Brighton rock until Sanchez stumbles
Keeper’s howler hands a point to bitter rivals
JEEPERS, keepers. The VHS tapes of goalkeeping howlers are a thing of the past — from Peter Enckel- man to Rob Green. But was this Brighton blooper the worst mistake in recent history?
‘Robert Sanchez, hang your head (in shame),’ laughed Jeff Stelling on Sky Sports. Harsh but fair. When we look back in May, will this be a moment Brighton fans point to if their great quest for European football falls flat?
Roberto De Zerbi’s team were cruising, heading for their first win at bitter rivals Palace for four years, and would have ended the match three points off the Champions League places. But Sanchez threw it away, metaphorically and physically.
It was an easy catch and the Spaniard was unchallenged. Michael Olise’s cross lacked power, but Sanchez flapped at the ball and spilled it goalwards for James Tomkins to score a tap-in.
The equaliser was Palace’s only shot on target in a match in which they had just 25 per cent of possession. Brighton fans will have travelled home having watched their team completely outclass their bitter rivals.
Pervis Estupinan had a goal controversially chalked off for offside after a lengthy VAR review in the first half and World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister dazzled in midfield and should have scored.
Solly March put Albion ahead in the 63rd minute on what was a fine afternoon for the Sussex-born winger. Estupinan whipped a cross from the left flank which evaded all defenders, allowing March to fire home a first-time finish.
This fixture is wrongly labelled the M23 Derby by the media but the distaste is nothing to do with location or turf wars.
Bosses Alan Mullery and Terry Venables clashed in the 1970s, with the former throwing coins and gesturing ‘that’s all Palace are worth’.
The fans despise each other and there was a huge police presence in south London yesterday, with Brighton fans kettled to Norwood Junction rail station. Albion were winless in six meetings with Palace heading into this match and had not won here since 2019. They really should have changed that.
The half-time scoreline of 0-0 felt an injustice as Albion attacked with purpose, passed better and peppered Vicente Guaita’s goal.
‘We are playing fantastic football — this was one of the best performances in my time here,’ said De Zerbi. ‘I don’t know how many chances to score we had today but we have to be clear when we analyse: if we play like this we can fight for a place in Europe.’
Mac Allister came close to scoring on three occasions. March, in the form of his career, played a defence-cutting pass to the Argentinian early on but his shot was weak and straight at Guaita, who then denied Kaoru Mitoma minutes later. De Zerbi’s team have made a recent habit of fighting for results, scoring in the 88th, 92nd and 87th minutes of their last three matches.
But for most of this game, one was reminded of Graham Potter’s Brighton: total domination without a ruthless streak in front of goal to win games. Deniz Undav, the German forward, barely impacted this match and was replaced after 57 minutes.
Palace have not won at home since October and are winless in the league so far this year. ‘To be honest I am satisfied with the point,’ said manager Patrick Vieira. ‘The game was really challenging and difficult. Brighton were excellent.’
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1): Guaita 8; Clyne 6.5, Tomkins 7, Guehi 6, Mitchell 7; Doucoure 6.5, Hughes 6 (Sambi Lokonga 57min, 6); Schlupp 6 (Eze 71), Ayew 5, Mateta 5 (Edouard 71), Olise 6 (Ahamada 85). Booked: Hughes, Sambi Lokonga, Doucoure. Subs (not used): Johnstone, Whitworth, Milvojevic, McArthur, Riedewald. BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Sanchez 4; Veltman 7, Webster 7 (Lamptey 76), Dunk 7, Estupinan 7.5; Gross 6.5, Caicedo 6; March 8, Mac Allister 7.5, Mitoma 6.5; Undav 5 (Ferguson 57, 6). Booked: Mac Allister. Subs (not used): Steele, Sarmiento, Enciso, Ayari, Van Hecke, Buonanotte, Moran. Referee: M Oliver 6.5.