Oliver Glasner’s men came away from the South Coast with three points, recording their first victory in two months and thirteen games.
Those of a Palace persuasion didn’t care how they got the win, just as long as they did after 12 games without a win.
Brighton’s form was not too dissimilar, winning just once in 12 outings coming into the fixture.
It showed. An intense, low-quality game went the Eagles’ way as Ismaila Sarr converted midway through the second half, beating the Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen. It was their first shot on target.
Palace have stopped the rot – pretty or not.
Sitting on 32 points, with the next two Premier League games against the bottom two at home, there is a real opportunity to dispel any relegation fears in the coming weeks, following a heavy fall down the table.
The Seagulls are also looking anxiously over their shoulder. Their fans vented frustration at coach Fabian Hurzeler, who had to deal with shouts of “You don’t know what you’re doing” and “Sacked in the morning”.
Dominant defence
This felt a little more like the Glasner’s team from earlier in the season, built on a solid defensive platform, where the back three barely put a foot wrong.
The ever-reliable Jefferson Lerma stepped up to the plate at the Amex, turning in an outstanding performance.
The Colombian was imperious, showing his athleticism and superb reading of the game, alongside Chris Richards and Maxence Lacroix.
Clean sheets have been hard to come by of late, with the last coming against Aston Villa a month ago.
Those shutouts were the foundation of the team’s success earlier in the campaign, and without a replacement for Marc Guehi, Lerma’s display provided much-needed reassurance.
Dean Henderson, who wasn’t shy in responding to taunts from the home fans behind his goal in the first half, was only called upon once to protect the lead in the last quarter, blocking with his legs from Charalampos Kostoulas.
Setting off on the right foot
Record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen started and loan recruit Even Guessand joined early in the second half, replacing the subdued Yeremy Pino in the left 10 role.
As first impressions go, both returned to London having made a positive impact. Fans enjoy players who put in the hard yards – Strand Larsen’s work rate will make him a very popular figure in SE25.
The Norwegian centre-forward showed a real willingness from the first whistle, chasing down every lost cause. The new man had a couple of sights of goal as the game wore on and may consider himself unfortunate not to register on his debut.
He garnered adulation from the away crowd from the off, though it seemed a dig firmly pointed at Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Guessand made an immediate impact from the bench, showing flashes of what Palace fans may expect from him.
The Aston Villa loanee was able to enjoy his first goal involvement in the red and blue – or should that be gold – seizing on Lewis Dunk’s header to play in Sarr to net the only goal of the game.
The Ivorian struggled at Villa Park following his summer move, and it is hoped that his new surroundings may kick-start his season.
His contribution at Brighton means he will be pushing for a start in midweek when Palace entertain Burnley.
