England’s answer to Quagliarella: Winners & losers from Crystal Palace 1-2 Brighton

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Brighton and Hove Albion took another big step to Premier League safety with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Glenn Murray gave the away side the lead after 20 minutes with a controlled half-volley despite Palace’s early dominance.

Luka Milivojevic equalised from the penalty spot shortly after half-time which looked to tip the game back in Palace’s favour but Anthony Knockaert hit the winner 15 minutes from time with a stunning effort from outside the area.

But, who were the winners and losers?

Winner: Glenn Murray

When the teams were announced an hour before kick-off, there was some confusion among both Brighton and Crystal Palace fans to see Glenn Murray – responsible for one third of the Seagulls’ Premier League goals this season – listed on the bench.

Instead, Chris Hughton had decided to start Romanian Florin Andone as Brighton’s striker, perhaps looking to catch Palace out. Unfortunately for Andone, he would not make it to kick-off, picking up an injury in the warm up. Fortunately for Hughton, he did still have Murray to call on.

Playing against his former side, Murray had an extremely quiet opening 20 minutes, managing just three touches. However, with his fourth, the 35-year-old gave Brighton the lead.

It was a simple enough goal with Lewis Dunk launching the ball up the pitch. Murray bested James Tomkins and hit a first-time effort into the bottom left corner to give Brighton an unlikely lead.

The goal continued Murray’s run in scoring against his former side to four in a row across all competitions but also brought up his 100th league effort for Brighton, only the second player to do so for the club.

Loser: Roy Hodgson

Crystal Palace went into Saturday’s game the form team, with three wins in their past five games compared to Brighton’s one.

And, despite their poor home form in general this season, things were looking positive going up against their rivals. Not since October 2005 had Palace lost to Brighton at home, a run of eight games including six wins and two draws.

But that run came to an end on Saturday as Palace came up against a Brighton defence too stern to penetrate from open play, despite dominating.

The Eagles had an impressive 15 shots throughout the game compared to their opponents’ four, but just three of those hit the target – the same amount as Brighton, who scored twice.

And, while Palace remain eight points clear of the relegation zone with eight games remaining and the Eagles look certain to retain their Premier League status, Hodgson would have undoubtedly been hoping for a win to see them all-but safe.

Winner: Anthony Knockaert

After 30 seconds of Saturday’s crunch clash, Anthony Knockaert’s game could have gone one of two ways.

The Frenchman went in hard on Milivojevic with a rash tackle which could have easily been seen as red-card worthy. But referee Craig Pawson only deemed it bad enough for a yellow and Knockaert was allowed to continue, unknowingly shaping the result.

Knockaert wasn’t brilliant in attack, alongside his Brighton team-mates as Palace dominated, and the 27-year-old failed to create a single chance and completed just one dribble.

But, just as Chris Hughton was ready to take him off, Knockaert made sure the game would be his, beating Patrick van Aanholt and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top left corner – sealing all three points for Brighton with his final touch.

A goal worthy of winning any Premier League derby, it was fittingly the first goal Brighton had scored in the division from outside the area this season.

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Loser: James Tomkins

In a game as tight as a derby, defences need to be tough and not give opponents any opportunities to score.

But, unfortunately for Palace, James Tomkins gave Brighton the perfect gift to take control of the game despite their uninspiring stat.

Palace were in control in the opening 20 minutes with Brighton front man Murray managing just three touches. But Tomkins and Scott Dann would have still been cautious of the 35-year-old’s danger when given an opportunity.

So when Tomkins messed up his attempted header from Lewis Dunk’s long ball forward, the centre-back’s heart would have sunk, seeing Murray chasing onto the ball behind him.

Murray made no mistake with his finish and Tomkins was punished for an error of judgment. And, unfortunately for Tomkins, Brighton’s defence were not as generous as his own with the away side keeping Palace’s attack at bay from open play, eventually taking all three points.

Winner: Lewis Dunk

Derbies, no matter how weird they are, often call for a monumental performance to be the real difference, and they can come from any position on the pitch.

Though Murray and Knockaert got the all-important goals, it was Lewis Dunk who stepped up to the occasion to help his side move level on points with their bitter rivals in the Premier League.

Dunk was key in organising Brighton’s perfect back line, set up to frustrate the dangerous attacking trio of Wilfried Zaha, Michy Batshuayi and Andros Townsend. In the first half, Palace had nine shots on goal, five of which were blocked and only two hitting the target.

One of those shots blocked came courtesy of Dunk, who produced a brilliant last-ditch challenge to stop Zaha from equalising from inside the box after 30 minutes, with Ivorian looking certain to score.

Despite Palace equalising shortly after half-time from the penalty spot, Dunk’s fine display continued after half-time, once again flinging himself in the way of a shot in injury-time, this time putting off Jeffrey Schlupp as he looked to snatch a late point.

Winner: Luka Milivojevic

From the start it looked like it was going to be a tough game for Luka Milivojevic as the Serbian was subject to some rough challenges early on, including one after 28 seconds which could have seen Anthony Knockaert sent off – though only a yellow was awarded.

But Palace’s captain got past the hard treatment and proceeded to dominate the midfield for his side, with everything the Eagles created going through him. In the first half this was not as effective as Roy Hodgson would have hoped, as Brighton managed to hold Palace off, but after half-time he made his difference.

When Palace were awarded a penalty five minutes into the second half, there was only one man who would be stepping up to take it. Since joining the club in 2017, Milivojevic has attempted 19 penalties in the Premier League. The Serbian has scored 17 of those – nine more than any other player in the division during that time.

Milivojevic, in fact, has only scored four goals for Palace not from the penalty spot during his two years at the club to date but is the Eagles’ top scorer since his signing, scoring one more than Wilfried Zaha.

The post England’s answer to Quagliarella: Winners & losers from Crystal Palace 1-2 Brighton appeared first on Squawka News.



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