CRYSTAL PALACE completed a league double over rivals Brighton for the first time in the top flight in a match that featured THREE red cards.
The Eagles are once again timing their sprint finish to a season to perfection, while Brightonarein danger ofblowing up.
The old timers in theHolmesdaleRoad stand will have celebrated long into the night after seeing Palace complete a league double over Brighton for the first time since theywere both playingin the Southern League in 1933.
But this well-deserved victory, secured with nine men after Eddie Nketiah and Marc Guehi were both sent off for picking up two bookings, is more significant for its impact on both club’s short-term futures.
After failing to win their first eight games of the season Palace could yet end it in Europe, having already booked a visit to Wembley to face Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi-final at the end of the month.
Oliver Glasner’s side have a game in hand and moved to within two points of eighth-placed Brighton, who have lost three straight games in a nightmare week that began with an agonising FA Cup quarter-final penalty shootout defeat to Nottingham Forest.
With this victory extending Palace’s unbeaten run to seven matches The Eagles will fancy their chances of qualifying for Europe through league position for the first time in their history.
Goals at the start of each half from Jean-PhillipeMatetaand Daniel Munoz secured what wasultimately afairly comfortablevictory for Palace, with Eberechi Eze creating both.
The 26-year-old picked a good afternoon to impress in front of watching England manager Thomas Tuchel, who will also have noted some smart saves from Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Mateta’s first goal in the third minute was celebrated with an outpouring of emotion, as it was his first since sustaining the horrific ear injury thatrequired25 stitches following Liam Robert’s infamous karate kick in Palace’s FA Cup win over Millwall last month.
The French striker was played into space on the left edge of Brighton box by Eze with no obvious route to goal, but turned to create a shooting opportunity before beating Bart Verbruggen with a left-foot curler.
Lifted by the early goal Palace continued to play with confidence, while Brighton looked sluggish.
A long ball fromHenderson caught the visitors out in the 10thminute, with Eze going close to doubling their lead.
It took a brilliant double save from Henderson to preserve Palace’s lead in the 13th minute however.
The England goalkeeper did well to get his outstretched left arm down to stop Carlos Baleba’s long-range shot before blocking Welbeck’s follow-up at close range.
Henderson could do nothing about Brighton’s 31st minute equaliser, although the same could not be said of Palace defenders Jefferson Lerma and Maxence Lacroix, who allowed Welbeck to sneak in between them to volley in from a brilliant cross from the right from Yankuba Minteh.
At the age of 34 and with six years since his last call-up, Welbeck’s international career isalmost certainlyover, but his form has been outstanding all season.
IfTuchel can call upJordan Hendersonthen anything may be possible.
Eze on the other hand could represent England’s future, particularly if he can reproduce the flashes of individual brilliance he showed here on a more regular basis.
Palace’s second goal of the afternoon in the 55thminutewas Eze at his best.
Hebegan acounter-attackfrom deepin his own half, effortlessly and elegantly carrying the ball into enemy territory,before spotting Munoz in space on the opposite flank.
The cross-field pass to release Munoz was exquisite, although it still left the Colombian international with a lot to do as he cut in from the right to score at the far post.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler responded with a double attacking substitution, with Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra coming on for Matt O’Riley and Minteh respectively, but there was no immediate impact.
Glasner also made a change, with Nketiah replacing Mateta, who understandably received a standing ovation for his efforts.
It wasNketiahwho made his presence felt soonest, with theformer Arsenal striker having a strongappeal for a penalty following a tussle with Pervis Estupian.
Referee Anthony Taylor felt he went down too easily however and waved him away, as well as showing him ayellow card, which looked a harsh decision.
Nketiah paid the ultimate price when his afternoon was ended prematurely after just 11 minutes on the pitch when Taylor showed him a red after a second yellow, although on this occasion he could have few complaints.
The 25-year-old has been in a rich vein of form with three goals in his last five appearances, and his desire to continue got the better of him.
A rash challengefor the ball withJan Paul van Hecke saw him raise his foot far too high, and on other occasions he would have seen a straight red.
Guehi was also sent off for a second yellow at the start of an epic 12-minute period of injury time, which left Palace hanging on for dear life.
Brightonwereunable to take advantage however,and alsolost a man in added timeVan Hecke was sent off for a cynicalfoul on Daichi Kamada.
While Palace are flying Brighton are stuttering at the wrongtime, andwill be nervously looking over their shoulders.
