Crystal Palace 1 Brighton 1
Roy Hodgson’s side came into this game after a morale boosting draw with Man City at the Etihad Stadium. They had found themselves two goals down but dug deep and managed to pull off a shock draw, scoring an equaliser deep into added time.
They welcomed Brighton to Selhurst Park, whose form had been indifferent at best this season. They continue to score goals but just as soon as they score them, they seem capable of conceding them also. With Europe to contend with this season De Zerbi was shuffling his pack more than most croupiers.
The visitors always fancy themselves, such is their attacking capabilities. As the ball was worked to the back post to Adingra, he took one touch to get it under his spell and unleashed a right footed shot. Henderson got down well to beat the shot away, knowing Brighton players lurked in the box.
Mitoma then squared up the full back and spotted Gross unmarked to his right. He disguised his pass well before shifting the ball, the Brighton midfielder only had one thing on his mind. As he unleashed a shot from outside the box, Henderson parried it away to frustrate The Seagulls.
Credit: @CPFC
Verbruggen then failed to clear the ball, gifting it to Roy Hodgson’s side. As it was worked to the dangerous Olise, he spotted Ayew at the back post. His perfectly weighted cross gave the Palace striker an easy goal as he headed The Eagles ahead.
The cauldron of noise that is Selhurst Park then erupted. This is everything that Brighton are struggling with at the moment. You have to wonder whether the constant changing of personnel in the starting eleven is affecting their mojo defensively.
In the second half, Brighton continued to knock on the door. Gross was frustrated as his shot was blocked but it broke to Gilmour whose effort seemed to be arrowing into the bottom corner. Sadly for the visitors Henderson didn’t see it that way as he got down to make a smart save.
As Roberto De Zerbi’s side continued to press, a cross found Hinshelwood on the back post. It was a difficult chance as it dropped to him on the half volley with defenders charging towards him. Unfortunately for the teenager, he sent it into the stands.
Palace then countered and Mateta found Eze, he took a touch which allowed defenders to make ground on him. As he looked to bury it in the far corner it was blocked by the lunging challenges of The Seagulls’ defence.
Someone call the police, there has been a robbery. Gross played a cross into the box and Welbeck headed into the top corner, giving Henderson no chance. With less than ten minutes remaining in the game, the visitors struck the ultimate sucker punch.
Credit: @premierleague
Henderson almost went from hero to zero when a hopeful ball was lumped forward and he came out to deal with it. He punched it into the head of Welbeck and time seemed to stand still as everyone waited to see if it was to go in the goal. Luckily for the home fans it went just a yard wide.
The two sides shared the points, De Zerbi will feel they created enough to win this game but apart from the last minute mistake, Dean Henderson was on fine form. Hodgson will be disappointed with the late goal they conceded as a win was within their reach at that point.
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