Brighton & Hove Albion closed the gap on the European spots with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium. Solly March’s 15th-minute strike was enough to secure all three points for the Seagulls, who can now move to just two points off fifth-placed Newcastle.
The game started with pre-match drama as Crystal Palace No1 Vicente Guaita was ruled out through injury, replaced by 19-year-old academy goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. The young player performed admirably. However, one might argue that he could have contributed more to Brighton’s first goal in the 15th minute.
Odsonne Edouard, who had a great start to the game, was the first player to have a shot on goal, but he missed the target after only two minutes. Jason Steele was compelled to make a brilliant stop as Michael Olise was put through into the 18-yard box. But Brighton took the lead against the run of play, as Kaoru Mitoma‘s sublime pass found March, who drove a firm shot past Whitworth and into the net.
Due to Cheick Doucoure’s two late challenges, the visitors should have finished the first half with ten men instead of nine. Referee Peter Bankes, who had a goal incorrectly overturned by VAR at Selhurst Park less than a month prior, chose not to intervene, adding to Brighton’s displeasure in this game.
Except for a brief power outage at the second half’s opening, Brighton controlled possession for most of the game but occasionally lacked the finesse to score a second.
With some skillful play on the left side of the field by Alexis Mac Allister and Pervis Estupinan, the Seagulls put Whitworth to the test early on. Still, the latter’s cross-in was seen away by the young keeper’s outstretched leg.
Crystal Palace did push for an equalizer in the dying moments, with Eberechi Eze playing a neat ball to Naouirou Ahamada in the fourth of nine added minutes. But the French youngster could not find the target, and Brighton held on for their sixth consecutive Premier League win at the Amex Stadium.
Crystal Palace extends their winless run to 12 games and has scored just four league goals this season, leaving them just three points from the relegation zone. The result marks a significant step forward for Brighton, who has now put themselves firmly in the race for European qualification. Meanwhile, the pressure is mounting for Crystal Palace after a dismal start to the season.