Jordan Ayew’s goal earned Crystal Palace a smash-and-grab win over fierce rivals Brighton.
Palace had not beaten the Seagulls since April 2018 and that run looked set to be extended on Saturday before Ayew broke free and claimed all three points with his seventh Premier League goal of the season – equalling his best-ever tally in the top-flight.
Roy Hodgson welcomed captain Luka Milivojevic back to his matchday squad on the south coast after illness, but opted to stick with the same starting XI which had brought about a first win of the calendar year last weekend against Newcastle.
Christian Benteke, despite Hodgson having all of his strikers available once more, has been given a show of faith by the Palace manager.
The Belgian scored his first goal of the season at Everton before the winter break and was starting his fourth consecutive Premier League game here, his longest run in the League starting XI since August 2018.
He was gifted a chance to return that faith inside four minutes.
James McArthur, after a clever turn in the centre circle, drove forward and clipped an inviting pass over for Benteke, who swung at the dropping ball and skewed well wide.
Despite his poor form in front of goal, Benteke remains a nuisance for defenders and he then rose high above the Brighton backline to head into the path of Cheikhou Kouyate, who would have had a clear shot at goal from close range if a poor touch hadn’t allowed Martin Montoya to scramble back and slow things down.
Wilfried Zaha was making what many expect to be his final appearance in this fixture.
The 27-year-old has a career-high six goals against the Seagulls and was not going to let this one pass without incident.
Trotting over to collect a ball which had run out of play, Zaha suddenly clashed with Brighton substitute Ezequiel Schelotto, who kicked the ball at Zaha’s shins – sparking a ferocious reaction.
Zaha continued hostilities with the Brighton sub as he trotted back to the bench and again when he re-emerged to warm up 10 minutes later.
It could have sparked Palace into life, but they began to drop off, allowing their hosts a string of tame efforts all easily dealt with by Vicente Guaita.
That was until Solly March was presented with a golden chance for the opener.
Found unmarked at Palace’s far post by Leandro Trossard, Guaita could have done nothing to stop Brighton taking the lead, but March could only fire into the side netting.
Palace responded with Zaha’s first real impact on the actual game, driving down the left cutting right before winning a corner from which Gary Cahill headed over.
Hodgson was forced into a change at the break, with Jairo Riedewald summoned to replace the injury James McCarthy, as the Eagles continued to cede control of proceedings to Brighton.
Palace were afforded quite the stroke of luck when Lewis Dunk’s early second-half header found the face of team-mate Neal Maupay instead of the back of the net, before the former Brentford striker drew a stop from Guaita after a sliding challenge from Riedewald had sent him clean through.
Benteke collected a loose ball on the left-hand side and drove inward, waiting for the perfect chance to slide through Ayew.
The Belgian found Palace’s no9 with wonderful timing, allowing the Ghanaian to strike straightaway, with the effort clipping Mat Ryan’s legs before nestling in the back of the net.
A vintage Palace away performance saw them claim bragging rights until next season.
The win also moved them 12 points clear of the drop and left their rivals still waiting for a first win of 2020 and loitering nervously on the periphery of the relegation zone.
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