BRIGHTON, Feb 23: Substitute Christian Benteke thumped home a dramatic last-ditch volley as Crystal Palace snatched a 2-1 victory at bitter rival Brighton in the English Premier League.
The Belgium striker lashed in Andros Townsend’s cross in the fifth minute of added time to return Palace to winning ways following successive defeats which had led to growing supporter unrest.
Brighton dominated proceedings at Amex Stadium and leveled through Joel Veltman after the Eagles led at halftime courtesy of a superb, back-heeled finished from French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Palace showed little ambition for much of the match and once again struggled to create in the absence of injured talisman Wilfried Zaha, with the two superb goals their only attempts on target.
Yet, Eagles manager Roy Hodgson will be more than satisfied with a result which moves his side 10 points above the relegation zone.
Defeat for Brighton halted its club-record Premier League unbeaten run at six games, while scuppering its hopes of leapfrogging its fiercest foe for the first time this season.
Graham Potter’s men remain just four points clear of the bottom three after failing to capitalize on their superiority.
Fans to return
Plans to ease England’s lockdown restrictions will see up to 10,000 supporters being allowed back into Premier League stadiums for the final day of the season in May ahead of Wembley hosting European Championship games.
Authorities hope two showpiece games at Wembley — the League Cup final and the FA Cup final could be test events for the return of spectators. (AP)
