Crystal Palace missed the chance to go up to fourth in the Premier League as a host of missed chances saw them draw 0-0 with arch-rivals Brighton, who had an awarded penalty overturned by VAR.
A feisty M23 derby started in fine fashion at a raucous Selhurst Park, with Jean-Philippe Mateta firing over a good chance early on, before Ismaila Sarr forced Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen into a fine save.
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Bart Verbruggen denies Ismaila Sarr
In between those two chances, Brighton’s Diego Gomez forced Dean Henderson into a smart stop – but Brighton’s attacking threat would go on to dwindle – they had one forgettable shot after the 46th minute.
Instead, it was Palace who had the impetus, particularly after half-time. One move saw the hosts break forward in numbers with Sarr dallying when through on goal, before Daichi Kamada hit the side netting.
But then Brighton thought they had the opener when Tim Robinson awarded the Seagulls a penalty after Georginio Rutter went down under the challenge of Jaydee Canvot, making his full Premier League debut in place of the injured Marc Guehi.
Replays showed Rutter actually initiated the contact with the 19-year-old defender, so Robinson was sent to the monitor by VAR Paul Howard, which led to the spot kick being ruled out.
Palace got even more confidence from that incident and Kamada struck the side netting from a tight angle, before substitute Yeremy Pino forced Verbruggen into a good near post save in the final minute of stoppage time.
But, with draws being commonplace in this fixture, it was another derby contest where neither did enough to win the game.
More to follow…