Joe Whitworth was calm, cool and collected -19-year-old made Premier League and Palace debut at Brighton

Crystal Palace debutant Joe Whitworth admitted he felt “assured and calm” before he made his first professional start for the club in Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at Brighton.

The 19-year-old became the South Londoners’ youngest Premier League goalkeeper and the youngest stopper to appear in a Premier League match since Ben Alnwick in December 2005.

The Palace academy graduate, who has been third choice this season, started the game after Vicente Guaita was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Number two Sam Johnstone was also missing due to a calf injury. Remi Matthews and Jack Butland are out on loan.

“I found out I would be playing at the hotel,” Whitworth told Palace TV. “We had a meeting and Deano (goalkeeper coach Dean Kiely) told me I was in the starting 11.

“I was absolutely buzzing. I was really excited to play, and play in front of the Palace fans at The Amex. It was a big game to start in.

“I was obviously a bit nervous coming into the game, but as soon as I started the warm-up, I was fine, and Deano made me feel really assured and calm.

“It was nerve-racking at the start, but I really enjoyed it and I’m looking to build on it.”

Despite Brighton running out 1-0 winners and leaving Patrick Vieira’s side still searching for a win in 2023, Whitworth made two smart saves in the second half to keep Palace in the game.

“It was massive for me, being a Palace fan and playing for the senior team,” Whitworth added. “It was massive for my family. It’s a really proud moment.

“It was a close game. We started well and had a few chances that we could have put away, and then Brighton came back into it.

“It was a bit see-sawy, but a close game, very tough. They are a good team – and we’ll just look to put it right on Sunday (against Arsenal).”