Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton: Danny Welbeck heads in late equaliser to rescue point for Roberto De Zerbi’s side

Danny Welbeck scored a superb late header to earn Brighton a point in a 1-1 draw at rivals Crystal Palace.

Both sides were desperate for a victory, with Palace having won twice in 13 Premier League games and Brighton with two wins from 11 matches, but after the hosts shaded the first period, Brighton improved after the break once Roberto De Zerbi made changes at half-time.

Jordan Ayew stooped to head Palace in front from Michael Olise’s cross in first-half injury time after Bart Verbruggen had given the ball away trying to play out from the back.

But with Welbeck and Facundo Buonanotte introduced at the interval, Brighton pushed hard for an equaliser which finally came when the 33-year-old striker rose to send a looping, inch-perfect header beyond the dive of Dean Henderson.

Player ratings:

Crystal Palace: Henderson (7), Clyne (7), Guehi (7), Andersen (7), Mitchell (7), Richards (6), Hughes (6), Lerma (6), Olise (7), Ayew (7), Mateta (6).

Subs: Ozoh (6), Eze (6).

Brighton: Verbruggen (5), Van Hecke (6), Julio (6), Dunk (6), Gross (7), Hinshelwood (7), Baleba (5), Gilmour (6), Adingra (6), Joao Pedro (6), Mitoma (6).

Subs: Buonanotte (7), Welbeck (7), Lallana (6), Moder (n/a)

Player of the Match: Pascal Gross

How Brighton fought back

The first half lacked quality between two out-of-form sides. Henderson was forced to parry two efforts from Simon Adingra and Pascal Gross while Verbruggen caught Jean-Philippe Mateta’s long-range strike.

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Jordan Ayew times his run to perfection at the far post before heading in to give Crystal Palace the lead

Verbruggen, though, was at fault in the final minute of the half when Chris Richards pressed him well, forcing the goalkeeper to rush his pass out which was intercepted. Will Hughes teed up Olise, who delivered a perfect cross for Ayew to steer a header into the bottom corner.

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De Zerbi sent his team out early for the second half and they produced a much better performance. Buonanotte gave them more purpose in the final third, driving Palace deep into their own half.

Brighton right-back Jack Hinshelwood arrived several times in good positions in the Palace area, seeing a penalty appeal waved away when he kicked the ground and then firing over from Gross’ low cross.

Palace introduced Eberechi Eze from the bench although he couldn’t provide the spark they needed, lacking conviction when well-positioned in the Brighton area as his shot was blocked by Jan Paul van Hecke.

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Danny Welbeck gets up brilliantly to meet the cross and head into the back of the net

Finally, Brighton’s pressure told when Gross’ cross from the right was met by Welbeck’s head to send a looping effort into the top-right corner.

Welbeck nearly inadvertently steered in a winner when Henderson’s erratic punch deflected back off the striker and rolled wide.

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Dean Henderson was fortunate that his error went unpunished as the ball went just wide of the post after rebounding off Welbeck Hodgson: We have to be satisfied with a point

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Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson says he’s satisfied with a point against derby rivals Brighton and hailed Welbeck’s late leveller

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson told Sky Sports: “Our players stuck at the task well. I can’t deny Brighton were worthy of a point especially with the quality of that equalising goal. But at the end of the day, in a derby game, we have to be satisfied with a point.

“Throughout the game we tried to continue that pressure, but they got better at getting out.

“We had a young lad [David Ozoh] in his second game, Ebe Eze after injury, that didn’t make us stronger. Brighton asked us a lot more questions, which led to the equaliser.

“We have played three of the best teams in the league in our last three games, and have done alright.

“We’ve taken two points, against Liverpool we should have got something as well. And we are getting stronger as the weeks go by.”

De Zerbi: We made too many mistakes

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Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi cut a frustrated figure after their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, pointing to the club’s inexperienced squad as a reason for mistakes in the game.

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi told Sky Sports: “I think we lost two points. It is because we made too many mistakes, especially in the first half.

“We played in a different way in the second half. Played with more energy and invention to score. If we are losing it is because we are making too many mistakes. We had two or three chances to score and didn’t score.

“It’s not the responsibility of Bart Verbuggen [only] because when the keeper is under pressure he needs his team-mates to play.”

On half-time substitutions: “We have Baleba [born in] 2004, Adingra [born in] 2002. We have a policy of allowing young players to progress, they need to play and make mistakes. It’s impossible to play with the same XI with nine injuries.”

Fantasy Premier League stats Goals Ayew | Welbeck Assists Olise | Gross Bonus points Welbeck (3pts), Gross (2pts), Olise (1pt)

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Opta Stats: Brighton still to keep a clean sheet

What’s next?

Crystal Palace’s next game is at Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday; kick-off 7.30pm. The Eagles then host Brentford on Saturday December 30; kick-off 3pm.

Brighton are next in action when they host Tottenham in the Premier League on Thursday; kick-off 7.30pm.

The Seagulls then travel to West Ham on Tuesday January 2, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 7.30pm.

Tuesday 2nd January 7:00pm Kick off 7:30pm

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