Brighton and Palace – An ostentatiously obscure derby

Generally, when the term “derby” is used in a footballing sense, it refers to two teams in the geographical vicinity of one another. However, in what is a rare, curious contradiction to the rule, this does not apply to the resentment shared between Brighton and Palace; in fact, Selhurst Park and The Amex are separated by a gulf of 45 miles.

Often brandished either the A23 or M23 Derby, much to the ire of Albion and Palace fans alike, the latter particularly bizarre considering the motorway does not even touch Brighton; oddly enough, the sides have been locking horns since 1920, yet, mutually felt visceral antipathy did not arise until the late 1970s.

Prior to Crawley Town’s meteoric rise to the Football League in 2011, Brighton had long been the only club hailing from Sussex able to boast league status. Therefore, a modicum of logic can be applied in a locational sense, considering that after Crawley, Palace are the next closest professional club to Albion.

However, it was not planned out in pragmatic fashion, hostilities burgeoning in the year of 1976. Under the stewardship of two promising managers in Brighton’s Alan Mullery and Palace’s Terry Venables, the sides were pitted against one another on five occasions throughout the campaign.

The head honchos were all too familiar with one another, teammates at Spurs, now arch-rivals, aiming to steer their respective clubs out of the Third Division. The duo reportedly already found it difficult to see eye to eye, Venables envious of Mullery being named captain prior to him at White Hart Lane.

Along with having to face off twice due to league commitments, Sod’s Law would have it that the clubs were also drawn together in the FA Cup, and this occasion fuelled the bitter disdain that remains to this day.

Initially playing out a 2-2 stalemate at the Goldstone, the replay took place a mere three days later at Palace and yet again, the pair could not be separated, another draw, this time to the tune of 1-1. Back in this era, extra-time was a faraway dream, ties were played out in full, meaning yet another do-over, at Stamford Bridge.

Postponed twice due to inclement weather, driving already teetering tension, the fixture was eventually held at the home of Chelsea, to the backdrop of 30,000 raucous supporters. Palace opened the scoring, appearing likely to hold onto their slender lead and secure safe passage into the next round, until unquantifiable controversy unravelled with 12 minutes to play.

Albion’s Chris Cattlin was scythed down, earning his side a penalty in the process. Brian Horton stepped up and subsequently slotted home, only for referee Ron Challis to order a re-take, having deemed Palace players to have encroached – in a suspected attempt to gain an advantage. Horton’s second attempt was palmed away by Paul Hammond, Palace held on, progressing to the next stage.

The contest’s final stanza sparked outrage in Alan Mullery and at its conclusion, he stormed towards the man in the middle to convey his disbelief.

Departing the playing field, a Palace supporter launched a steaming hot coffee at an utterly incensed Mullery, before he embarked upon an infamous changing room tirade, the Englishman later recalling:

“I pulled a handful of change out of my pocket, threw it on the floor and shouted – That’s all your worth, Crystal Palace!’ And I’d have shouted it at anyone who did that”

The aforementioned performance incurred a £100 charge from The FA for bringing the game into disrepute. The shared animosity only gained further traction as the clubs secured simultaneous promotion into the First Division in 1979, Palace revelling in their bragging rights, edging out Albion as title winners by winning on the final day.

More recently, the sides were reunited after a four-year lull in 2017, their first clash at Premier League level. Palace defeated Brighton in a two-legged Championship play-off semi-final, delaying the Seagulls Premier League dream and further rubbing salt in the wounds of their arch-nemeses.

Legend has it that, in an attempt to unsettle their rivals, Brighton arranged for the away coach to be directed the wrong away upon arrival, leading to an hour-long merry-go-round, unwantedly taking in the local sights and sounds. Having eventually disembarked at The Amex, an enraged Palace squad emerged into a horrific dressing room, laden with human faeces, an incident that remains unsolved.

Away from the pitch, supporters have engaged in barbaric scenes down the years. On the opening weekend of the 1974/75 campaign, the teams were scheduled to meet at Brighton’s Goldstone. Due to the bumper crowd of 26,000, extra police were enlisted, amalgams of brawls breaking out between rival fans – intoxication blamed due to excess drinking during a smouldering day.

During the following season’s encounter in Brighton, referee Ron Challis contemplated abandoning the match due to Palace supporters peppering the playing surface with a cacophony of smoke bombs and other various projectiles.

Intriguingly enough, Brighton’s nickname, the Seagulls, derives from events unfolding at a Brighton/Palace contest. In response to incessant chants of “Eagles” from visiting fans, the Goldstone’s loyalists, presumably craving their own winged alias, responded with their own bellowing of “Seagulls” – and thus, the club’s original nickname of ‘the Dolphins’, was no more.

Monday’s incarnation of the derby, against all odds, belonged to Palace. For all their attacking zest and verve, Brighton were left utterly bereft, perpetually frustrated by the colossal defensive efforts of Gary Cahill and Cheikhou Kouyate before succumbing to the ultimate sucker punch.

From the offing, it was glaringly evident that Hodgson’s side had arrived to stymie their hosts, content in relinquishing possession and sitting deep. Palace’s approach bore fruit in the 28^th minute, Jordan Ayew blistering down the right, leaving Dan Burn for dead.

Firing in a vicious low centre, the ball sought out Mainz loanee, Jean-Philippe Mateta. Positioned with his back to goal, the forward, operating as a lone frontman for the duration, improvised phenomenally, executing a sublime backheel that eluded both Ben White and Robert Sanchez in the Brighton goal.

Danny Welbeck entered the fray ahead of the second half, Graham Potter hoping to galvanize his attacking corps. The former Arsenal man certainly made an impact, providing a focal point, a significant presence the Seagulls had sorely lacked.

Brighton’s consistent pressure eventually told, and the sides were on level terms in the 55^th minute. Pascal Gross shaped to shoot, Welbeck played a part, as did a touch from Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell in his own area, before it broke for Joel Veltman, who bent a precise effort inside the post.

Albion were now firmly in the driving seat, Vicente Guaita pulled off a stunning double save to deny Leandro Trossard, whilst substitute Adam Lallana spurned a couple of noteworthy opportunities, failing to keep his composure and blazing over.

A sense of if, not when, Brighton were going to clinch a winner, engulfed those in attendance. Improbably, that notion was thrown out entirely with the introduction of Christian Benteke. The much maligned Belgian, signed for a hefty fee from Liverpool back in August 2016, has endured a torrid spell at Selhurst Park thus far, smattered with injuries and a paltry return of goals.

In this unforgettable moment, from a Palace perspective, however, he cemented his place in Eagles folklore for generations to come. Andros Townsend drifted into space on the left, launching a deep cross towards the back stick. There, anticipating ingeniously was Benteke, who struck a first time, delicious volley into the bottom corner, simply unstoppable.

Credit where credit is due, although they rode their luck at times, withstanding a gargantuan 25 shots, the Eagles executed Hodgson’s game plan to perfection and were duly rewarded.

“The game’s not about touches in the opposition box, is it? The game’s about scoring goals and not letting any in,” Hodgson said.”

“I thought we worked unbelievably hard to try and make certain we didn’t let any goals in – Roy Hodgson: Sky Sports”

The approach may not satisfy football purists; however, the victory saw Palace take a huge step in their pursuit of prolonging their longest ever spell in the Premier League. Comparatively, Brighton, despite their ease on the eye, malinger perilously, just four points above the relegation places, increasingly hunted by a resurgent Fulham.

Brighton and Palace may well be a relatively new derby, one thing is for sure though, this rivalry displays no signs of waning. Albion will undoubtedly be seeking revenge after such a heart-breaking climax.

Providing they can solidify their Premier League status, next season’s subsequent chapter, accompanied by the return of supporters, providing a colosseum of vitriol, promises to be riveting.

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