Ismaila Sarr's second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for Crystal Palace over rivals Brighton at the American Express Stadium. The win ended Palace's eight-game winless streak in the Premier League and lifted them above Brighton into 13th place. Brighton's poor form continued, marking just one win in their last 12 league matches.
The Premier League clash between Brighton and Crystal Palace on February 8, 2026, at the American Express Stadium was a tense affair with few clear chances. Crystal Palace, winless in eight Premier League games and 13 across all competitions, snapped their skid thanks to Ismaila Sarr's clinical finish just after the hour mark. Debutant Evann Guessand, who joined from Aston Villa, provided the key through ball after drawing defenders, allowing Sarr to beat Brighton's goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton, managed by Fabian Hurzeler, started brightly with captain Lewis Dunk posing a threat from headers. Dunk nodded wide from Pascal Gross's free-kick delivery early on. At the 31st minute, Kaoru Mitoma's cross found Maxim De Cuyper, but his shot was blocked by Crystal Palace's Chris Richards. Palace responded with pressure, as Daniel Munoz's cross after interplay with Jorgen Strand Larsen and Adam Wharton forced Dunk to clear.
Sarr had a chance before halftime, breaking clear after Munoz dispossessed Carlos Baleba, but he sliced wide. In the second half, Palace controlled proceedings. Brighton's best opportunity came when Charalampos Kostoulas went through on goal, only for Dean Henderson to save his side-footed effort. Strand Larsen, making his debut, missed two chances to extend the lead: shooting straight at Verbruggen and heading wide.
Late drama saw Munoz, already on a yellow for kicking the ball away, trip an opponent but escape a second booking. Strand Larsen spurned another golden opportunity, firing too close to Verbruggen. The Seagulls, who troubled Champions League spots in December, lacked a killer instinct and couldn't equalize, extending their winless run in a cagey derby.
