CRYSTAL PALACE 1
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1
PREMIER LEAGUE - at SELHURST PARK, SOUTH LONDON.
Next stop for the Albion was a trip to Selhurst Park for the M23 derby against arch-rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier, "live" in front of the Sky Sports cameras and broadcast over the airwaves on Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous Premier League outing on the 17 December, the Seagulls lost 0-2 at Arsenal and Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made four changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Jack Hinshelwood, Igor Julio, Carlos Baleba and Joao Pedro coming in for Joel Veltman (injured), James Milner, Adam Lallana and Evan Ferguson.
Last time out Palace had earned a surprise 2-2 draw at Manchester City in the Premier on the 16 December and Manager Roy Hodgson made three changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes and Jordan Ayew replacing Joel Ward (injured), Jairo Riedewald and Jeffrey Schlupp.
In the teams meetings in the Premier last season, they drew 1-1 at Selhurst Park on the 11 February 2023, with Solly March (63m) netting for the Seagulls and James Tomkins (69m) equalising for the Palace. In the reverse fixture at the Amex on the 15 March 2023, the Albion won 1-0, with the winning goal coming from Solly March.
There was a cautious start from both sides but it was the Seagulls who created the first chance when Jack Hinshelwood found Simon Adringa who unleashed a shot from twenty yards out but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson made a good save to deny the winger. Next, Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen was called into action when saving Jean-Philippe Mateta's shot from the edge of the box. Palace then enjoyed a good spell but Jan Paul Van Hecke and then Billy Gilmour produced fine defensive blocks to thwart efforts by Jordan Ayew and the lively Mateta. Pascal Gross then stung the fingers of keeper Henderson with a shot from fifteen yards out. On the stroke of half-time Albion keeper Verbruggen made a hash of a clearance, gifting the ball to Michael Olise, who found Will Hughes whose cross was headed home by the unmarked Ayew. 0-1. Palace were lucky to be leading at the break.
Half-time 0-1.
Albion made a double substitution at the start of the second-half, with Facundo Buonanotte replacing Carlos Baleba and Danny Welbeck replacing Adringa. The changes breathed life into the Seagulls and a number of opportunities were created and squandered by the Albion. Welbeck's header hit Ayew and bounced wide, Lewis Dunk's header narrowly missed the target, Kaoru Mitoma's shot was easily held by Henderson, the Palace keeper then made an excellent save to keep out a well-struck shot by Gilmour and Hinshelwood shot wide from Gross's precise cross. It had been all Albion from the start of the second-half. In an isolated sortie, Van Hecke made an excellent defensive block to prevent substitute Eberechi Eze from adding to Palace's lead. On 82 minutes the Albion scored the equaliser their play richly deserved when Gross's superb cross was headed home by Welbeck to level the score. 1-1. The Seagulls went for the winner, Joao Pedro had his goal-bound shot blocked by Joachim Andersen and Welbeck's header was punched clear by Henderson.
Final-score 1-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 18 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 1 corner, free-kicks conceded - 11.
Palace had 11 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
VERDICT
The Albion had an excellent second-half, creating but wasting a number of chances. Danny Welbeck, who came on as a second-half substitute, made a difference and scored with an excellent header. It was the fourth successive 1-1 draw between the teams at Selhurst Park.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart Verbruggen; Jack Hinshelwood (Adam Lallana 75), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Igor Julio; Carlos Baleba (Facundo Buonanotte 46), Billy Gilmour; Simon Adringa (Danny Welbeck 46), Pascal Gross, Kaoru Mitoma (Jakub Moder 53); Joao Pedro.
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), James Milner, Mahmoud Dahoud, Evan Ferguson, Leigh Kavanagh.
Crystal Palace line-up (4-3-3):- Dean Henderson; Nathaniel Clyne, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Jefferson Lerma, Chris Richards, Will Hughes (David Ozoh 59); Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jordan Ayew (Eberechi Eze 70).
Subs not used: Remi Matthews (G/K), James Tomkins, Matheus Franca De Oliveira, Jeffrey Schlupp, Malcolm Ebiowei, Naouiro Ahamada, Jairo Riedewald.
Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Igor Julio, Carlos Baleba.
Crystal Palace: 5 - Dean Henderson, Tyrick Mitchell, Will Hughes, David Ozoh, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Possession: Albion - 66%. Crystal Palace - 34%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Billy Gilmour (Albion).
Attendance: 24171.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
28 DECEMBER 2023 - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - home - Premier ---Brighton won 4-2!
2 JANUARY 2024 - WEST HAM UNITED - away - Premier League - kick-off 19.30. "Live" on Sky Sports.