Anthony Knockaert scores sensational winner as Brighton beat Crystal Palace
The two rivals met at Selhurst Park
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Anthony Knockaert thumped in a sensational winner as Brighton beat rivals Crystal Palace in a pulsating game on Saturday afternoon.
Glenn Murray opened the scoring in the first-half against his former team before Luka Milovojevic's scored from the spot to level matters after the break.
But the bragging rights were stolen late as Knockaert cut in from right and curled in an unstoppable left-foot strike into the top corner.
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load
Hello and welcome along to live coverage of Crystal Palace vs Brighton, also known as the A23 derby! The South Downs dust-up! The cross-Crawley conflict! OK, I made some of those up, but the point is that these two clubs, which seemingly have absolutely nothing in common, have a passionate rivalry so incongruous to their geography that it cannot be truly captured by any of the usual derby nicknames. Callum Rice-Coates will be along shortly with all the team news and build-up, but in the meantime here's a quick brush up on why there's so much at stake between these two unlikely rivals:
The teams are in!
Palace: Guaita; Wan Bissaka, Dann, Tomkins, Van Aanholt, Townsend, McArthur, Milivojevic, Schlupp, Batshuayi, Zaha.
Brighton: Ryan, Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Bissouma, Stephens, Propper, Knockaert, Andone, Jahanbakhsh.
A rivalry based on recent feuds rather than geographical location, this is an important game for both sides.
Brighton, in particular, are in need of points to put some distance between themselves and the bottom three. Chris Hughton’s side, having looked comfortable in midtable for most of the season, endured a run of seven games without a win that saw them slip dangerously close to the relegation zone.
But they returned to winning ways last weekend, edging to victory against bottom side Huddersfield at the Amex Stadium thanks to a late goal from Florin Andone. Today's trip to Selhurst Park is likely to be more difficult. Crystal Palace have moved away from trouble with two wins from their last three, including impressive away victories at Leicester and Burnley, and will be in confident mood for the visit of Brighton. Wilfried Zaha is a man in form, having scored four in his last four league appearances, so the Seagulls will be wary of the threat he poses.
Palace have been better away from home this season, which might encourage their rivals. Goals have been hard to come by at Selhurst Park, too. Let's hope for some this afternoon.
Roy Hodgson takes charge of his 300th match as a manager in England today. His first game came back in 1982, a 0-0 draw between Bristol City and Huddersfield.
There's been a late change to Brighton's starting XI. Top scorer Glenn Murray, who had originally been named on the bench, replaces Florin Andone after the Romanian picked up a knock in the warm-up. He'll be hoping to add another to his tally against his former club.
The teams are out at a bouncing Selhurst Park. Kick off is almost upon us!
The hosts get us underway! Can they end their poor run of form at home?
Crystal Palace 0-0 Brighton
1 minute
There's a booking within seconds as Brighton's Knockaert goes in recklessly on Milivojevic. That could easily have been a sending off.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments