Ayew strikes again to make sure of a happy hundred for Hodgson
As acrid black smoke billowed round the Amex in the swirling wind of Storm Jorge, worried looks were exchanged among the Brighton supporters.
The plume was coming from the away end where ecstatic Palace fans were celebrating Jordan Ayew’s decisive goal 20 minutes from time to secure bragging rights in the M23 derby.
It was the perfect afternoon for Roy Hodgson to mark his 100th Premier League game as Palace manager as his side moved 10 points clear of relegation. How Brighton would love a cushion like that. No wins in 2020 for Graham Potter’s side has left them perilously close to the bottom three with a daunting run of fixtures to come.
“All the games in the league are difficult, it’s not about looking at which fixtures are supposedly easier,” Potter said. “I am confident [of surviving]. I believe in the players. I thought we were the better team.”
The home team were left to rue a string of missed opportunities after a match they largely dominated. They had comfortably the best chance of the first half, created by a perfect cross from Leandro Trossard and missed badly at the far post by Solly March.
Palace’s best chance came when Gary Cahill connected powerfully with James McCarthy’s corner and headed it down into the ground and over the bar.
The main entertainment of the half came as Wilfried Zaha, who was far from his exceptional best, clashed with Brighton substitute Ezequiel Schelotto. He refused to return the ball to Zaha and the Ivorian reacted, to the delight of the home support, who took glee in taunting him.
The pantomime antics continued throughout the first half with Schelotto remaining on the touch line and gesturing “crybaby” at Zaha.
“I’m just glad Wilf didn’t lose his head but if that’s the worst thing that’s going to happen in a derby then I think we’ve done quite well,” Hodgson said.
“We obviously are delighted,” added the 72-year-old, who paid tribute to the contribution of Ayew this season. “Last year he did a fantastic job for us, we made that loan permanent at the start of the season because we knew what he could do. He’s scored a large proportion of our goals and is still contributing to the team in other ways.”
The first half ended amid a hail storm but the second half started under sunny skies and Lewis Dunk almost scored from Aaron Mooy’s corner but, his header struck Brighton team-mate Neal Maupay in the face and stayed out.
Maupay missed a clear opportunity himself when the ball deflected into his path but the Brighton forward’s halfvolley was straight at Vincente Guaita.
With 20 minutes remaining, Palace struck against the run of play. Potter’s side switched off in midfield allowing Christian Benteke to seize possession. The Belgian then played a disguised pass into the path of Ayew, who scored his seventh of the season, despite Mat Ryan getting a hand to the ball.
In stoppage time, Palace went clear on the break and Cenk Tosun teed up Zaha who struck a post with the goal at his mercy. But Palace had done enough to become the first Premier League team to win a game on Feb 29. “Too late for me now for leap years,” Hodgson laughed. “I don’t think I’m going to get any marriage proposals.”