Crystal Palace beat Brighton

LONDON: Crystal Palace savoured a first win over rivals Brighton since 2021 as a 3-1 victory on Sunday lifted the Eagles four points clear of the relegation zone.

Ismaila Sarr teed up Trevoh Chalobah for the opening goal before scoring twice himself to secure Palace´s first success over the Seagulls in seven games. Brighton could have gone level with Manchester City in fifth but have now failed to win in their last four games to slip down to ninth. Palace are unbeaten in five as they begin to march up the table after a disappointing start to the campaign.

Chelsea loanee Chalobah fired high into the net from Sarr´s corner to open the scoring. The Senegalese then rose highest at the back post to head in Tyrick Mitchell´s looping cross. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler responded with the introduction of Julio Enciso at the break and he nearly gave the home side life with a curling effort that Dean Henderson turned behind.

Henderson also denied his England team-mate Lewis Dunk. Sarr sealed the points eight minutes from time with another cool finish from Eddie Nketiah´s headed pass. Marc Guehi´s late own goal was the only blot on an otherwise perfect day for the visitors, who move up to 15th.+ Brighton continued to chip away in search of a comeback, but Sarr made sure of the points for the away side when he added a third in the final 10 minutes, racing through on goal and slipping the ball below Bart Verbruggen to cap off a wonderful display.Brighton scored a scrappy consolation goal through a Marc Guehi own goal in the dying stages of the match, but it was too little, too late as they slumped to their fourth defeat of the season.Meanwhile, Palace - who are now undefeated in five games - held on for their second win in three to move four points clear of the drop zone.They will look to build on their brilliant display and produce another upset when they entertain Arsenal at Selhurst Park - just three days after facing The Gunners at Emirates Stadium in the EFL Cup quarter-final. The Seagulls travel to the struggling West Ham United next, before welcoming Brentford during the festive period.