Brighton missed out on a first-ever trip to the Premier League top on Monday. The 1-1 draw at arch-rivals Crystal Palace nevertheless caused great emotion.
19 of the 20 current English Premier League clubs have been top of the table in the top flight for at least one day at some point in their long history. Only Brighton have not – and they will remain so for the time being.
The team around ex-Ingolstadt player Pascal Groß, which started the season so strongly, missed the necessary victory at arch-rivals Crystal Palace on Monday evening. The fact that they nevertheless left the pitch overjoyed had to do with the crazy final scene.
Until the last minute of five minutes of injury time, Palace had looked like certain winners. New coach Patrick Vieira’s side, who had won only once in their first five fixtures – on a tough programme – were the more committed team for long periods and deserved to lead. Zaha had converted a controversial penalty just before the break (45.+2).
Ayew misses the 2:0 – then goalkeeper Guaita takes a free kick
But because Ayew missed the decisive goal (77th), Brighton stayed in the game and shocked the sold-out, already celebrating Selhurst Park: A weak, far too flat and short free kick by Palace goalkeeper Guaita was volleyed by Moder shortly behind the halfway line into the path of goal scorer Maupay, who beat Guaita with a cool header (90.+5).
What a bitter moment for the Spanish goalkeeper, who had been awarded the momentous free-kick on a fist-bump and had gratefully drawn out the stoppage. After that, referee Marriner quickly blew his whistle, but was not finished with his work: objects flew onto the pitch, players clashed.
Brighton, the emotional winners of this 1-1 draw, may not be first after six matchdays, but they are still sixth – one point behind leaders Liverpool, the last unbeaten team in the Premier League.
The duel is often referred to as the A23 (or M23) derby in England. The trunk roads connect south London with Brighton, which lies about 75 kilometres south on the coast. The rivalry between Palace and the Seagulls arose from the late 1970s onwards. There was simply no other professional club in the county of Sussex. It was not until 2011 that Crawley Town was promoted to the Football League.
