EPL: Palace Secure Bragging Rights with 2-1 Win over Brighton in Dramatic Derby Clash

Crystal Palace secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the M23 derby, with Daniel Munoz's deflected strike proving decisive in a match marked by three red cards.

Crystal Palace secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over their rivals Brighton & Hove Albion in the M23 derby at Selhurst Park, a match marked by intense drama and three red cards. The win gave Palace bragging rights in the highly anticipated clash.

The match got off to a blistering start, with Brighton's Bart Verbruggen picking the ball out of his own net just five minutes in. Eberechi Eze sparked the attack, releasing Jean-Philippe Mateta behind the Brighton defense. Mateta seized the opportunity, unleashing a powerful left-footed shot that thundered into the top corner of the net, giving Palace an early advantage.

Crystal Palace could have doubled their lead shortly after Mateta's goal, as Eberechi Eze found himself on the receiving end of a clever pass from Dean Henderson. However, Eze's effort was expertly tipped around the post by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, denying Palace a two-goal cushion.

Henderson was back in action soon after, producing a stunning save to deny Carlos Baleba. The Palace stopper then quickly sprang to his feet to thwart Danny Welbeck's follow-up attempt, showcasing his exceptional reflexes and shot-stopping ability. However, Henderson was unable to prevent Brighton from equalizing 10 minutes later, as Welbeck broke free in the area and managed to get a toe to Yankuba Minteh's cross, directing it into the corner of the net.

The match experienced a lull in intensity after halftime, with both teams struggling to create meaningful scoring opportunities. The game was crying out for a spark, and it was Daniel Munoz who provided it. The Palace midfielder collected a pass from Eze and unleashed a shot that found its way into the bottom corner, albeit with the aid of a slight deflection.

The nine men of @CPFC complete a double over Brighton for the first time since 1932/33! 🦅#CRYBHA pic.twitter.com/9y4j38Uz87

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 5, 2025

Despite making four substitutions shortly after falling behind, Brighton struggled to regain their footing in the game. Fabian Hurzeler's tactical changes failed to yield the desired impact, and the Seagulls' chances of forcing a comeback seemed remote. However, their fortunes took a dramatic turn when Palace substitute Eddie Nketiah received a second yellow card for a high boot that caught Jan Paul van Hecke on the head, reducing the hosts to ten men with just under 10 minutes remaining.

The match took another dramatic turn when Marc Guehi was also shown a second yellow card, leaving Palace with just nine men on the field. The fourth official's announcement of 12 minutes of stoppage time only added to the tension, and the hosts were forced to withstand a barrage of Brighton pressure in the closing stages. However, the Seagulls' task became slightly easier when Van Hecke was also dismissed for a second yellow card. Despite the chaos, Palace stood firm to secure a historic first-ever top-flight double over Brighton.