Brighton really didn’t need that. Fabian Hurzeler didn’t need that. Where do Brighton go now after a 1-0 home defeat to their old rivals Crystal Palace?
It’s now one win in the last 12 Premier League matches and poor Hurzeler is feeling the heat. The TV cameras panned to Tony Bloom after the final whistle and the Brighton chairman looked far from pleased.
The decisive goal arrived on the hour as the Seagulls failed to organise themselves from a throw-in just inside their own half.
Evann Guessand played in Sarr and the Senegalese striker had all the time he needed as his effort smacked in Bart Verbruggen’s face and found the back of the net.
The goal sucked the atmosphere from the home ground and left Brighton pushing for an equaliser. The best opportunity fell to Greek striker Charalampos Kostoulas, who started ahead of Albion’s old faithful Danny Welbeck.
Kostoulas was clean through but his side-footed effort was well saved by the feet of Dean Henderson. That was as good as it got for Brighton. Yankuba Minteh, Welbeck, Jack Hinshelwood, Diego Gomez and Matt O’Riley were all introduced to no avail.
”You don’t know what you are doing,” and “sacked in the morning,” were just some of the chants as disgruntled fans trudged away.
Here’s how they rated...
Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma gets to grips with Jefferson Lerma of Crystal Palace
1. Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma gets to grips with Jefferson Lerma of Crystal Palace
Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma gets to grips with Jefferson Lerma of Crystal Palace | Getty Images
Unlucky to see the Sarr's effort go in off his face. Overall played quite well and Stood up very well to Palace's set pieces.
2. Bart Verbruggen - 6
Unlucky to see the Sarr's effort go in off his face. Overall played quite well and Stood up very well to Palace's set pieces. | Getty Images
The Turkey international switched to right back and played well against Pinot. Always looked to bomb forward and tried to link well with Harry Howell
3. Ferdi Kadioglu - 6
The Turkey international switched to right back and played well against Pinot. Always looked to bomb forward and tried to link well with Harry Howell | AFP via Getty Images
Maybe at fault for the Palace goal when he should have got more distance on his defensive header. Flashed a header wide from Gross' freekick on 19 minutes. Had his hands full with Strand Larsen.
4. Lewis Dunk - 6
Maybe at fault for the Palace goal when he should have got more distance on his defensive header. Flashed a header wide from Gross' freekick on 19 minutes. Had his hands full with Strand Larsen. | Getty Images