Crystal Palace vs Brighton ends in predictable fashion despite Welbeck heroics
Brighton owner Tony Bloom celebrated a win double at the Amex Stadium last season when his Albion beat Palace after his horse had romped to victory at Cheltenham. The gambler also banked another £830,000 in bets. But anyone who bet against a 1-1 draw back at Selhurst Park was a total mug punter.
Jordan Ayew gave the hosts the lead in first half injury time on his return from his controversial red card against Liverpool. But Danny Welbeck came off the bench to net an inevitable 82nd-minute equaliser to see the last five league fixtures between these two bitter rivals end 1-1 at Selhurst Park.
Patrick Vieira was sacked after the March defeat to Seagulls to be replaced by Roy Hodgson. Despite the draw at Manchester City, pressure is growing on the former England manager after only one win in 11 since the September 30 win at Old Trafford - and none at home in seven matches. Hodgson, 76, is resigned to leaving his boyhood club at the end of the season but Steve Cooper is immediately available.
Brighton missed out on the chance to leapfrog Manchester United into seventh place in Roberto De Zerbi’s 50th Premier League game in charge. Albion, who enjoyed 65 percent of possession, have now won only two out of 12 Premier League matches.
A slow start saw the biggest early cheer in this M23 derby come when Nathianel Clyne won a crunching 50/50 challenge in midfield with Igor. The first clear cut chance followed when the Brazilian defender swung a ball in from his left-back position which found Simon Adingra on the edge of the box. The Ivorian’s 19th-minute shot was parried by Dean Henderson and Carlos Baleba sent the rebound wide.
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Jean-Philippe Mateta sent in Palace’s first shot on target eight minutes later to herald Palace dominating the rest of the half. But it was an error by Verbruggen which led to the opener in first-half injury time.
The Palace press saw the Dutch keeper’s weak clearance headed by Olise to Will Hughes just outside the penalty area. He returned the ball to the Frenchman and Olise’s chipped cross was headed home by Ayew for his second goal of the season. Albion have now gone 22 successive league games without keeping a clean sheet.
Crystal Palace celebrate Jordan Ayew's opener (Mark Greenwood/IPS/REX/Shutterstock)
It was a missed opportunity for Roberto De Zerbi's men (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)Verbruggen made some amends after the break when Dunk failed to hold off Mateta and the Brighton keeper blocked the shot.
Albion appealed optimistically for a penalty when Jack Hinshelwood - the grandson of Eagles legend Paul - kicked the turf in the box under challenge from Ayew.
Welbeck gave Henderson no chance with an exquisite looping header into the top corner from a Gross cross. But the Palace keeper was lucky to escape in the 88th minute when his punch clear hit the former Arsenal striker in the face and trickled wide.
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