Crystal Palace and Brighton played out a goalless draw at Selhurst Park, with fans on both sides witnessing a hard-fought but ultimately unremarkable Premier League clash. The match marked the first meeting since Brighton manager Oliver Glasner’s side completed a historic double over Palace earlier this season, yet the intensity on the pitch did not match the rivalry’s history.
Palace extended their unbeaten run against Brighton at home to six matches, though Brighton will view the draw as a missed opportunity. The Seagulls were without captain Marc Guéhi, who suffered a heavy bone bruise against AZ Alkmaar in their recent Conference League fixture. Guéhi’s injury leaves him unable to walk and on crutches, casting doubt on his availability for England duty. In his absence, Jaydee Canvot deputized admirably, with a key moment coming when a potential penalty for a Rutter challenge was overturned after a VAR review.
Brighton dominated parts of the midfield, with young talent Adam Wharton impressing in his 65-minute cameo. Palace, meanwhile, relied on their organized defense to withstand Brighton’s pressure, and goalkeeper Dean Henderson made several crucial saves. Both managers expressed frustration at the stalemate, acknowledging the lack of clear-cut opportunities despite a frenetic start.
Early chances saw Jean‑Philippe Mateta blazing over for Palace, while Brighton’s Diego Gómez was denied by Henderson after forcing a save. Palace also had opportunities through Ismaïla Sarr and Daichi Kamada, while Yeremy Pino almost secured a stoppage-time winner but was thwarted by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The match highlighted Brighton’s struggle to convert possession into goals, even as they pressed for a win amid a congested fixture schedule. Palace, on the other hand, demonstrated resilience despite being under pressure and lacking the cutting edge to threaten Brighton consistently.
The 0-0 result leaves both sides with points to consolidate mid-table positions, while Guéhi’s injury remains a significant concern for Brighton in the coming weeks.
