Crystal Palace scored with both of their two efforts on target
Christian Benteke's stoppage-time goal gave Crystal Palace a smash-and-grab Premier League win at rivals Brighton, who are now in danger of being drawn into a relegation battle.
The visitors had opened the scoring against the run of play, with Jean-Philippe Mateta backheeling Jordan Ayew's cross in from their first attack of the game.
But Brighton's dominance in possession though was rewarded with an equaliser after the break when Joel Veltman swept a left-foot effort into the bottom-right corner.
The hosts spurned several excellent chances to go ahead before Benteke superbly volleyed in the winner against the run of play in the final minute of added time.
It proved to be a remarkable conclusion to the contest with Brighton enjoying 75% of the ball, registering 25 shots on goal to Palace's three and forcing 13 corners while conceding none.
The result sees Palace move up a place to 13th but the Seagulls remain 16th, just four points above a resurgent Fulham in 18th.
- How Brighton v Crystal Palace unfolded
Wasteful Brighton rue missed chances
Having come into this fixture on the back of a six-game unbeaten run Brighton fans could have been forgiven for looking at the second half of the season with optimism.
However, they will now be concerned at the prospect of their side being dragged into a fight for top-flight survival over the coming months.
While Graham Potter's side play adventurous and easy-on-the-eye football, their ability to score goals has undoubtedly contributed to their current predicament.
Ten days after frustratingly failing to convert any of their 26 shots on goal against Aston Villa, they at least went one better this time around courtesy of their Dutch international defender Veltman.
But Potter will desperately hope that his forward players can now step up and provide the firepower that they will need to edge to safety.
The likes of top scorer Neal Maupay, who has scored just three goals in his last 19 Premier League appearances, endured another difficult evening, while Danny Welbeck, Lewis Dunk, Pascal Gross and Adam Lallana were all wasteful when presented with good opportunities.
Hodgson's plan works to perfection
Arriving on the south coast without the influential Wilfried Zaha, and after disappointing defeats to Leeds and Burnley, few would have expected Palace to collect maximum points from this encounter.
However, while the manner in which they achieved it was extraordinary, manager Roy Hodgson will be delighted by the way his side rolled up their sleeves and soaked up sustained periods of pressure.
He will also feel vindicated by the five changes he made to his team from their defeat at Turf Moor.
Joel Ward and Tyrick Mitchell both completed their defensive duties diligently, while no player made more clearances than Gary Cahill (nine) at the heart of the Eagles' defence.
On-loan Mainz forward Mateta had the physical presence to hold off Ben White before scoring a delightful opener, while Andros Townsend, another player returning to Hodgson's starting XI, dug out a wonderful late cross for Benteke to score the winner.
More to follow.
Player of the match
BentekeChristian Benteke
with an average of 8.01
-
BrightonBrighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & Hove Albion
Crystal PalaceCrystal PalaceCrystal Palace
Brighton & Hove Albion
Avg
Squad number34Player nameVeltman
Average rating
5.58
Squad number5Player nameDunk
Average rating
5.09
Squad number10Player nameMac Allister
Average rating
4.89
Squad number33Player nameBurn
Average rating
4.86
Squad number26Player nameSánchez
Average rating
4.84
Squad number18Player nameWelbeck
Average rating
4.71
Squad number11Player nameTrossard
Average rating
4.70
Squad number8Player nameBissouma
Average rating
4.68
Squad number13Player nameGroß
Average rating
4.66
Squad number3Player nameWhite
Average rating
4.65
Squad number14Player nameLallana
Average rating
4.63
Squad number17Player nameAlzate
Average rating
4.37
Squad number16Player nameJahanbakhsh
Average rating
4.29
Squad number9Player nameMaupay
Average rating
4.28
Crystal Palace
Avg
Squad number20Player nameBenteke
Average rating
8.01
Squad number9Player nameJ Ayew
Average rating
7.40
Squad number24Player nameCahill
Average rating
7.34
Squad number14Player nameMateta
Average rating
6.90
Squad number8Player nameKouyaté
Average rating
6.87
Squad number31Player nameGuaita
Average rating
6.86
Squad number10Player nameTownsend
Average rating
6.83
Squad number2Player nameWard
Average rating
6.61
Squad number27Player nameMitchell
Average rating
6.51
Squad number22Player nameMcCarthy
Average rating
6.33
Squad number25Player nameEze
Average rating
6.31
Squad number44Player nameRiedewald
Average rating
6.24
Squad number4Player nameMilivojevic
Average rating
5.83
-
Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Brighton
Formation 3-4-2-1
26Sánchez
3White5Dunk33Burn
34Veltman13Groß8Bissouma17Alzate
11Trossard10Mac Allister
9Maupay
26Sánchez
3White
5Dunk
33BurnBooked at 53mins
34VeltmanBooked at 84mins
13GroßSubstituted forJahanbakhshat 81'minutes
8Bissouma
17AlzateSubstituted forWelbeckat 45'minutes
11Trossard
10Mac AllisterSubstituted forLallanaat 68'minutes
9Maupay
Substitutes
7Connolly
14Lallana
15Moder
16Jahanbakhsh
18Welbeck
22Tau
23Steele
24Pröpper
29Zeqiri
Crystal Palace
Formation 4-3-3
31Guaita
2Ward8Kouyaté24Cahill27Mitchell
44Riedewald4Milivojevic25Eze
9J Ayew14Mateta10Townsend
31Guaita
2Ward
8Kouyaté
24Cahill
27Mitchell
44Riedewald
4Milivojevic
25EzeSubstituted forMcCarthyat 90+1'minutes
9J Ayew
14MatetaSubstituted forBentekeat 75'minutes
10Townsend
Substitutes
1Butland
3van Aanholt
6Dann
17Clyne
20Benteke
22McCarthy
23Batshuayi
34Kelly
Referee: Kevin Friend
Match Stats
Home TeamBrightonAway TeamCrystal Palace
Possession
Home75%
Away25%
Shots
Home25
Away3
Shots on Target
Home5
Away2
Corners
Home13
Away0
Fouls
Home11
Away6
Live Text
Post update
Match ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Crystal Palace 2.
90'+7'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Crystal Palace 2.
90'+6'
Post update
Hand ball by Dan Burn (Brighton and Hove Albion).
90'+5' goal
Goal!
Goal! Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Crystal Palace 2. Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Andros Townsend with a cross.
90'+4'
Post update
Yves Bissouma (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+4'
Post update
Foul by Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace).
90'+1'
Substitution
Substitution, Crystal Palace. James McCarthy replaces Eberechi Eze.
90'
Post update
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Tyrick Mitchell.
90'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Danny Welbeck (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
89'
Post update
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Gary Cahill.
89'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Danny Welbeck.
84'
Booking
Joël Veltman (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
84'
Post update
Foul by Joël Veltman (Brighton and Hove Albion).
84'
Post update
Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'
Post update
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Joel Ward.
81'
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Alireza Jahanbakhsh replaces Pascal Groß.
78'
Post update
Attempt missed. Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Luka Milivojevic with a headed pass.
77'
Post update
Foul by Dan Burn (Brighton and Hove Albion).
77'
Post update
Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
75'
Substitution
Substitution, Crystal Palace. Christian Benteke replaces Jean-Philippe Mateta.
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Source: bbc.com