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Ismaila Sarr scores the much-needed winner for Palace - Tony O'Brien/Reuters
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Ismaïla Sarr struck a second-half winner as Crystal Palace halted a miserable 12-match winless run by snatching victory at bitter rivals Brighton.
Forward Sarr, who scored twice in Palace’s 3-1 success at the Amex Stadium last season, fired home in the 61st minute to settle a tight encounter.
Victory for Palace was a first in all competitions since December 11 and lifted them to 13th – a point above their hosts.
Brighton were booed off at full time after home supporters vented displeasure at head coach Fabian Hürzeler by chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” in the closing stages of a match in which they created little.
Albion, who would have gone into the top half of the table with three points, have now won just one of their last 12 top-flight fixtures.
Palace handed a debut to £48m club-record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen as part of two changes, while Brighton’s three alterations included a first Premier League start for 17-year-old midfielder Harry Howell.
A heavy police presence outside the ground indicated the importance of this fixture to the two sets of fans, but passion on the terraces was not matched by entertainment on the pitch in a dour first half.
Lewis Dunk glanced off target from a Pascal Gross free-kick before Palace defender Maxence Lacroix blocked a powerful effort from Maxim De Cuyper with his left thigh.
Palace grew into the contest to end a scrappy opening period in the ascendancy.
A series of long throws from Chris Richards caused Brighton some concern before Sarr sliced wide in the 43rd minute after being played in by Daniel Muñoz.
November’s reverse fixture at Selhurst Park ended goalless and, based on the opening hour, a similar outcome here seemed a distinct possibility.
However, a minute later as substitute Evann Guessand made an instant impact on his debut for Palace.
The Ivory Coast forward, who has joined on loan from Aston Villa, seized on a poor headed clearance from Dunk to slip in Sarr, who took his time before finishing beyond Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
At the other end, Dean Henderson denied Charalampos Kostoulas an equaliser by saving with his legs four minutes later.
Hurzeler responded to the deficit with a triple change in the 71st minute, introducing Diego Gómez, Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck in place of De Cuyper, Carlos Baleba and Howell, which prompted chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” from some supporters.
Strand Larsen twice threatened to double Palace’s lead before they comfortably held on during six minutes of added time to claim bragging rights and a first Premier League win since a 2-1 victory at Fulham on December 7.
04:32pm
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Crystal Palace’s 1-0 victory over Brighton to an end, as Oliver Glasner’s men ended a run of nine league games without a win.
As for Brighton, they have now won just one of their last 12 league games, and have slipped down to 14th. Thanks for joining us!
04:30pm
Glasner: ‘We want to get addicted to winning again’
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s a lot of relief. I told the players we can talk about it and do everything, but you need to win and that’s what they did today. Congratulations to them. Maybe it wasn’t the best Premier League game ever, but both teams were fighting hard. Feeling absolutely great.
“It was the clean sheet that helped us. First half, we didn’t create enough, it’s normal with players in their first competitive game together. Sarr wins the second ball and then it’s a great run. Today we took the chance. 10 minutes later, they had a similar situation, but Dean saved the ball.
“It’s quality and decision making. He scored with his left, but it’s the quality of Guessend. He’s strong and clever. It’s getting used to the intensity of the Premier League. Jorgen Strand Larsen was working so hard for the team. I think we gave them one chance. A huge team effort and that’s what we needed.
“It’s the experience. In tight games, it’s all about consistency. We played well in the other games, but we make one mistake and get punished. We were good in defence. We did the basics right.
On Strand Larsen: “It’s the effort. He will get better and better. I told him after the game in three or four weeks, he will know where to pass it. He’s not used to the way we are playing. His effort and presence. He defended the set plays well. He was a constant threat and that’s very positive.
“It’s important to stay humble. We had some barbecues and tried to keep he mood positive at the training ground but nothing can replace winning. We want to get addicted to winning again.”
04:25pm
Happy hunting ground
Ismaila Sarr has now scored three goals away at Brighton in the Premier League, meaning he has scored more goals at the Amex than any other away venue in the competition, according to Opta.
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Ismaila Sarr breaks the deadlock against Brighton - Tony O'Brien/Reuters
04:22pm
Brighton struggle to create
Brighton managed only one shot in the second half, having gone behind just 16 minutes after half-time.
04:19pm
Strand Larsen: ‘What a way to start my Crystal Palace career’
Jorgen Strand Larsen speaking to Sky Sports after his Palace debut: “I had cramps all over at the finish. It was an unbelievable atmosphere and what a way to start my Crystal Palace career, with a win in a derby. We are really happy.
“Really important with the run without wins. So for me to come in and help the team win the first game in a long time is really important. The fans backed us a lot today and were signing all game. It gave us lots of energy. I think this is the most intense game I’ve ever played so really tired but it was worth it.
“I think you see today that I got a few chances. The style of play suits me. It is intense, high pressure and we had a few chances. The more we train together they will know my qualities. I think I had a good game today but there is a lot of improvement as well but a really good start to my journey here.
“I feel like the first six months at Wolves [this season] was tough. I wish it was different because I loved the club and it was hard taking the next step but it was something I needed to do.”
04:17pm
Liverpool host City
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Liverpool are hosting Manchester City in a massive game towards the top of the table.
You can follow our coverage of this one here.
04:14pm
Brighton’s rotten run
Brighton now have just one win in their last 12 league games since climbing up to fifth at the end of November. Will pressure be starting to mount on Hurzeler?
04:10pm
Up next
Crystal Palace will look to build on today’s victory with a home win against Burnley on Wednesday.
Brighton, meanwhile, have the trickier prospect of a trip to Villa Park.
04:06pm
Joy and despair
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Dean Henderson celebrates Crystal Palace’s winning goal - Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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Lewis Dunk reacts at full time - Glyn Kirk/Getty Images
04:04pm
Palace climb above Brighton
The victory takes Palace from 15th to 13th, climbing ahead of Tottenham and Brighton, who drop to 14th and remain just eight points above the drop zone.
04:02pm
Watch: The winning goal
03:57pm
Full time: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
The full-time whistle comes and boos ring around the Amex. It is a massive win for Palace, ending their nine-match run without three points in the league and their 12-match run without a victory in all competitions.
03:56pm
90+6 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Brighton lump the ball forward but Dunk gives away the foul on Lerma and that may just be that.
03:55pm
90+4 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Palace nearly seal it! Strand Larsen lays the ball out to Munoz down the visitors’ right and the wing-back drives on before returning the favour to the new signing just inside the area, but his sweeping strike his saved by Verbruggen.
03:53pm
90+3 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Minteh knocks the ball around Munoz and is body-checked to the floor by the wing-back, who is very fortunate to avoid a second yellow card.
The free-kick is launched into the box by the hosts but Lerma is there to win yet another header.
03:51pm
90+1 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
There will be six minutes added on at the end of this one. Can Palace hang on?
03:51pm
90 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Mitoma manages to bring a long ball down in the area but, after getting caught under the pass, Richards recovers to make a vital challenge.
Boscagli is penalised for a challenge on Strand Larsen, who then stays down with cramp, and Palace are nearing the finish line.
03:48pm
88 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Gomez pulls Sarr back on halfway and earns himself a booking. Palace will take their time over situations like this in these final minutes.
Wharton floats it into the area but Brighton can clear and break into space down their right. It’s pinged out to Gross in the left of the area, but after laying it back to Minteh, the winger plays it back to him and he is well offside.
Another Palace change now with Johnson on for Sarr, who is currently the matchwinner.
03:45pm
85 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Guessand nibbles at Gross in midfield, giving away the free-kick, and the German will take the opportunity to send a delivery into the area.
Lacroix comfortably wins the header through and Palace can clear. Strand Larsen goes into the book for a tug back on O’Riley.
03:43pm
82 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Brighton win a corner down their left but Strand Larsen wins the header at the near post and Munoz lashes a clearance downfield.
Brighton’s final changes now, with O’Riley, on his return from Marseille, and Hinshelwood coming on for Rutter and Kostoulas. No record-equalling appearance for Milner today.
03:41pm
81 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Brighton defender Boscagli is down now and in some pain, so will require some treatment. He is eventually back on his feet and we are back underway.
Lerma manages to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick, getting in front of Welbeck, and the pair exchange some heated words. They then come together again moments later and that is definitely a battle to keep an eye on in the closing stages.
03:37pm
77 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Gross is getting plenty of the ball now for the hosts and you feel if Brighton are to get back in this, he may well be involved.
Another change now from Glasner, with Kamada, on his return from injury, replacing Hughes, who was on a yellow.
03:34pm
74 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Strand Larsen latches onto a sloppy pass from Mitoma back towards the Brighton defence and drives into the right of the box, but his low driven effort from a tight angle is saved by Verbruggen.
It leads to a Palace throw, which is launched into the box by Rutter and headed behind for a corner by Welbeck. Strand Larsen gets his head to it, but it goes well over the bar.
03:31pm
71 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Wharton wins the ball back and strides through midfield before combining with Munoz and delivering a cross towards the back post, but it has too much on it and goes out for a goal-kick.
A triple-change from Hurzeler now, with Baleba, De Cuyper and Howell making way and Gomez, Welbeck and Minteh coming on for the final 20 minutes.
03:28pm
67 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
The visitors win a corner down their right and Lerma gets to Wharton’s delivery ahead of a flapping Verbruggen but the Palace man’s header goes over the bar.
03:27pm
65 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1
Brighton look for the instant response with Kostoulas being played in on goal, in the left of the area, but his low, right-footed strike is saved by the legs of Henderson.
The young striker was just looking to open his body to send his effort into the far corner but it was too close to the Palace keeper.
03:23pm
GOAL! Sarr fires Palace ahead
Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 1 (Sarr) Palace are ahead and it’s one of their new signings at the heart of it.
Guessand latches onto a loose ball on halfway and carries it forward before playing in Sarr towards the edge of the box.
The forward drives into the area before firing home past Verbruggen, with his finish brushing off the goalkeeper’s head.
It’s their first shot on target this afternoon!
03:20pm
59 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
A really scrappy exchange ends with Hughes being fouled by Rutter and the visitors take the chance to load the box.
It’s Hughes on set-piece duties and he picks out the head of Lerma but Mitoma latches onto the loose ball before being brought down by Lerma.
03:16pm
56 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Baleba does well to get away from a couple of Palace midfielders and he dinks a nicely-weighted ball over the top looking for Mitoma but Henderson is quick off his line to claim it.
The first change of the afternoon now with Pino making way and Guessand coming on for his Palace debut after his January loan move from Villa.
03:13pm
52 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Dunk’s raking ball forward picks out the inward run of Mitoma this time and the winger gathers it on his chest, but Munoz tucks in well to get between man and ball.
03:10pm
49 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Howell turns really nicely down Brighton’s right, springing a promising attack, but Gross’ final cross into the box is dealt with by Munoz at the back post.
Down the other end and Strand Larsen is slid into the right of the area but Dunk is across well to make the sliding challenge.
03:08pm
47 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Baleba turns smartly on the edge of the box and is lining one up but Howell takes it off his toes at the last second. The Cameroon international not too happy with that intervention.
03:06pm
46 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
We are back underway at the Amex with the home side kicking things off, going from left to right in this second period.
There are no changes from either side at the break.
03:04pm
Will we see a goal?
The last three halves of football between Brighton and Palace have been goalless. Will this barren run end in the next 45 minutes? The second half gets underway shortly.
02:59pm
Brighton’s first-half struggles
Brighton have failed to score in the opening 45 minutes of eight of their last 11 Premier League games.
Only Nottingham Forest and Sunderland (9) have scored fewer first half goals than Brighton (10) in the competition this season.
02:57pm
Chances at a premium
It’s been a game of few chances, perhaps unsurprisingly given the two teams’ goalscoring form of late.
Brighton have produced the only shot on target of the match, with Palace managing just two efforts and neither testing Verbruggen.
The visitors have created an xG of just 0.05.
02:50pm
Half-time: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
After quite a bit of treatment, Mitoma is back to his feet, with some kind of dressing in his nose.
There is about 30 seconds of action before the half-time whistle brings this opening period to an end.
02:47pm
45+2 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
There will be two minutes added on at the end of this first half.
Mitoma goes down under the challenge of Lerma, holding his face, and the game is paused for a moment. The winger was just caught as he fell to the floor, so it’s not a foul, but he is requiring some treatment.
02:44pm
44 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Lerma rises highest to meet the Hughes corner but his header goes wide of the left post. Sarr was nearly able to direct it goal-bound but he was in an offside position.
Baleba then gives the ball away in midfield and Sarr drives really powerfully into the right of the box but he flashes a strike wide of the near post.
02:42pm
41 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Palace put a nice move together, with Wharton sweeping the ball out to Munoz on the right, and the wing-back flashes a dangerous cross into the box but Dunk is there to head it behind for a corner.
Brighton make the clearance, but can only send it for a throw, which is launched back into box and leads to another corner for the visitors.
02:40pm
39 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Brighton produce a couple of efforts from the edge of the area but Rutter’s strike is blocked by Lerma, and De Cuyper’s follow-up shot flashes a few yards wide of the right post.
Down the other end, Palace launch another throw into the box and Lacroix wins the flick-on at the near post, but Baleba’s clearance deflects off Strand Larsen and out for a goal-kick. That could have gone anywhere, though.
02:38pm
37 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
That previous free-kick was given for a foul by Mitoma on Munoz and replays show the winger actually caught him in the face with his arm, but VAR did check and clear it. Maybe somewhat fortunate there, Mitoma.
Mitoma is found with a nice a ball in behind but the flag goes up. Moments later and Rutter looks to burst past Lerma into the left of the area, but he fouls the makeshift defender.
02:36pm
35 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Palace win a free-kick down their right and, once again, it’s pinged towards the back post.
The visitors win a series of headers before the ball drops to Wharton on the edge of the area, but his strike on his weaker right foot goes high and wide.
02:34pm
32 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Mitoma beats Munoz on the outside before delivering a low ball into the six-yard box but Kostoulous can’t quite make contact with it after making the run across his man at the near post.
The ball drops to De Cuyper in the centre of the box but his lashed effort is blocked. The full-back takes aim again from the edge of the box a few moments later but this effort is a tame one.
02:31pm
30 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
The game has become slightly stretched in the last few moments, with Brighton breaking well down their right following the Palace free-kick.
Kadioglu’s cross is headed away and Palace look for the immediate counter back down the other end. Sarr is found on the edge of the box but Rutter comes in strongly, and fairly according to the referee.
Sarr stays down holding his face, bringing about a pause in the game. Replays show that Rutter may well have caught him in the head with his shoulder, but there will be no further action.
02:28pm
28 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Boscagli gives away a really needless foul as he chases Sarr into Palace’s right channel and shoves him to the floor.
But Hughes’ inswinging delivery is dealt with by the hosts, with Mitoma completing the clearance.
02:27pm
26 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Brighton are definitely looking to pull off the long ball over the top to pick out the run of Mitoma. They have attempted it on three or four occasions already.
Maybe they see midfielder Lerma dropping into the right of defence as a potential weakness to target.
02:25pm
24 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Midway through the opening period and Palace are yet to have a shot. It’s not quite been the start Strand Larsen was hoping for. A long way to go, though!
02:23pm
23 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Howell wastes a good opportunity to slide Kadioglu into the right of the box as Mitchell intercepts his pass, but he makes amends, tracking the wing-back the other way and making the challenge.
02:20pm
19 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Hughes goes in strongly on Rutter and becomes the first player to go into the book. It’s maybe a harsh call, with the midfielder appearing to pull out slightly as he slid into the tackle.
But Brighton now have a free-kick in a really promising position, over to their right on the edge of the area. It’s a wonderful outswinging delivery from Gross that picks out the head of Dunk, but the defender glances his effort wide of the left post.
It’s the best chance of the match so far!
02:15pm
15 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Brighton look to spring a counter following the Palace free-kick but Henderson is off his line well to deal with a ball in behind for Mitoma.
Back down the other end, Sarr is nearly slipped in on goal, but Boscagli gets a vital touch on the pass and the flag then goes up anyway.
02:14pm
14 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Wharton skips past Baleba with a sublime first touch and the Brighton midfielder can only clip the Englishman’s heels, giving away the free-kick in a dangerous position.
It’s floated into the box by Pino, picking out Lerma in space around the back, but his header back across goal is cut out.
02:11pm
11 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Howell starts a Brighton attack with a smart turn past Hughes, who looks to bring down the youngster, and though the move comes to nothing, it has certainly been a bright start from the academy product.
02:09pm
9 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Mitoma makes a darting run in behind from the left wing and he is nearly found with a long ball over the top but it’s just out of reach of the Japan international.
02:07pm
7 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Palace are really looking to press Brighton when the hosts are playing out from the back, with Strand Larsen leading the pressure with a lot of intent.
They nearly win it back on the edge of the Brighton box but can’t quite get their foot on the loose ball and Hurzeler’s men clear.
02:05pm
5 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
It’s panic stations for Palace as Dunk nods the corner back into the centre of the box and Lacroix can only prod it behind for another corner, down Brighton’s left.
It’s another good delivery from Gross to the back post and Dunk attacks it well once more, but his header pings over the bar.
02:04pm
4 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
Richards launches his first long throw of the day into the Brighton box and it’s flicked on by Lerma but Brighton scramble it clear.
The hosts break with pace, with Howell spraying the ball out to Rutter on the left, and the forward drives into the box before winning a corner.
02:02pm
2 mins: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
For Palace, it’s looking like Lacroix is at the heart of the back three, as usual, with Richards switching over to his left and Lerma to his right.
For the home side, Dunk starts in the right of central defence, with Boscagli to his left.
02:00pm
1 min: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Crystal Palace 0
We are underway at the Amex, with Palace kicking things off, going from left to right in this opening period.
01:56pm
Kick-off approaching
We are just a few minutes away from kick-off at the Amex, with the players now emerging from the tunnel.
01:54pm
Strand Larsen set for Palace debut
Jorgen Strand Larsen leads the line for Crystal Palace this afternoon following his deadline-day move from Wolves.
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Jorgen Strand Larsen - Adam Davy/PA
01:48pm
One to watch
Fabien Hurzeler is handing 17-year-old Harry Howell his first Premier League start this afternoon.
The academy product, who is the cousin of Jack Hinshelwood, became the club’s youngest-ever player in the Premier League when he made his debut in May.
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Harry Howell in action for Brighton last season - Ian Walton/AP
01:45pm
At stake today
Victory for Brighton this afternoon would see them climb from 13th to 10th, going ahead of Fulham and Bournemouth on goal difference.
As for Palace, a win on the South Coast would see them go from 15th to 13th, ahead of Tottenham as well as their opponents this afternoon.
01:42pm
Decline in form for both teams
Following the goalless ‘M23 derby’ at Selhurst Park in November, successive wins for Brtighton saw them climb up to fifth by the end of the month, while Palace broke into the top four after victory against Fulham a week later.
However, the South Coast side have won just one of their last 11 league games, while Oliver Glasner’s men are without victory in their last nine.
It leaves the two rivals now looking down rather than up, starting the afternoon in 13th and 15th, respectively, with Brighton just eight points above the drop zone, while Palace’s buffer is just six.
01:38pm
Brighton strong at home
In the last two seasons, the only ever-present clubs to lose fewer home Premier League games than Brighton (4) are Liverpool and Arsenal (3 each).
Fabien Hurzeler’s side have lost just two of their last 20 at the Amex (W10 D8), both against Aston Villa (0-3 in April 2025, 3-4 in December 2025).
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Brighton have been tough to beat at home - Steve Bardens/Getty Images
01:34pm
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01:32pm
Glasner on Strand Larsen’s arrival
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to Sky Sports on Jorgen Strand Larsen’s debut: “He had a good week, like all the others and now it’s getting his team-mates known and he showed all week that he can score goals inside the box.
“He needs the balls in there and good crosses and other players arriving in good places for him. It feels like a restart.
“We are step by step integrating new players. When you start with two or three new players up front, they are not used to the new tactics we are playing. You need time.
“That’s why we decided for Yeremy and Ismaila and Brennen can have a good impact. This gives us more options and we need it. We need consistency. It gives us a good feeling.
“I hope we show it. We didn’t have this consistency and in the back we have to sort our defensive three. These are all the thoughts. Kamada is back and available for maybe 30 minutes. We hope to improve.”
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Crystal Palace’s new striker Jorgen Strand Larsen - Bradley Collyer/PA
01:28pm
Glasner: ‘We need to be more ruthless’
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler speaking to Sky Sports: “We need to be more ruthless and these are the kinds of things we can influence. If we improve this, I am sure we will get the rewards for this.
“Don’t adapt to the opponents, style of play. Stick to your own principles and qualities. It is our stadium and we try to give our supporters a big performance and hopefully the win they deserve.”
This ruthlessness may be referring to the fact that Brighton have won just one of their last four Premier League matches when going ahead.
01:25pm
Both sides struggling
Since the start of December, only Wolves (6) and Burnley (5) have won fewer points in the Premier League than both Brighton and Crystal Palace (9 each).
The south London club have the joint-worst goal difference in that time (minus 10 – scored 8, conceded 18).
Since the start of Palace’s nine game winless Premier League run, Glasner’s men have scored the fewest goals (5) and underperformed their xG by just over eight goals (13.3 xG), which the worst differential in the league.
The second-worst in this time is Brighton (9 goals, 13.5 xG, -4.5).
01:21pm
Hurzeler ‘pleased O’Riley is back’
Matt O’Riley is back in the Brighton squad after being recalled from his loan to Marseille.
Asked about the Denmark midfielder, Brighton boss Fabien Hurzeler said: “He offers us experience and a danger in the opponents’ box.
“We are pleased that he is back because he is not only a good player but has a good character which fits in to our values.”
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Matt O’Riley spent the first half of this season at Marseille - Yves Herman/Reuters
01:16pm
Head-to-head
From their 32 meetings in all competitions, Brighton and Palace both have 10 victories to their name, with 12 ending all square.
Brighton are without a win in the last three meetings, with the reverse fixture in November finishing goalless and Palace doing the double over their rivals last season.
01:11pm
‘I’ve learned to accept situations’ - Glasner on Palace’s deadline-day drama
Following the collapse of Mateta’s move to Milan, Palace boss Glasner said: “I’ve learned to accept situations. My wish of course, and everyone at the club, would have been that JP gets what he wants and we get Jorgen [Strand Larsen] and Dwight McNeil into the building and Marc Guehi’s replacement into the building.”
“To be honest it was not a big surprise to everyone that he could fail [the medical]. We knew that this can happen and he knew it.
“There are two ways we can do this - manage the knee like we have until after the World Cup, which is JP’s dream to play in. The other one is he undergoes surgery. We don’t know how long he would be out. We will decide next week.”
On McNeil’s transfer falling through on deadline day, the Austrian said: “McNeil was the last one we thought we could finalise but in the last minutes the terms of the deal changed again and the deal failed. I expected him and planned for him in the next day’s training.”
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Oliver Glasner shakes hands with Jean-Philippe Mateta - Julian Finney/Getty Images
01:06pm
Palace’s hectic deadline day
On what was a quiet January deadline day generally in the Premier League, there was plenty going on at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace completed the signing of striker Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves in a club-record deal worth up to £48m.
The south London club made their move for the Norway forward with Jean Philippe-Mateta looking set to join AC Milan. But the Frenchman’s switch broke down on deadline day, partly because of the knee issues he has been suffering with in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Palace looked set to acquire the services of Dwight McNeil in the final hours of the window in a deal worth £20m, with the 26-year-old completing his medical and agreeing terms on a four-and-a-half-year contract, but they pulled out at the last minute.
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Everton’s Dwight McNeil looked set for a deadline day move to Palace - Jacob King/PA
01:01pm
‘Inredible’ Milner one away from record
If James Milner features this afternoon, he will reach 653 Premier League appearances, equalling Gareth Barry’s all-time record.
Asked about the midfielder this week, Brighton boss Fabien Hurzeler said: “He will definitely be in the squad. He is a role model and a great character to work with. Playing and training at the level he plays, it is incredible what he is doing.
“I think it will be a special thing for him but he is also focused on the ambitions of the club.”
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Brighton midfielder James Milner - Glyn Kirk/Getty Images
12:54pm
Those line-ups in full
Brighton: Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Boscagli, Dunk, De Cuyper; Howell, Baleba, Gross; Rutter, Kostoulas, Mitoma.
Subs: Hinshelwood, O’Riley, Gomez, Welbeck, Milner, Minteh, Steele, Veltman, Julio.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lerma, Lacroix; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Sarr, Strand Larsen, Pino.
Subs: Benitez, Clyne, Canvot, Kamada, Guessand, Riad, Uche, Johnson, Sosa.
12:52pm
Glasner makes two changes - Strand Larsen starts
There are two changes to Crystal Palace’s side following their draw at Nottingham Forest, as Wharton returns from his suspension in place of Riad, while Glasner hands Strand Larsen his Palace debut, with the striker replacing fellow January signing Johnson.
Guessand is on the bench following his loan signing from Villa.
Jørgen Strand Larsen starts
Your Palace XI pic.twitter.com/7Ie49uKaD3
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 8, 2026
12:48pm
Brighton make three changes - Van Hecke not in squad
Fabien Hurzeler has made three changes to the Brighton team that started in the draw against Everton, bringing in Kostoulas, Boscagli and Howell to replace Welbeck, Van Hecke and Ayari.
O’Riley is on the bench after he was recalled from his loan at Marseille.
12:37pm
Injury news - Gomez returns for Brighton, numbers back for Palace
Brighton boss Fabien Hurzeler confirmed this week Diego Gomez is back and available for selection, while Mats Wieffer is close to a return, but Yasin Ayari will not be available after suffering a shoulder injury against Everton.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Daichi Kamada is available, while Borna Sosa also returns and Adam Wharton is back in contention after his one-match suspension.
Justin Devenny is “close” but today’s game is “maybe too early”, though “he should be fine” for Wednesday’s game with Burnley.
Glasner added: “The only ones are Cheick Doucoure – there’s still a long way to go for him – and Eddie Nketiah is not ready, but all others are back and available.”
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Adam Wharton missed the trip to Nottingham Forest following his red card against Chelsea - Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
12:30pm
Rivals meet at Amex looking to end rotten runs
Good afternoon, and welcome to live coverage of Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace from the Premier League, with both sides looking to end dismal streaks of form that have seen them slide down the table.
Following the goalless ‘M23 derby’ at Selhurst Park in November, successive wins for Fabien Hurzeler’s side saw them climb up to fifth by the end of the month, while Palace broke into the top four after victory against Fulham a week later.
However, the South Coast side, denied victory in stoppage-time against Everton last time out, have won just one of their last 11 league games, while Oliver Glasner’s men are without victory in their last nine.
It leaves the two rivals now looking down rather than up, starting the afternoon in 13th and 15th, respectively, with Brighton just eight points above the drop zone, while Palace’s buffer is just six.
The greater concern, though, is undoubtedly growing at Palace, whose poor league form has been accompanied since the turn of the year by an FA Cup exit against Non-League Macclesfield, the departure of captain Marc Guehi and a frustrated Glasner confirming he will leave the club at the end of the season.
The visiting supporters will look for optimism in the arrival of Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves on deadline day. Despite a disappointing campaign this time around, the Norway forward bagged 14 goals in the league last season.
The 26-year-old will offer an alternative to an out-of-sorts Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose proposed January move to AC Milan broke down, partly because of an ongoing knee issue, which has ruled him out of this afternoon’s trip to the Amex.
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