Crystal Palace vs Brighton 23/24

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all well.

On Thursday 21st December 2023, Crystal Palace hosted Brighton at Selhurst Park for a Premier League fixture in a 8pm kick off in their final game before Christmas.

Palace came into the game off the back of an exceptional 2-2 comeback away at Manchester City, with Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Michael Olise getting on the scoresheet. I was absolutely gutted not to have been there but enjoyed watching from home!

This week’s visitors were Sean Dyche’s Everton. Coming into the game the traveling team were in the top half of the table. Their previous game was a 2-0 loss away to Arsenal following a league 1-1 draw home to Burnley. The seagulls were also competing in the Europa League where they recently beat Marseille in a 1-0 win at home in a busy festive period.

Roy Hodgson made three changes to the line up compared to the one that faced the current league champions last weekend, these saw Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes return from injury and illness to replace Jairo Riedewald and Jeffery Schlupp. Jordan Ayew also returned from suspension to replace Joel Ward as they returned to a four at the back formation.

As everyone involved with the two clubs know … this game means more!

In the battle of the birds, Brighton fought back to earn a point away to Crystal Palace in a 1-1 draw

In a late night fixture in South London it was the away side started the strong of the two teams, playing silky football and not allowing Palace any time on the ball. 

During their small spurts of possession Palace looked dangerous through Jordan Ayew and Michael Olise. The young Frenchman was played through in behind of the Brighton defence, but his pass across the face of the goal missed Mateta in the middle. Brighton were backtracking and it was a chance the home side should be scoring. 

On the 18th minute a shot from Simon Adingra forced a great save from Dean Henderson kept the score level.

Palace were creating the better chances but just weren’t clinical enough in the final third. Despite a five shot scurry in the box - featuring shots from Chris Richards, Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Olise - Brighton managed to stay resilient and not let any through to the goal. 

Another attempt again came through the Eagle’s dangerman, Olise. The 22 year old won the ball back deep in own half and darted towards goal, he released Jefferson Lerma who played ball across goal but Brighton defence got there first.

Brighton midfielder, Carlos Baleba, was a very physical player giving Palace countless fouls - though none they were able to capitalise on.

On the stroke of half time Palace’s constant pressure was rewarded.  Olise won the ball back deep in his attacking third finding Will Hughes with a header, the winger received the ball back and after making his way into the box sent a lopping cross to the back post to Ayew who could open the scoring! And cause Selhurst Park to erupt as the home side went into half time ahead!

The Eagles came out of the break strong but quickly dropped off and went back to their usual ways. Mateta had an early chance using his strength to pass Dunk before poking the ball goalwards, but keeper Bart Verbruggen was quick off his line and smothered the ball.

With fresh energy provided to the Brighton team through substitutions they began to assert their dominance. Roy Hodgson looked to his bench bringing on David Ozoh on the 59th minute to replace Hughes to give some energy himself. The 18-year-old impressed off the bench last weekend at Manchester City, and he didn’t fall short in this game having a big presence in the midfield.

On his home debut, a fingertip save from Henderson once again kept Palace ahead as Brighton applied the pressure. 

A spillage in the box from the Palace keeper was a nervy one to watch but Palace eventually managed to clear and start a counterattack of their own.

With 10 minutes remaining Palace, with Brighton having full control, purely relied on counterattacks, with chances from Matea and late substitute Ebere Eze both being denied.

Palace fell into their typical ways of invited pressure on and from their own mistakes were punished conceding on the 83rd minute through a looping header from Danny Welbeck.  

Things almost went from bad to worse for the eagles as Henderson punched an up-field ball onto Welbeck’s head – but luckily the ball went just wide of the open net.

The late goal meant the game ended in yet another 1-1 draw, making this a fifth successive 1-1 draw between the teams at Selhurst Park.

Yet another frustrating game where Palace caused their own issues and gave away the win. I thought they played well in the first half, but once Brighton found their rhythm they looked clueless out of possession. Dean Henderson saved us multiple times, but he looked very nervy and unconfident when needing to catch the ball – making my heart stop, hopefully it’s not long till Sam Johnstone’s back. Substitute Ebere Eze unfortunately didn’t bring anything to the game and instead was arguably at fault for Brighton’s goal. On the other hand I thought Tyrick Mitchell, Michael Olise and Jordan Ayew played well, I just cant understand why the latter was subbed off!

Palace will next face Chelsea away before returning home to face Brentford to finish off the festive period.

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas!

Thank you for reading

Ellie Xx