Roy Hodgson’s derby record is a weakness of his Crystal Palace reign – but Wilf Zaha’s brilliance ensures latest Brighton clash doesn’t end on a sour note

CRYSTAL PALACE 1
Zaha 77
BRIGHTON 1
Maupay 55

BY SAM SMITH AT SELHURST PARK

This was Roy Hodgson’s 100th game in charge of Crystal Palace, but for all the positive appraisal of the former England boss it is his record in games against the Eagles’ rivals that is the biggest red flag against his tenure.

So this was a welcome end to a run of consecutive defeats against rivals Brighton – even though the performance was hardly one that will be remembered in the same ilk as bygone displays against the south coast outfit.

Before this fixture, these two sides had met five times since the Seagulls’ promotion to the Premier League in 2017. In each of those, Palace were managed by Hodgson but they had won just once. That was in April 2018 and was one of the best performances of the Hodgson-era – a high-energy, free-flowing victory in which Wilfried Zaha netted a brace. Here, they would require the forward to dig them out of trouble once again.

The Seagulls did the double over the South Londoners last season. Hodgson’s side were poor in both, particularly in the 3-1 defeat the Amex Stadium when they had conceded three goals before half-time. An Anthony Konckaert curler was the difference between the sides at Selhurst.

There was also the FA Cup third round tie in January 2018 when former Eagles striker Glenn Murray tapped in a late winner for the hosts. That came after an unusually incident-free goalless draw the month prior.

Even against Watford – with whom Palace have a brewing mutual dislike – Hodgson’s record has been poor. The Eagles have beaten the Hornets just once in six meetings under the 71-year-old and have been beaten three times.

Brighton were the better team in this game, although in the first half they were limited to efforts from range – Yves Bissouma and Pascal Gross both tested Vicente Guaita. Graham Potter’s side had a valid claim for a penalty when Martin Montoya went down under a challenge by Jairo Riedewald, who struggled on his first league start since April 2018.

Christian Benteke was completely isolated up against the visitors’ three strong central defenders. He was bereft of service but failed to sufficiently hold onto the ball on the rare occasions it came his way.

The 29-year-old almost scored a freakish goal early in the second half. His wayward cross from the right looped over Maty Ryan and slammed the post. Zaha was unable to make the most of the rebound. Brighton eventually led 10 minutes into the second half. Bissouma’s cross-field pass was volleyed into the penalty area by Leandro Trossard, and Neal Maupay took a touch before rifling into the net.

It was a poor goal to concede but one that Hodgson could perhaps blame on the several injuries his side have suffered. The cross came from Palace’s left side where James McArthur had slotted into left-back after Riedewald had been withdrawn at half-time. the Eagles have also lost Patrick van Aanholt and Jeffrey Schlupp in that position.

It is difficult not to feel that the stricken Gary Cahill would have been quicker to attempt to block Maupay’s effort.

In attack, Andros Townsend’s impetus and creativity was missed. Jordan Ayew is better used through the middle but was forced to play to the right of Benteke.

But the fact the Eagles were so absent of anything up front perhaps makes this result feel ever so slightly sweeter. Zaha controlled the ball on the edge of the area, a quick step-over wrong-footed Montoya, and the Ivorian rifled a left-footed effort into the roof of the net. It was an almost carbon copy of the 27-year-old’s goal against Burnley two weeks ago.

For now, that will cover over the obvious cracks of the below-par display. But, with the January transfer window looming, this match was further proof that plenty of business needs to be done next month. Even if it is just to give Hodgson the edge in games like these where moments of individual brilliance such as Zaha’s can be the difference.

Palace (4-3-3): Guaita 7, Kelly 6, Tomkins 6, Dann 6, Riedewald 4 (McCarthy 45 6), McArthur 7, Milivojevic 6, Kouyate 6 (Meyer 67 5), Ayew 7, Benteke 5, Zaha 7. Not used: Hennessey, Mitchell, Woods, Meyer, Camarasa, Wickham.