Bright subs sink Palace

After Glenn Murray had opened the scoring, Shane Duffy was soon sent off for a ridiculous headbutt.

But in a febrile atmosphere, the dismissal only inspired the Seagulls as substitute Leon Balogun netted with his first touch and fellow replacement Florin Andone scored one of the goals of the season in firsthalf stoppage time.

The plight of shellshocked Palace was summed up by Wilfried Zaha in his 300th game for the club. The winger, a hate figure for Brighton fans since his double in the 2013 playoffs here, was clearly rattled by an aggressive reception. Zaha controlled his seething frustration to win a late penalty but his side were well beaten.

While Brighton climbed into the top ten after a third game undefeated, Roy Hodgson’s Palace remained only three points off the drop zone.

No one could doubt the ferocity of this M23 derby. There was trouble at the corresponding fixture last season and there were more disturbances around Brighton station last night. The tension could also be felt in the stadium and on the pitch.

Brighton dominated early possession and territory before the simmering encounter exploded into life after 23 minutes.

Poor defending from Palace saw Aaron WanBissaka collide with Luka Milivojevic in the away box. Amid the chaos, James McArthur got a touch on the ball before Jose Izquierdo tumbled over his challenge and referee Kevin Friend harshly pointed to the spot

The recalled Murray slotted home his seventh goal in seven home games this season via the crossbar in his 100th game for the club.

Brighton had a stronger claim for a spot-kick shortly after when James Tomkins sent Murray to the ground to cause a shoulder injury which would see him replaced. But Friend spotted a foolish piece of aggression from Duffy, who thrust his head at Patrick Van Aanholt. The Irishman’s red card, though, served only to disrupt the Eagles more than the Seagulls.

Chris Hughton sought to shore up his rearguard by bringing on Balogun and the unmarked defender instantly lashed in his first touch from Solly March’s corner.

Brighton then had to replace Murray with Andone and the Romanian scored a stunning third with help from more inept defending before the break, chasing a clearance to outpace Tomkins and fire past Wayne Hennessey.

After the break Brighton sat in to defend their lead and Hodgson called on Alexander Sorloth’s height to try to break them down.

Zaha was booked and lucky to escape a red card when he was judged to have fouled Andone. The Palace talisman then won an 80th-minute penalty and Milivojevic slotted home but Palace threatened a big finish.

Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; March, Propper, Bissouma, Izquierdo (Knockaert 49); Gross (Balogun 31); Murray (Andone 35). Bernardo, Bissouma. Duffy 28.

Murray 24 (pen), Balogun 31, Andone 45. Burnley (a), Sat PL.

Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; McArthur (Schlupp 74), Kouyate (Sorloth 58), Milivojevic, Meyer; Townsend, Zaha.

Tomkins, Zaha, Milivojevic. Milivojevic 81 (pen). West Ham (a), Sat PL.

K Friend (Leicestershire).

BRIGHTON Goals: CRYSTAL Booked: Referee: (4-4-1-1): Sent off:

NEXT UP: PALACE (4-4-2): NEXT UP:

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Booked: Goal: