Ismaïla Sarr proved to be the hero once again as Crystal Palace snapped a grueling 12-match winless streak in all competitions, securing a vital 1-0 victory over rivals Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
In a match largely starved of quality, Sarr provided the decisive blow in the 61st minute. Seizing on a loose ball in midfield, second-half debutant Evann Guessand drove forward and slipped a perfectly timed pass to Sarr, who hammered a left-footed strike past Bart Verbruggen. It was the Senegalese forward’s 10th goal of the season and his second in as many visits to the south coast.
Brighton’s best chance fell to teenage forward Charalampos Kostoulas shortly after, but Palace captain Dean Henderson produced a sprawling save to maintain the lead. Despite dominating possession early on, Fabian Hürzeler’s home side faded badly, leaving the field to a chorus of boos from frustrated supporters.
Turning the Tide For Oliver Glasner’s side, the victory is a massive relief. After two months of "pure gloom" and the departure of key figures like Marc Guéhi, the Eagles have finally tasted success in 2026. The win lifts Palace above Brighton into 13th place, moving them nine points clear of the relegation zone.
The match also saw several milestones: 17-year-old Harry Howell became Brighton's youngest-ever Premier League starter, while Palace gave full debuts to record signing Jørgen Strand Larsen and loan arrival Evann Guessand. While the pressure on Hürzeler mounts, Glasner can breathe easier as he prepares for his final months at Selhurst Park.
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