Brighton's unbeaten home run in the Premier League this season ended after a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium.
In the so-called 'M23 derby', Ismaila Sarr scored a brace and Trevo Chalupa was also on the scoresheet, as Palace extended their unbeaten run to five matches.
Brighton pulled one back late on through a Mark Guehi own goal but it was the Eagles who climbed higher than the Seagulls on the south coast to move up to 15th in the table.
Brighton's defeat saw them drop two places to ninth and means Fabian Horzler's side are now without a win in four games.
Great day at the seaside with my friends.#CPFC // #human pic.twitter.com/YlRTHKySI1
– Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) December 15, 2024
The home side's first big moment came when Joao Pedro played in Kaoru Mitoma but the skilful winger could only fire the ball into Dean Henderson's legs from a tight angle.
From there, Brighton carried plenty of early threat. But it was Palace who opened the scoring after 26 minutes.
A dangerous corner kick by Will Hughes – in his 100th appearance for the visitors – was not dealt with by the hosts, allowing Chalobah to fire the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen kept the score at 1-0 after a wonderful save on two shots from Sarr and Daniel Munoz.
But just moments later, Palace doubled their lead when Sarr headed in at the back post from Tyreek Mitchell's deep cross.
Tyreek Mitchell sends the ball to Ismaila Sarr and Crystal Palace doubles their lead in the derby! 😳🦅 pic.twitter.com/OhfJIXo6Sa
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2024
Suddenly Glasner's side raised its tails. Horzler's men looked shocked. Eberechi Eze had a great chance to put Palace ahead, but sent his header wide.
After the break, Brighton brought on Julio Enciso in an attempt to salvage something from the game, while Yankuba Menté and Carlos Paleba tried to motivate the home fans.
From a free-kick, Henderson beat Lewis Dunk's header before Enciso again made a fine save from the Palace keeper when he tipped the Paraguayan's shot around the post.
It was now a one-way affair as Brighton desperately tried not to give up their unbeaten home league record. But the palace defense was steadfast.
“Saar puts the stamp on a glorious afternoon for Crystal Palace!” 😍🦅 pic.twitter.com/rrhCjCnc7b
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 15, 2024
Substitute Brajan Gruda took a deflected free kick that hit the top of the net. Pervis Estupinan shot wide.
But it was an unforgettable day for the palace on the south coast. Eight minutes from time, Sarr stumbled and sent a low cross under Verbruggen for his second goal of the game.
Guehi scored an unfortunate own goal in what proved to be little more than a consolation for Brighton, while Eddie Nketiah shot wide when he should have scored the fourth.
In the end, it was the away support that would take the M23 home with points and certainly bragging rights.
