Crystal Palace vs Brighton - LIVE!
Getting closer but still not getting over the line, Crystal Palace led for most of the second half here at Selhurst Park but rivals Brighton struck late to keep the Eagles winless in a month and a half. Jordan Ayew’s first-half tap-in looked to have lowered the stress levels of those of a Palace persuasion inside Selhurst Park — not least manager Roy Hodgson — until Danny Welbeck’s stunning header earned Brighton a 1-1 draw. Palace stay 15th in the Premier League, nine points above the drop zone but not free of it.
Verbruggen’s clearance only as travelled as far as Olise, who played a one-two with Will Hughes and then crossed right onto the head of Ayew. The Ghana forward had the simplest task, and duly nodded home to send the Palace supporters into pre-half-time pandemonium. This was the first time the Eagles had scored a first-half goal since November 11.
Hodgson and Joachim Andersen applauded Palace’s home supporters as they headed down the tunnel, but they were fully aware that they were still 45 minutes from registering their first home win since September 3 against Wolves. That wait goes on, after Welbeck's looping header found the top corner with ten minutes remaining.
