C PALACE

BRIGHTON and Crystal Palace stoked up a rivalry that has been left smouldering for the last four years – but both sides will have to wait to claim derby bragging rights.

Tensions may have been high in the stands – with the sound of pyrotechnics going off regularly punctuating the game.

But nerves were also evident on the pitch with Roy Hodgson emerging the more satisfied of the two managers as his Crystal Palace side claimed their first away point of the season in a goalless draw.

The Eagles might have headed back up the M23 with all three points had Wilfried Zaha made more of a first-half chance.

But Brighton keeper Maty Ryan denied the boyhood Palace fan the chance to deliver the decisive blow.

That ensured Brighton secured a fourth successive home draw – but boss Chris Hughton will be frustrated at their failure to break that run.

This was the first time the two clubs had met in the Premier League – they last played each other in the top flight in 1981 – and the build-up to the game had been dominated by attempts to explain the intensity of the bitter rivalry to a newfound audience.

The clash may not fit the usual geographical definition of a derby with 46 miles separating the two clubs, but there is no doubting the depth of feeling surrounding the fixture.

A series of feisty meetings in the mid-Seventies, fuelled by spats between managers Alan Mullery and Terry Venables, set in train a rivalry that has intensified over the decades.

And while Palace may have closer neighbours, there is no doubt that for supporters of both clubs, this is the fixture they most want to win – or at the very least, avoid defeat.

Confirmation of the tensions created by the clash came with the sight of a much increased police presence around town and outside the Amex Stadium.

Things were initially much calmer inside the ground but when the match burst into life after a cagey start, the atmosphere became charged after a number of flares and firecrackers were set off among the visiting supporters.

The trigger came when Palace created the first chance of the evening after 15 minutes

SPORT IN BRIEF