Debutant Whitworth Unable To Prevent Palace Defeat At Brighton

Despite managing shots on target for the first time in three games, a single goal was enough to see the Eagles continue their search for a win this calendar year leaving plenty of question marks and not just about the managerial position.

TIME/ DATE/ VENUE

• 7.30pm
• 15^th March 2023
• American Express Community Stadium, Village Way, Brighton BN1 9BL

RESULT

Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Crystal Palace

PLAYER RATINGS

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 2 Joel WARD, 4 Luka MILIVOJEVIC, 5 James TOMKINS, 26 Chris RICHARDS, 63 Owen GOODMAN

OPPOSITION LINE-UP

UNSED SUBSTITUTES – 1 Robert SANCHEZ, 21 Deniz UNDAV, 27 Billy GILMOUR, 29 Jan Paul VAN HECK, 40 Facundo BUONANOTTE

TEB VERDICT

An early flurry pushed the hosts onto the back foot and looked to surprise them somewhat but after Brighton scored on their first foray forward, Palace never looked like finding an equaliser even after creating a number of chances.

This is more than getting back to the drawing board, this is much more than that. The manager, his staff and the players need to take a look at themselves long and hard as this side is slowly but surely walking on a knife edge of a relegation battle.

While there is plenty of football still to be played, the only hope is that Palace remain hard to beat with a stout defence but if they cannot find a way of scoring goals then the rest of the season will be very long indeed.

The big question is, after this first defeat to Brighton in goodness knows how long, do we stick with Patrick Vieira until the end of the season?

POST GAME QUOTES

PATRICK VIEIRA

“In the first half we were aggressive and managed to win the ball in good areas of the field and we could have scored. When I look at the spirit, discipline and work ethic I am satisfied.

The problem is we don’t score those goals and we don’t make the right decisions in the last third. It is confidence. We had a really good game plan. We were aggressive enough but with a lack of talent at times and killer instinct and ruthlessness to put the ball in the net.

Today we showed the character and personality. We played some really good football at times. When you look at those aspects its positive but the most important is to score and we have to keep being positive and change our mindset, especially the front players.”

JOE WHITWORTH

“It was a tough game to lose today. We really needed to win this but we’re going through a tough patch. We had a few good chances to put away but as a team we didn’t do too much to win the game. In every game there will be chances and we need to take them. They hit us well on the counter, put a good ball in behind and it was hit well beyond me. We’ve been going through a tough run of games and Patrick keeps reinforcing that we need to stay positive but it just isn’t going our way at the moment.”

ROBERTO DE ZERBI

“In the first 15 minutes it was very difficult. We had prepared the game in different tactical positions. After 20 minutes we played our game. We had the possibilities to close the game and then if you don’t the last part was very difficult. It is a very good moment for Solly and the team and no we have to prepare for the next game and a very important next step for Brighton and our mentality. The most important thing is the fans understood our style of play and in England this is a great challenge. The players believe in our style. We didn’t play our best game but if you win it is better.”

MATCH STATISTICS

POSITION IN THE TABLE (at the final whistle)

UPCOMING FIXTURES

19/03/23 Arsenal (a) – Premier League (2pm)

01/04/23 Leicester City (h) – Premier League (3pm)

08/04/23 Leeds United (a) – Premier League (5.30pm)