Palace Victory Deepens Brighton’s Managerial Woes

BRIGHTON (Azat TV) – Crystal Palace ended a dismal nine-game winless streak in the Premier League on Sunday, February 8, 2026, defeating fierce rivals Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 at the Amex Stadium thanks to a second-half goal from Ismaila Sarr. The crucial victory not only offered a significant lift to Palace’s relegation fears but also intensified the growing pressure on Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, whose team has now secured just one win in their last 12 league fixtures.

The decisive moment arrived just after the hour mark when Senegalese forward Ismaila Sarr netted his 10th goal of the season across all competitions. Sarr calmly lifted the ball over Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after collecting a precise pass from second-half substitute Evann Guessand, who was making his debut for Palace after arriving on loan from Aston Villa. This marked Palace’s first shot on target in a match largely devoid of attacking quality from both sides, reflecting their respective struggles with form.

Crystal Palace Breaks Winless Spell

For Crystal Palace, the victory was a significant morale booster, ending a protracted period without a Premier League win that stretched back nine games. Their last triumph had come against Shelbourne in the Conference League on December 11, when the Eagles were still positioned in the Premier League’s top four. The win, secured with a battling performance against their local rivals, eased some of the pressure on manager Oliver Glasner, who is reportedly planning to depart Selhurst Park at the end of the season.

The three points lifted Palace above Brighton in the league table, moving them to 32 points and creating a nine-point buffer from the relegation zone. Key striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was notably absent from the fixture due to a knee injury, which also scuppered his potential transfer to AC Milan earlier in the week. His absence opened the door for Jorgen Strand Larsen, a former Wolves striker, to make his full debut for Palace on the south coast.

Brighton Manager Under Intense Scrutiny

Conversely, the defeat deepened the crisis for Brighton and their young manager, Fabian Hurzeler. The Seagulls have now recorded only one Premier League victory since January 3, a 2-0 win against struggling Burnley. This extended poor run has seen them collect fewer points than almost any other team in the league since December, with only Burnley and Wolves performing worse.

The full-time whistle at the Amex Stadium was met with a chorus of boos from the home supporters, with some fans directing chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” towards the 32-year-old German manager as he left the pitch. This palpable discontent followed similar expressions of frustration after Brighton’s 1-1 draw at home against Everton the previous weekend, as reported by BBC Sport.

Debutants and Missed Records

Despite the negative result, the match saw a notable debut for Brighton’s teenage winger Harry Howell, who, at 17 years and 294 days, became the youngest player to start a top-flight game for the Seagulls. Fellow youngster Charalampos Kostoulas also had Brighton’s best chance, forcing a decent save from Palace’s Dean Henderson after Sarr’s opener. Experienced midfielder James Milner, however, remained on the bench, missing the opportunity to equal Gareth Barry’s Premier League all-time appearance record of 653 games, a detail noted by The Guardian.

Both teams are set to return to Premier League action on Wednesday, February 11. Brighton faces a challenging away trip to third-placed Aston Villa, while Crystal Palace will host Burnley at Selhurst Park, hoping to build on their derby victory.

The result underscores the precarious nature of Premier League management, with Oliver Glasner finding some respite despite his impending departure, while Fabian Hurzeler faces escalating scrutiny as Brighton struggles for consistency, demonstrating how a single derby victory can dramatically shift immediate trajectories for rival clubs.