Brighton have done the double over their rivals for the first time in 31 years after carving out a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park in Saturday's early Premier League kick off.
The matcj was a physical and robust contest that produced few clear chances but a lot of derby passion as the Seagulls head home with the bragging rights.
Florin Andone suffered a warm-up injury forcing Brighton into a late change, Glenn Murray started in his place and the former Crystal Palace man was at hand to give his side the lead. James Tomkins couldn't deal with the swirling long ball leaving the door open for Murray to finish expertly on the volley.
Davy Propper knew #CRYBHA pic.twitter.com/fLR0ZUnTA5
— Goal (@goal) March 9, 2019
The two sides exchanged heavy challenges with both having a penalty waved away before Crystal Palace
Brighton
Here's our breakdown of this one.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Key Talking Point
Roy Hodgson will be bitterly disappointed after seeing his side dominate possession and attacking play but produce so little. It was a tale of two opposites with Brighton being punishingly clinical and Crystal Palace wasting chance after chance.
For all their build-up play they didn't trouble Matthew Ryan from open play and they always looked vulnerable on the counter. Key attacking players like Wilfried Zaha offered nothing and a flurry of attacking reinforcements from the bench struggled to make an impact either.
Blow it every time. Fed up.
— Lola suggs (@SuggsLola) March 9, 2019
Crystal Palace were maybe shaken by Brighton's physical approach to the game but the performance was tepid. They didn't take nearly enough risks when it mattered and a few too many when they shouldn't, failing to deal with two fairly simple breaks from the opposition.
An impressive run of form meant Palace had only lost one of their last eight in all competitions and moved away from the drop zone. This was a swift reality check that there's still a bit of work to do for Hodgson to get his side over the line to safety and they'll maybe have to shelve those top 10 dreams for another season.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Guaita (6), Wan-Bissaka (6), Tomkins (5), Dann (5), Van Aanholt (6), McArthur (6), Milivojevic (7), Schlupp (6), Townsend (7), Batshuayi (6), Zaha (6)
Substitutes: Benteke (6), Meyer (6)
STAR MAN - Nobody excelled for Crystal Palace and that was the key difference between the two sides. Townsend showed a great deal of experience and spatial awareness to buy the penalty and get his side back into the game.
Andros Townsend #CRYBHA pic.twitter.com/yvfRazyVAe
— Barrako (@jj_balmer) March 9, 2019
He draws the challenge from Propper and gladly drifts into it, he's heading away from goal and has few other options on in the area. It's a crafty bit of guile from the winger and that intelligent piece of play sadly proved to be the definitive moment of quality for his side.
BRIGHTON
Key Talking Point
Derbies are expected to be fierce contests and Brighton were quick to match their fans furore. There were a few over eager challenges, Knockaert's very quick booking could have easily been a red had it come later in the game.
Watching that Knockaert challenge after 20 seconds like...#CRYBHA pic.twitter.com/uSAESXmzpZ
— Goal (@goal) March 9, 2019
Anthony Knockaert's 28 second yellow card is the fastest booking in the Premier League in 10 years!
— 90min (@90min_Football) March 9, 2019
Someone was certainly listening to their manager's instructions to get stuck in early. . .#CRYBHA pic.twitter.com/rkpq6xXcIg
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Ryan (7), Fernandes (6), Dunk (8), Duffy (6), Montoya (5), Jahanbakhsh (6), Propper (5), Stephens (6), Bissouma (5), Knockaert (7), Murray (8)*
Substitutes: March (7), Locadia (6)
STAR MAN - Glenn Murray rolled back the years to haunt his former club once again, that's four goals in four games against Crystal Palace. The 35-year-old took his first and only chance of the game with a wonderful volley.
Benteke looking at Murray thumping one in first time from the bench, and realising he was sold for 7 times as much... #CPFC #PremierLeague #CrystalPalace #CRYBHA #BHA pic.twitter.com/cjmsxRm5ql
— Curt (@WonderfulWanba) March 9, 2019
Gambling on a long ball from Lewis Dunk, Murray made no mistake when the opportunity presented itself, leaving Guaita no chance with his curling effort. It was a typical performance from Murray showing why he remains an important attacking threat for the Seagulls.
Looking Ahead
Crystal Palace face a FA Cup quarter-final tie with Watford
Brighton have a similar schedule, they face Championship side Millwall
Source : 90min