A L B I O N G A Z E T T E ( xxix )
8 FEBRUARY 2026
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 CRYSTAL PALACE 1
PREMIER LEAGUE
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Matchday 25 saw the Albion clash with Crystal Palace in the M23 derby in the Premier at the Amex, the match being covered "live" by Sky Sports and broadcast by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their previous game Albion drew 1-1 at home to Everton in the Premier and for the visit of the Eagles the Albion made three changes to their starting line-up from the Everton game, with Olivier Boscagli, Harry Howell and Charalampos Kostoulas coming in for Jan Paul Van Hecke (injured), Yasin Ayari (injured) and Danny Welbeck.
It was 17 year-old Howell's first start for the Albion in the Premier. On the Albion's substitutes bench was Matt O'Riley who had returned prematurely from his loan at Marseille.
Last time out Palace had drawn 1-1 at Nottingham Forest in the Premier on the 1 February and for their visit to the Amex Head Coach Oliver Glasner made two changes to his starting line-up from the Forest game, with Adam Wharton and debutant Jorgen Strand Larsen replacing Chadi Riad and Brennan Johnson.
In their meetings in the Premier last season, Palace did the double over the Albion, winning 3-1 at the Amex on the 15 December 2024, with their goals coming from Ismaila Sarr 2 (33m & 82m) and Trevor Chalobah (27m) whilst Albion's consolation was a Marc Guehi own goal(87m). In the return fixture at Selhurst Park on the 5 April 2025, Palace ran out 2-1 winners,with their goals being scored by Jean-Philippe Mateta (3m) and Daniel Munoz (55m). Albion's goal came from Danny Welbeck (31m).
Previously this season at Selhurst Park on the 9 November 2025 the teams drew 0-0. Both sets of supporters created a raucous atmosphere at the start and the first opportunity fell to the Seagulls but Lewis Dunk headed a good chance wide from a corner, when he should have done better. On 19 minutes Dunk was again the culprit when from an unmarked position he headed a free-kick from Pascal Gross wide of the target - a costly miss.
Next, Maxim De Cuyper saw his goal-bound volley blocked by Eagles defender Maxence Lacroix. Prior to the break a Daniel Munoz through-pass found the on-running Ismaila Sarr but the Senegalese winger fired his shot wide of the Albion goal. A dour first-half ended all-square.
Half-time 0-0.
Aston Villa loanee Evann Guessand was introduced as a substitute by Palace for Yeremy Pino on 56 minutes and within five minutes Guessand's astute through-pass found Sarr who ran on and smashed a rising shot past Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen for Palace's opener. 0-1.
The Seagulls then missed a great chance to equalise when Kaoru Mitoma's pass sent Charalampos Kostoulas clear but Palace keeper Dean Henderson left his line swiftly to block the young Greek striker's shot. At the other end Verbruggen ensured that Jorgen Strand Larsen's volley was beaten away. Another Strand Larsen effort was saved by Verbruggen in time added on.
The Albion players left the field to a chorus of boos from their supporters whilst the Palace team celebrated their win in front of their fans.
Final-score 0-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 7 attempts at goal, with 2 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
Crystal Palace had 7 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 9.
VERDICT - A disappointing and disjointed display by the Albion which incurred the wrath of their supporters. With one win in twelve Premier games, the Albion are plummeting down the table and if the current trend continues the Seagulls will become embroiled in a relegation battle. The position of Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler is also being called into question.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Ferdi KADIOGLU, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Olivier BOSCAGLI, Maxim DE CUYPER (Danny WELBECK 71); Pascal GROSS, Carlos BALEBA (Diego GOMEZ 71); Harry HOWELL (Yankuba MINTEH 71), Georginio RUTTER (Matt O'RILEY 82), Kaoru MITOMA; Charalampos KOSTOULAS (Jack HINSHELWOOD 82).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), James MILNER, Joel VELTMAN, Igor JULIO.
Crystal Palace line-up (3-4-2-1):- Dean HENDERSON (Capt); Jefferson LERMA, Maxence LACROIX, Chris RICHARDS; Daniel MUNOZ, Adam WHARTON, Will HUGHES (Daicha KAMADA 77), Tyrick MITCHELL; Ismaila SARR (Brennan JOHNSON 88), Yeremy PINO (Evann GUESSAND 56); Jorgen STRAND LARSEN.
Subs not used: Walter BENITEZ (G/K), Jaydee CANVOT, Nathaniel CLYNE, Chadi RIAD, Borna SOSA, Christantus UCHE.
Referee: Thomas Bramall (Sheffield).
Fourth Official: Samuel Barrott.
VAR Official: James Bell.
Yellow Cards: Albion: 1 - Diego Gomez. Crystal Palace: 3 - Daniel Munoz, Will Hughes, Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Possession: Albion - 63%. Crystal Palace - 37%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace).
Attendance: 31179.
NEXT GAME:
11 FEBRUARY 2026 - ASTON VILLA - AWAY - PREMIER LEAGUE - KICK-OFF 19.30. "LIVE" ON TNT SPORTS.
Jack Kaye.
11 February 2026.