Albion found themselves in a difficult position at halftime, down 2-0 to Crystal Palace due to defensive errors and a lack of confidence. Although their defense had looked shaky early on, they showed signs of improvement in the second half. Lewis Dunk’s powerful header in the 56th minute was saved brilliantly by Henderson, highlighting Brighton’s renewed attacking intent.
However, Brighton’s hopes were dashed in the 83rd minute when Lewis Dunk’s mistake allowed Sarr to score a third goal for Palace, effectively sealing the win for the visitors. Despite this setback, Brighton managed to pull one back with a consolation goal in the 87th minute. An own goal off Guéhi from a corner kick gave the home side a glimmer of hope, but it was not enough to change the course of the game.
The match was not without controversy, as referee Michael Oliver’s decision during a Crystal Palace goal caused frustration for Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler. The referee appeared to obstruct Carlos Baleba during the goal, leading to questions about the officiating and the need for more accountability in such situations.
In the post-match press conference, Hurzeler expressed his disbelief at the referee’s mistake, emphasizing the importance of stopping play when necessary. The manager’s frustration was evident as he called the decision “unbelievable” and stressed the need for more clarity and consistency in officiating. Despite the disappointment of the result, Brighton will look to learn from their mistakes and regroup for upcoming matches.
