Crystal Palace snapped a nine-game winless run in the Premier League by edging local rivals Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 at the Amex Stadium on Sunday. The victory was a huge morale boost for Palace manager Oliver Glasner and his players, who had struggled for consistency in recent months.
The decisive moment came in the second half when Ismaïla Sarr fired home the only goal of the game, lifting Palace out of their slump and moving them up to 13th place in the league standings. This result also pushed them nine points clear of the relegation zone, easing some pressure in what has been a difficult period for the south London club.
Glasner, visibly relieved after the final whistle, described the win as a “relief” and praised his team’s compact performance and aggression throughout the 90 minutes. That sense of relief was echoed by fans and pundits alike, who had watched Palace struggle to find form since late last year.
How the Match Played Out
The contest itself was a tight, tactical battle with limited clear chances for both sides. Palace’s breakthrough came in the 61st minute when Sarr reacted quickest to a chance created by substitute Evann Guessand, lifting a composed finish over Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen — and marking his 10th goal of the season in all competitions.
That strike was Palace’s first shot on target before it found the net, underlining how tight and cautious the game had been up to that point. Brighton, in contrast, struggled to carve out clear opportunities despite enjoying stretches of possession.
Palace keeper Dean Henderson made an important contribution with a key save late in the match to preserve the lead, denying Brighton a route back into the game.
Context: Long Road Back to Victory
While many outlets referred to a nine-game winless run in league matches, broader coverage notes that Palace actually ended a 12-match winless run in all competitions with this victory. Prior to this, their last competitive win came back in mid-December against Shelbourne in the Conference League.
Whatever the precise count, this result marked a significant turnaround in momentum for a Palace side that had been struggling for results. The fans’ patience had been tested — and after months of frustration, Sunday’s win delivered much-needed confidence and breathing room ahead of the run-in to the end of the season.
Brighton’s Struggles Persist
For Brighton and Hove Albion, the loss compounds a worrying run of form. The Seagulls have now taken just two wins in their last 12 Premier League matches, and supporters at the Amex Stadium expressed their dissatisfaction with the team and head coach Fabian Hürzeler during and after the match. Chants suggesting he could be sacked have been reported, in light of disappointing results that have seen the club slump down the table compared with pre-season expectations.
Brighton’s attacking play lacked sharpness, and they were unable to find the quality chances needed to break down Palace’s organised defence. Despite several tactical changes and substitutions in the second half, the home side couldn’t find a way to breach Henderson’s goal.
Standout Performances and Player Impact
Ismaïla Sarr was the standout performer for Palace — his composed finish ultimately deciding a match that could easily have gone either way. The win not only lifted morale but also demonstrated his value as a consistent attacking threat, especially important as Palace look to secure Premier League safety with a comfortable mid-table finish.
Substitute Evann Guessand deserves credit too for making an immediate impact in his debut, setting up the decisive goal. His involvement highlighted how fresh legs and tactical changes can alter the pattern of a match, even in tightly contested local derbies.
On the Brighton side, young talents also featured; 17-year-old Harry Howell made his first Premier League start, showing promise despite the disappointing result.
What the Win Means for Palace’s Season
Ending a protracted run without victory is about more than just one match — it can often signal a psychological breakthrough. For Palace, this win not only boosts confidence but also provides crucial points in the battle to secure Premier League safety. Moving to 13th with 32 points gives them a cushion that could prove decisive as the season unfolds.
Manager Oliver Glasner’s tactics paid off in a fixture where experience and defensive organisation were at a premium. The Eagles’ ability to grind out a result away from home in a derby — and against a direct rival — speaks to a resilience that might not have been evident in their earlier winless sequence.
Looking Ahead: Palace and Brighton Intentions
For Crystal Palace, the focus now shifts to building on this positive result. Back-to-back performances with similar grit and sharpness could see them climb further up the table and solidify their place well clear of relegation trouble.
Brighton, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. With fans restless and momentum slipping, finding solutions — particularly in attack — will be crucial if they want to return to the form that saw them challenge for European spots earlier in the season.
Sunday’s derby result perhaps encapsulates the unpredictable nature of the Premier League: even in a mid-table clash, passion, rivalry and a decisive moment of quality can change the trajectory of a club’s season. Crystal Palace, having finally ended their long wait for victory, will be hoping this marks the start of a more consistent run — one that turns struggle into stability as they approach the business end of the campaign.
