Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner before the Premier League match at the American Express Stadium, Brighton and Hove. Picture date: Sunday December 15, 2024. _(Image: PA)_
Oliver Glasner's first taste of Crystal Palace's rivalry with Brighton ended in victory as the Eagles put three past Fabian Hurzeler's side.
Palace have failed to win at the AMEX with spectators present since 2020, when Jordan Ayew scored the solitary goal of the game.
However, in his first meeting against Brighton, Glasner managed to turn the page on Palace's miserable fortunes on the South Coast and earn a deserved three points.
Trevoh Chalobah fired the Eagles in front from a corner after 27 minutes before Ismaila Sarr netted a brace to ensure three points were heading back to Selhurst Park. Brighton claimed an 87th-minute consolation courtesy of a Marc Guehi own goal.
Eagles boss Glasner sensed that his side controlled the grudge match and was delighted to give the travelling Palace support the first of their "Christmas gifts".
"It was important for us as a team to win today. We struggled in the first ten minutes and for fifteen minutes after half time when they changed the system. We didn't get enough pressure on the ball, and Dean Henderson had to make some great saves.
"The rest of the game we controlled. We defended very well. We did not give them a lot of space, and we were always threatening.
**READ MORE**
* [Crystal Palace claim first win at Brighton in three years](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/24796113.brighton-1-3-crystal-palace-eagles-batter-seagulls/)
"We were very direct into their half - we knew that very often they play man-to-man in the last line and with a very high line. We said: 'Okay, let's go there, take the chances and take the opportunities.' That's what we did today.
"It was a positive performance and a big win because we know how important it is to our fans.
"The fans have always supported us, even when we had a bad start to the season. They were always behind the team and behind us.
"Today was the chance to give them a little bit back, their first Christmas gift. The players are great guys; they gave the fans a very positive Christmas gift."