CHRISTIAN BENTEKE scored a stunning last-minute volley as Crystal Palace defeated Brighton 2-1.
Joel Veltman had cancelled out Jean-Philippe Mateta Mateta’s incredible back-heeled goal before super-sub Benteke won it in the 95th minute.
Follow all of the latest reaction below…
THAT’S ALL FROM THE AMEX
Crystal Palace shocked Brighton with a late 2-1 victory at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls dominated possession and tempo throughout the encounter but that still couldn’t save them from defeat.
Jean-Philippe Mateta opened the scoring after 28 minutes when Jordan Ayew’s cross from the right flank found the forward who beat Robert Sanchez with an incredible back-heel to score his first Palace goal.
The hosts, though, refused to be daunted by the visitors’ shock opener and equalised after 55 minutes with Joel Veltman, who beat Vicente Guaita with a sublime shot from a tight corner.
Brighton pushed hard for a second goal that would have marked their first ever league win on a Monday but Palace beat them to it on the fifth, and last, minute of stoppage time.
Ayew produced another incredible cross, this time from the left flank, and found substitute Christian Benteke who sent the ball to the back of the net with a stunning low volley.
That’s all from us, enjoy a lovely night!
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HODGSON REACTS
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is “very proud” of his players and described Christian Benteke’s late winner as “sublime”.
Hodgson said: “Yeah, very proud. We had to accept we weren’t able to do enough with the ball, under pressure immediately and the ball around our area more than theirs. The resilience, desire and sheer guts was there to not concede goals.
“The first was a definite strike and a very clever piece of movement. Benteke’s strike at the end was sublime, really. I’m pleased for him.
“He’s found himself quite often in shooting positions, that was a very clinical shot. It gave us three very, very vital points.
POTTER REACTS
Brighton manager Graham Potter admits the hosts feel “sore” from the defeat but insists tonight’s shock result needs to work as motivation for the future.
Potter said: “We’re sore, it’s a painful one. The boys gave everything, only looked like there’d be one winner in the second half. The fact we came away with nothing is cruel. We’ve got to accept it and move forward.
“We have to use the pain as a motivation. We know we still have to get points, you can’t rely on anybody else. That’s where the work is. Really disappointing night for us in terms of the result. Put it behind us as quick as we can but we’re hurting at the moment.
“I’m a human being. When you see the team give everything, it felt like it was a matter of time for us to get something. To lose in that manner is a blow. It’d be strange if I didn’t feel that. We have to use the pain to motivate us for the next game”
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TEKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Crystal Palace hero Christian Benteke claims his side “put their life on the pitch” and is immensely pleased with the result.
Benteke told Sky Sports: “It is a massive result. We know we play a derby against a very good side.
“It wasn’t easy, they managed to come back in the game in the second half. We put our life on the pitch, tried to defend as much as we could, and I had a chance to score a great goal.
“Today was all about three points, it wasn’t easy, but we got them. The plan was to be compact; we have been too open, and we changed the tactic.
“We have got a lot of good players up front, but I know my strengths, my qualities, it was about being ready when the gaffer needs me.”
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UPDATED TABLE
Crystal Palace climbed up to 13th place following their dramatic late win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Palace are now six points ahead of Brighton who remain 16th in the Premier League table.
Christian Benteke’s late winner means the Seagulls continue to be a mere four points away from the relegation zone.
Palace, on the other hand, can start hoping for a top-10 finish
BIG BEN
This is how Christian Benteke stunned Brighton and gave Crystal Palace the victory.
Jordan Ayew produced another brilliant cross from the left flank and found Benteke inside the box.
The ex-Liverpool ace beat Robert Sanchez with an incredible low volley to steal one for Palace.
Check it out:
STATS
Brighton dominated 74.7 per cent of possession but that still couldn’t save them from defeat.
The Seagulls also produced a staggering 25 shots, five of which were on target, compared to Crystal Palace who only got three shots, two of which were on target.
Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was busier than Robert Sanchez as he had to make four saves – the Brighton shot-stopper made none.
The hosts also showed better passing skills as they recorded an 87.8 per cent succession rate
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FT: BRIGHTON 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace picked up a dramatic late victory against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls dominated throughout the match but failed to hold on to a clean sheet.
Jean-Philippe Mateta netted his first ever Palace goal after 28 minutes when Jordan Ayew’s cross from the right flank found the forward, who opened the scoring with a stunning back-heel.
But Brighton refused to be daunted and got an equaliser with their best player Joel Veltman after 55 minutes when he picked up the ball completely unmarked inside the box and beat Vicente Guaita with ease.
The Seagulls pushed for a second but Palace beat them to it when Ayew produced another amazing cross from the left and found substitute Christian Benteke who fired a beautiful low volley to beat Robert Sanchez and give his team the victory on the last minute of stoppage time
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S FULL-TIME AT THE AMEX!!!!!
BRIGHTON 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE
90+5 Unbelievable!!!!
Brighton were the ones pushing for a second and it’s Crystal Palace, who were largely anonymous, that pick up the three points!
Substitute Benteke picks up a beautiful cross from Ayew on the right flank and fires the ball to the back of Sanchez’s net with a stunning low volley!
GOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!
CRYSTAL PALACE WIN THE MATCH!!!!!!!!!!
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
90+4 One more minute to go.
Brighton are not giving up!
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
90+1 SUBSTITUTION
Crystal Palace boss Hodsgson replaces Eze with McCarthy
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
90 Five more minutes of stoppage time to go until full-time.
Crystal Palace are holding on for the precious point
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
89 WHAT A CHANCE!
Trossard passes from the right flank and finds Welbeck who switches to Jahanbaksh whose shot is blocked by Cahill at the last minute.
The Chelsea legend has been incredible for Palace’s defence all night
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
87 Brighton are not giving up on their pursuit of a winner.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are happier to sit back and pick up the point
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
84 YELLOW CARD
Veltman gets booked for a cynical foul on Eze, whom he brings down while he was on the counter-attack.
That is where Crystal Palace have been dangerous all night
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
84 Brighton continue to push for an equaliser and the pressing is becoming unbearable for Crystal Palace.
Palace are hoping for a counter-attack in which they could catch the hosts off guard like they did with Mateta’s goal
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
81 SUBSTITUTION
Third and final switch for Brighton manager Potter as Jahanbakhsh replaces Gross
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
80 Just 10 more minutes to go until full-time.
Brighton continue to dominate with Crystal Palace unable to react.
The Seagulls have proven to be more than capable of getting a winner!
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
78 CHANCE
Bneteke makes his presence felt as he fires a powerful shot from the edge of the box but just misses the target
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
78 Ayew and Burn have war of words after a foul down the right flank.
The Crystal Palace star pushes the Brighton ace but no one gets booked
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
77 Mateta introduced himself to the Premier League in style with a beautiful goal for Crystal Palace.
Here’s what kind of damage he made at the Amex Stadium
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
75 SUBSTITUTION
Crystal Palace make their first switch as Mateta gives his place to Benteke
BRIGHTON 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
72 Veltman has been dominating throughout the match.
No one deserved a goal more than the Brighton star!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
