The Albion equaliser did not come as late as in some of our recent visits to Selhurst Park.
So there were fewer curses in the press box and less frantic rewriting of intros. In fact, the opening paragraphs of most of the first edition pieces were very elegant.
The i, for example, led on the contrast between some of the club’s recent destinations and a midweek evening at Selhurst.
“Thursday evenings for Brighton recently have meant clean sheets, victories and progress in the Europa League. But whatever worked for the Seagulls in the relatively sophisticated atmospheres of Marseille, Amsterdam and Athens failed to make the transition to the somewhat grittier surroundings of South Norwood last night.
“Ajax, the four-time European Champions, could not score against Roberto De Zerbi’s side in two games, but Palace managed it in the final minute of the first half, Jordan Ayew capitalising on an error by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. But Brighton took control in the second half and yet again Palace conceded a late goal, Danny Welbeck heading the Seagulls level eight minutes from time.
“The result was not entirely unexpected, to put it mildly. This fixture has now ended 1-1 in five successive seasons, but Brighton will feel that a 13th point gained from a losing position was scant reward for a dominant second half.
| Pos | Team | Pld | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10
|
CRY
|
38 | -1 | 49 |
|
11
|
Albion
|
38 | -7 | 48 |
|
12
|
EVE
|
38 | -11 | 48 |
“The Brighton pressure told as Welbeck’s header from a cross by Gross looped just inside the angle of post and crossbar. It was all Brighton and Welbeck almost scored a freak second when Henderson punched the ball onto his head, the ball rolling just past the empty goal.”
Sam Dean of The Daily Telegraph enjoyed the un-Albion-like equaliser immensely. “Roberto De Zerbi has built his reputation on ultra-modern passing football, on deconstructing opponents with surgical precision, but on this occasion he was thankful for a goal that was wonderfully old-school in execution and style,” he wrote.
“The game evolves with every season, and managers like De Zerbi are key to that. And yet for all the tactical changes in the Premier League, there is still so much joy to be found in the simple art of a striker flexing his neck and heading the ball through the night air.
“Danny Welbeck has scored better goals in his life but it is hard to imagine he has scored many better headers. With his Brighton team trailing to their fiercest rivals, and only eight minutes remaining on the clock, the 33-year-old soared into the sky to attack a hopeful cross.
“The subsequent effort was remarkable in its trajectory — somehow powerful yet also looping — and suddenly Brighton were alive again. Welbeck might have gone on to win it a few minutes later, but could only fire over the bar from a tight angle.
“The late equaliser was a deserved one for Brighton, who struggled in the first half but totally dominated the second.”
Neil McLeman of The Mirror recalled that “Brighton owner Tony Bloom celebrated a win double at the Amex Stadium last season when his Albion beat Palace after his horse had romped to victory at Cheltenham. The gambler also banked another £830,000 in bets. But anyone who bet against a 1-1 draw back at Selhurst Park was a total mug punter.
“Jordan Ayew gave the hosts the lead in first half injury time on his return from his controversial red card against Liverpool. But Danny Welbeck came off the bench to net an inevitable 82nd-minute equaliser to see the last five league fixtures between these two bitter rivals end 1-1 at Selhurst Park.
“Brighton missed out on the chance to leapfrog Manchester United into seventh place in Roberto De Zerbi’s 50th Premier League game in charge. Albion, who enjoyed 65 percent of possession, have now won only two out of 12 Premier League matches.”
Molly Hudson of The Times spotted that “even the half-time penalty shoot-out featuring Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion’s young fans ended in a stalemate. Despite Palace showing their battling capabilities, they stretched their winless run to seven matches.
“They are perhaps the Premier League’s chief spoilers; Michael Olise’s flicks and tricks combined with a disciplined defensive showing, but eventually Brighton equalised, rewarded for their greater attacking intent.”
Jack Rosser of The Sun wrote that “Danny Welbeck’s late header saved Bart Verbruggen’s blushes at Crystal Palace.
“The Brighton keeper looked to have handed their bitter rivals an early Christmas present as his first half mistake ended with Jordan Ayew heading the Eagles ahead.
“But sub Welbeck, only just back from a hamstring injury, saved the day with his 82nd-minute equaliser.”
Ed Aarons of The Guardian pointed out that “the last time a Crystal Palace manager lost to Brighton it cost him his job so Roy Hodgson could have had no illusions about the importance of this match. But having looked like being able to celebrate the end of their winless run courtesy of Jordan Ayew’s goal, the substitute Danny Welbeck’s equaliser eight minutes from time ensured that Hodgson’s future remains very much in the balance.
“[Eberechi] Eze could have made sure of the points had he not been so casual with a late chance following a swift breakaway before shooting over from the resulting corner. His side were then made to pay the ultimate price when Welbeck brilliantly headed home a cross from Gross to give the travelling fans the last laugh – and leave Hodgson looking nervously over his shoulder.”
Adrian Kajumba of The Daily Mail mused that not all draws are equal, “If the draw at Manchester City was one to celebrate for Crystal Palace, this did not feel quite the same.
“It was perhaps predictable with the last four meetings between these two at Selhurst Park ending 1-1. But the fifth one was accompanied with huge frustration for Palace.
“They led through Jordan Ayew's goal just before half-time. But rather than try and build on their advantage they sat back much to the frustration of the restless natives and were eventually, and almost inevitably, made to pay for allowing Brighton to take the initiative.
“Hodgson's former England striker Danny Welbeck's brilliantly-placed, late header was the least Brighton deserved for their dominance and denied Palace a first win in seven.
“Just like at City there were Palace cheers at full-time. But this time they were more in relief having survived wave after wave of Brighton second-half pressure.”