Palace and Brighton share the spoils after VAR drama at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace and Brighton were forced to settle for a point each after a tense but uninspiring goalless draw at Selhurst Park, where VAR overturned a second-half penalty that could have handed the Seagulls victory, Sport360NG reports.

The match began brightly, with both sides carving out early openings in the first 10 minutes, but the initial promise quickly faded as the game settled into a slow rhythm.

Brighton thought they had a golden chance to break the deadlock just past the hour mark when Georginio Rutter went down under pressure from Jaydee Canvot. Referee Tim Robinson initially pointed to the spot, but after being called to the monitor by VAR, he reversed his decision and booked Rutter for simulation.

Palace, boosted by the return of England midfielder Adam Wharton but missing injured captain Marc Guehi, created the first real threat through Jean-Philippe Mateta after clever build-up play from Ismaila Sarr.

Brighton quickly replied as Diego Gomez controlled a high ball beautifully before forcing Dean Henderson into a sharp save. Moments later, Sarr tested Bart Verbruggen at the other end, but after that, chances were few and far between as both sides struggled to create clear opportunities.

The visitors came closest before the break when Gomez dispossessed Wharton and slid a pass to Yankuba Minteh, only for the winger to drag his shot badly wide.

Palace should have gone ahead early in the second half after Wharton stole the ball from Carlos Baleba deep in Brighton territory, but Sarr and Daichi Kamada both failed to capitalise, with Kamada eventually shooting off target.

In stoppage time, substitute Yeremy Pino nearly snatched a late winner for the hosts, but Verbruggen reacted well to parry his low strike, ensuring the spoils were shared after a largely forgettable contest.

Palace: Solid but Missing Their Spark

Losing captain Marc Guehi was a setback for Oliver Glasner’s side, though young defender Jaydee Canvot impressed as his replacement. With their Europa Conference League campaign adding to fixture congestion, Palace’s relatively thin squad will be tested by injuries and fatigue as the season progresses.

Glasner made three changes from Thursday’s win over AZ Alkmaar, including the enforced one for Guehi, meaning seven outfield players had to go again just two days later. The Eagles started brightly, with Sarr and Mateta combining well, but their energy waned as the game went on.

Despite that, Palace arguably created the better chances after the interval, with Kamada twice going close before Pino’s late effort was denied. In the end, they had to settle for a draw, a fair result, but one that reflects the physical toll of their recent schedule.

Brighton: Defensive Discipline, Attacking Bluntness

Unlike their hosts, Brighton had enjoyed a full week’s rest, but Fabian Hürzeler’s team looked equally sluggish. The German coach, who was booked for dissent and now faces a touchline suspension, will take encouragement from back-to-back clean sheets, matching his side’s total from their previous 22 league outings.

Going forward, however, the Seagulls lacked invention. Diego Gomez was the standout performer, creating four chances, twice as many as any other player, but Minteh’s poor finishing summed up their attacking struggles.

Rutter, booked for diving in the overturned penalty incident, offered little threat alongside Danny Welbeck, with neither managing a single shot.

It’s been an oddly inconsistent start to the campaign for Brighton, who sit 11th in the Premier League table, one point behind Palace in 10th after 11 matches.