While there have certainly been positive signs for Palace during the early stages of Patrick Vieira’s tenure, they have won only one of their first five top-flight outings under the Arsenal legend so far.
The Eagles are likely to face a tough test this evening against a Brighton side that have made a flying start to the 2021/22 campaign.
Graham Potter’s Seagulls have won four league games already this term – including two on the road – and sit up in the lofty heights of sixth place, just two points adrift of early leaders Liverpool. They would go top of the pile with another win tonight.
However, Brighton have only emerged victorious from one of their last seven trips to SE25. Who will claim bragging rights?
Odsonne Edouard makes his first start for Palace as Luka Milivojevic also comes in, while Brighton swap in Pascal Gross and Dan Burn, with Yves Bissouma a key absentee.
Follow Crystal Palace vs Brighton LIVE with Standard Sport’s blog below, with expert analysis from Jack Rosser at Selhurst Park…
Live updates
43 mins: Mitchell, Gallagher and Zaha combine down the Palace left, with the latter’s stood-up cross headed away from intented target Ayew by Cucurella.
The Eagles keep the pressure on, but just can’t find a way through at present, for all their patient build-up.
40 mins: Gallagher and Edouard are threatening in behind as half-time looms, but that final ball sorely lacking for Palace.
37 mins: Brighton earn a corner after good link-up play between Cucurella and Trossard down that left flank, with a sliding Ward blocking the Spaniard’s cross (not with his hand, as some of the visitors claimed).
Edouard heads clear the first delivery and Lallana is put under pressure by Gallagher as he fires the loose ball high into the stand.
35 mins: The game is opening up now as Palace attack and Zaha’s low shot is comfortably saved by Sanchez.
33 mins: Route one from Brighton, with Palace caught out by a long ball forward from Sanchez.
Welbeck gets after it, brushing aside Ward but not getting enough power on his lofted effort from close range as Vicente Guaita comes out to save.
Welbeck wants a penalty, feeling his heel was clipped by Ward.
Nothing given by referee Andre Marriner. The VAR concurs.
31 mins: This is better from Brighton, with Lallana the architect and Maupay doing well to keep their attack alive.
But Veltman’s cross from the right flank is hopeless and sails out of play.
29 mins: First chance for Brighton just before the half-hour mark as Leandro Trossard sends an effort into the side netting after a cutback from Gross, who showed good perseverance against Mitchell.
27 mins: McArthur drives past Adam Lallana, who drags down his midfield counterpart and duly receives the first yellow card of this derby contest.
25 mins: Milivojevic tries to catch out Sanchez with a quick sneaky effort at the front post, but he strikes it well wide.
A fifth attempt so far to Brighton’s zero, but only one on target so far.
Just one touch in the opposition box for Brighton to this point, meanwhile.
Potter will demand better.
23 mins: Brighton have been really sloppy at times so far tonight, particularly in defence.
After Duffy cuts out an intended ball in behind for Edouard, Gallagher is quick to close down Sanchez, whose poor kick Cucurella inexplicably tries to chest back.
Ayew seizes on the loose ball and is then sandwiched by Cucurella and Burn. Free-kick Palace in a dangerous position.
