nketiah - who had already been booked for diving - takes the walk of shame for a second bookable offence as he goes in with a high boot on Van Hecke.
One of the most disastrous Premier League substitute cameos I can remember, and Palace have 15 minutes or so to hold on with 10 men!
90+1 min: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) red card
Will nine be fine for Palace? It will have to be if they are to somehow cling on for a victory, as Guehi is the second Eagles player to be sent off for a terrible tackle on Brajan Gruda.
90+6 min: Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion) red card
Red card chaos in West London! It is now Brighton's turn to fall foul of the rule book, as Jan Paul van Hecke goes for a last-man foul on Daichi Kamada; down to nine vs. 10 for the final few moments!
MAN OF THE MATCH - EBERECHI EZE
© Imago
A word of appreciation for the pass master that is Adam Wharton, but another one of his in-demand England teammates ran the show at Selhurst Park, as Eze provided the helpers for both of Palace's goals on the day.
Both assists were moments of pure quality too - a terrific pass into Mateta and driving run before teeing up Munoz - and the latter was also one of four successful dribbles he managed in another mesmerising display.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS. BRIGHTON MATCH STATS
Possession: Crystal Palace 38%-62% Brighton
Shots: Crystal Palace 8-11 Brighton
Shots on target: Crystal Palace 3-5 Brighton
Corners: Crystal Palace 2-4 Brighton
Fouls: Crystal Palace 12-13 Brighton
BEST STATS
Danny Welbeck has now scored more Premier League goals for Brighton than any other player in the competition's history (31).
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 5, 2025
Dat Guy Welbz breaks Pascal Groß' record. 😍 pic.twitter.com/5Pj6ix4OG9
WHAT NEXT?
Two daunting away fixtures now await Crystal Palace, who head to reigning champions Manchester City next Saturday - without the services of both Guehi and Nketiah - and then visit St James' Park to face Newcastle United on April 16.
Meanwhile, Brighton have a friendlier fixture on the menu next weekend, hosting relegation-threatened Leicester City at the Amex on April 12 at 3pm.
Ben Knapton
