Brighton 0 - 1 Crystal Palace - Eagles edge evenly-matched derby

Jordan Ayew celebrates with Christian Benteke after giving Crystal Palace a second-half lead. Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

One goal was enough to settle a tightly fought battle between rivals Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace this afternoon (Saturday, February 29).

It was an even first half with chances at both ends but the game's most heated moment came after a spat between Albion substitute Ezequiel Schelotto and Crystal Palace's Wilfred Zaha.

On the pitch, Solly March twice went close for Brighton but Benteke could, and probably should, have put the Eagles ahead a few minutes in when he put a scuffed volley wide.

Brighton dictated the play for much of the second half but it was Palace who struck the killer blow when Mat Ryan couldn't get a strong enough hand behind Jordan Ayew's effort.

Despite finishing the game with more than double their opponents' efforts on goal, Albion couldn't find a way past Vincente Guaita signalling a disappointing derby defeat.

Nothing separates the sides in heated first half

Brighton head coach Graham Potter admitted he was excited by the prospect of his first home match against rivals Crystal Palace. The clash took on added importance on Saturday lunchtime, with Brighton just four points above the Premier League relegation zone and with games to come against Wolves, Arsenal and Leicester next month, and there are meetings with Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City in April.

Potter made three changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw at Sheffield United with Leandro Trossard, Martin Montoya and Solly March replacing Shane Duffy, Glenn Murray and Ezequiel Schelotto.

Albion were also boosted by the return of midfielder Dale Stephens, who made the bench, after missing two games with a groin injury. It was a day of century landmarks as Lewis Dunk marked 100 Premier League appearances whilst Davy Propper made his 100th appearance for the club.

Roy Hodgson, who took charge of Crystal Palace for the 100th time in the Premier League, stuck with the side that started the 1-0 win over Newcastle.

Brighton, as expected, started with more of the ball against a Palace side which thrives on the counter attack. Albion, following a great wing-back to wing-back cross, went close with Neal Maupay firing wide from a difficult angle.

However, the Eagles had the game's first real opening, with Christian Benteke getting on the end of a good through ball. With only the keeper to beat, the striker didn't get the connection he would have wanted on the volley and it went harmlessly wide of the target