Jordan Ayew’s second-half goal ensured Brighton’s dismal start to 2020 continued as Crystal Palace edged a tight affair at Amex Stadium.
The result leaves Palace nestled safely in mid-table, while the Seagulls sit four points above the bottom three, having drawn five and lost four of their past nine games in all competitions, since their victory over Bournemouth on 28 December.
The outcome in many ways mirrored Brighton’s season so far.
The hosts dominated possession and carved out several opportunities to score but were eventually punished by their more incisive opponents.
Christian Benteke, a threat throughout for Roy Hodgson’s side, created Ayew’s winning goal against the run of play.
The Belgian forward turned away from a home defender to find his strike partner with a clever reverse pass, Ayew converting with a low shot under Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
Hodgson’s landmark day goes to script
Despite Brighton enjoying greater possession and more efforts on goal than Palace, this was another performance that went to script for Hodgson who was celebrating his 100th Premier League match in charge of the Eagles.
The former England boss stressed before kick-off that he was not bothered about controlling the game as long as his team could deliver in the final third.
And he would have been delighted by their start which saw them keep the Seagulls at arm’s length while creating clear-cut chances of their own.
Benteke spurned the first, awkwardly miscuing his effort wide of goal after James McArthur’s lofted pass sent him clear.
Cheikhou Kouyate then got the ball caught under his studs after latching on to a Benteke header which allowed Ryan to smother the ball at his feet.
While the hosts poured forward after the break and had 15 shots on goal to Palace’s six, goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was rarely troubled by some errant finishing.
And Hodgson’s landmark day could have ended even more satisfactorily – with Wilfried Zaha remarkably prodding a right-foot effort against the left post late on with the Brighton goal completely unguarded.
More to follow.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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