Brighton defeated their rivals, Crystal Palace, 4-1, thanks to an outstanding first-half performance that had the home crowd demonstrating against the board once more.
For Palace, who were without the injured Eberechi Eze, it was a dismal afternoon on the south coast. Michael Olise hobbled off minutes after replacing him at halftime.
Thanks to the Seagulls’ incredible first half, which featured an early Lewis Dunk header, the game was all but gone at that time.
The visitors were taken aback by two goals in two minutes from Jack Hinshelwood and Facundo Buonanotte, and their supporters replied by raising banners criticising Steve Parish and the rest of the board.
After Palace’s lead was restored by Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s header, many away supporters left the stadium in the closing moments after an incredible goal by Joao Pedro. It remains to be seen if the under-pressure Roy Hodgson follows them.
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson: “At the moment our fans aren’t very happy with everything that is happening at the club and they are making their feelings known as well. But I signed up to be the manager and coach of this football club and I’ve got the strength, resilience and determination to see things through. I’m certainly not going to be cowed by that type of thing.”
On Olise’s injury: “I was told he couldn’t start the game, everyone was quite comfortable with that. But they told me, and he told me, he was fine to be on the bench and to play in the second half. Unfortunately I don’t have a crystal ball and I wasn’t to know that would lead to a recurrence of his injury.”
On the players engaging with angry fans after full time: “They are realistic enough to know the fans aren’t going to be happy to see their team lose 4-1 and I think the players did the right thing. No one is less happy than ourselves. At least they went over to thank the fans and let them know we are grateful for their support. If people react, so be it.”
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi: “We are very happy because in a derby we made our fans happy, but I’m not surprised with the reaction we showed.
“Our win started on Tuesday after the Luton game. I’m really pleased with the result, the reaction, the energy.”
Brighton travel next to Tottenham on Saturday while Crystal Palace host Chelsea new week Monday.
Other posts by Hiresh
