Crystal Palace secured a vital victory against Brighton, ending a prolonged period without a win in the Premier League. The match, a heated derby, saw Ismaila Sarr emerge as the decisive player, scoring the game's only goal. This win not only provided a much-needed boost for Palace but also allowed them to leapfrog Brighton in the league standings.
Key Events and Timeline
The match concluded Crystal Palace's nine-match winless run in the Premier League. The lone goal, scored by Ismaila Sarr, came in the 61st minute. Brighton had opportunities, including a header from Lewis Dunk from a Pascal Gross free-kick, and an effort from Maxim De Cuyper blocked by Maxence Lacroix. Palace also had chances to extend their lead through Jorgen Strand Larsen, who twice came close in added time. The victory was Palace's first in all competitions since December 11, and their first Premier League win since December 7.
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December 7: Crystal Palace last won a Premier League match against Fulham.
January 30: Ismaila Sarr joined Crystal Palace on loan from Aston Villa.
Matchday: Ismaila Sarr scored the winning goal in the 61st minute.
Added Time: Jorgen Strand Larsen had chances to increase the lead.
Post-Match: Crystal Palace climbed to 13th place, one point above Brighton.
Match Dynamics and Key Performances
Brighton began the match with an early advantage in possession, creating the first significant chance. However, Crystal Palace's defense, marshaled by players like Maxence Lacroix, proved effective in blocking Brighton's attempts.
Brighton's Early Pressure: Brighton dominated possession in the initial stages, with Lewis Dunk heading a Pascal Gross free-kick wide.
Palace's Defensive Stands: Maxence Lacroix made a crucial block against Maxim De Cuyper.
The Decisive Goal: Ismaila Sarr capitalized on a misdirected header from Lewis Dunk, scoring the game's only goal.
Missed Opportunities: Both teams had further chances, with Jorgen Strand Larsen narrowly missing an opportunity to double Palace's lead.
Player Contributions
Ismaila Sarr was the central figure in this match, scoring the winning goal. His performance was highlighted across multiple reports.
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| Player | Team | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Ismaila Sarr | Crystal Palace | Scored the winning goal. |
| Lewis Dunk | Brighton | Poor header clearance led to Palace's goal. |
| Maxence Lacroix | Crystal Palace | Blocked a shot from Maxim De Cuyper. |
| Jorgen Strand Larsen | Crystal Palace | Had chances to score a second goal late in the match. |
| Evann Guessand | Crystal Palace | Substitute who made an impact shortly after coming on. |
| Bart Verbruggen | Brighton | Goalkeeper beaten by Ismaila Sarr's shot. |
League Standings and Implications
This victory had a tangible effect on the Premier League table, moving Crystal Palace above their M23 rivals.
Crystal Palace: Rose to 13th place, one point ahead of Brighton.
Brighton: Dropped to 14th place, one point behind Palace.
Relegation Battle: Palace moved nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Tactical Observations
The match saw Crystal Palace employ effective defensive tactics and capitalize on key moments. Brighton's inability to convert their possession into goals was a notable aspect.
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Palace's Counter-Attack: Ismaila Sarr's goal stemmed from a defensive error, showcasing Palace's ability to punish mistakes.
Brighton's Offensive Struggles: Despite controlling possession, Brighton found it difficult to break down Palace's defense effectively.
Defensive Solidity: Reports mention Maxence Lacroix's role in thwarting Brighton's attacks.
Broader Context and Historical Encounters
This result marks a significant shift for Crystal Palace, ending a lengthy winless period. It also continues a pattern observed in previous encounters where Ismaila Sarr has performed well against Brighton. Reports from December 2024 indicate a previous 3-1 victory for Crystal Palace where Ismaila Sarr scored twice. This current win reiterates his importance to the team.
Palace's Winless Run: The victory ended a nine-match winless streak in the Premier League.
Previous Encounter: Ismaila Sarr scored twice in a 3-1 win against Brighton in December 2024.
Brighton's Form: Brighton's winless run extended to four matches.
Sources Used:
Evening Standard: Reports on Crystal Palace snapping their winless run with a derby victory over Brighton, highlighting Ismaila Sarr as the matchwinner.
Link: https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/brighton-crystal-palace-sarr-b1270123.html
Tribal Football: Focuses on Ismaila Sarr proving to be the matchwinner for Crystal Palace in their game against Brighton, noting the team's prior form.
The Telegraph: Covers Brighton fans' reactions to Hurzeler after the defeat by rivals Crystal Palace, detailing the match events including Sarr's goal and Guessand's impact.
Inkl: Reiterates that Ismaila Sarr was the matchwinner for Crystal Palace in their victory over Brighton, ending their winless run and providing details on the goal.
Sportgrill: Reports on Ismaila Sarr's decisive goal that led Crystal Palace to a 1-0 victory over Brighton, ending their Premier League winless streak and details the starting lineups.
Link: https://sportgrill.co.uk/2026/02/08/sarr-fires-palace-to-victory-at-brighton/
Sky Sports: Details a previous match from December 2024 where Ismaila Sarr scored twice in a 3-1 victory for Crystal Palace against Brighton, highlighting Dean Henderson's saves.
Krikya: Provides a tactical breakdown of how Crystal Palace, led by Ismaila Sarr's performance, stunned Brighton 3-1 in a previous encounter, focusing on Sarr's brace and Henderson's goalkeeping.
Newscentraltv: Reports on Ismaila Sarr leading Crystal Palace to a 3-1 victory over Brighton, ending their winless streak against the Seagulls and noting Sarr's role in assists and goals from a previous match.
Link: https://newscentraltv.com/ismaila-sarr-leads-crystal-palace-to-victory-over-brighton/
Premier League: Player profile for Ismaila Sarr, providing his statistics and overview. (Content was too short for extraction).
Link: https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/232185/ismaila-sarr/overview
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