Ismaila Sarr’s impressive double helped Crystal Palace secure a vital 2-1 victory against Brighton, marking the home side’s first loss of the season. Trevoh Chalobah gave Palace the lead in the 27th minute with a powerful shot that found the roof of the net from close range, following a chaotic scramble in the six-yard box. It was a deserved goal for Palace, who had been pressing for an opener. Six minutes later, Tyrick Mitchell’s precise curling cross found Sarr at the far post, allowing him to head in the second goal and double the Eagles’ advantage. The quick succession of goals gave Brighton a mountain to climb and left the home fans stunned by their team’s inability to respond effectively.
Brighton tried to mount a comeback in the second half, bringing on Julio Enciso to provide a spark in attack. The Paraguay international had an immediate impact, forcing Palace back into their defensive shape as Brighton controlled large spells of the match. Despite the pressure, Crystal Palace’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson making a series of crucial saves, including a superb stop from Lewis Dunk’s header and another to deny Enciso. However, Brighton finally found a way to score through a strange own goal by Palace’s Marc Guehi, who unwittingly diverted a clearance into his own net off a ricochet from Maxence Lacroix’s shot. This moment provided a brief glimmer of hope for the home side, but Palace held on to secure their first league victory over Brighton since 2021.
The win moves Crystal Palace four points clear of the relegation zone, a significant boost as they look to climb the Premier League standings. With their next fixture against Brighton being so crucial, the Eagles will be relieved to have taken maximum points and shown resilience when under pressure. The victory also highlights the impact of Ismaila Sarr, whose two goals proved decisive in a match where Palace could have easily been overrun. This triumph is a testament to their defensive solidity and the ability to capitalize on set-piece situations, a critical aspect of their game plan going forward. Crystal Palace now face a tough run of fixtures, but this win will undoubtedly give them confidence heading into the busy festive period.
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