26th Jan 2024 • Written by Henry Swain

Second-half comeback sees young Eagles defeat rivals Brighton

When Crystal Palace meet Brighton at any level, the tension is always high. But there are no fixtures that have proved to be quite as entertaining as they are when the clubs under-21s meet.

The previous four fixtures have seen sixteen goals and two red cards, setting up an enthralling matchup as the sides met at Copers Cope on Friday afternoon. Under-18 starlet Zach Marsh stepped up to make his first start at this level following the departure of goal-machine Ademola Ola-Adebomi, who has joined League One side Burton Albion for the remainder of the season.

Prior to the game, Brighton sat comfortably in fifth place in Premier League Two, while Palace occupied fifteenth, seven points behind the Seagulls.

Match Action

A quiet opening to the game saw a fairly even affair with few chances created. Palace were the better side in the first twenty minutes but failed to create any major chances, while Brighton struggled to keep good possession.

However, after a rash challenge from Justin Devenny, a well-worked set-piece routine found Louis Flower, who guided a header into the far corner. The goal was certainly against the run of play and came from Brighton’s first shot of the game.

The momentum of the game swung in the visitors' favour, who grew in confidence as the first half progressed. Palace were on the wrong end of some nasty challenges throughout the first 45 minutes, and Brighton were lucky not to have a man sent off after Jacob Slater flung an arm into the face of Danny Imray. The Brighton left-back only saw yellow.

The Palace right-back was frequently involved as he always is and almost found an assist to Joe Sheridan, the central defender failing to get any true purchase on the headed attempt following an excellent Imray cross.

Whitworth was called into action at the end of the first half when he pushed a strong near-post effort up and back into his hands.

Palace came out of the traps firing in the second half after a lovely early attempt from Danny Imray, who mis-hit a cross and almost caught the Brighton goalkeeper unaware.

But Palace’s exciting start to the second half did not last as the Palace set-up was not working as the visitors were able to ease their way through a mismanaged press. Brighton moved the ball well, and at times it looked as if they had a player more on the pitch.

Palace’s midfield players failed to get a foot on the ball with any sort of control, and that enabled Brighton to step in and win possession back easily.

In the 57th minute, Imray took matters into his own hands, carrying the ball forward and rolling it onto his left foot as three Brighton defenders attempted to stop him, with the right back unleashing a ferocious left-footed strike into the far post, leaving the keeper standing.

The goal ignited new-found control from Palace, who took advantage of the momentum the goal provided and began to grow into the game. However, in similar fashion to the opening goal, Brighton sprung against the run of play and somehow failed to go ahead as Luca Barrington smashed a close-range effort over the bar.

As the game entered the final twenty minutes, Franco Umeh was denied well by the Brighton goalkeeper, and Jadan Raymond couldn’t quite get on the spilled ball, which was knocked behind for a corner.

The Palace pressure would pay off just after the introductions of Roshaun Mathurin and Brendan Kiernan, as Justin Devenny’s corner found the head of Franco Umeh, who rose the highest to power his attempt into the back of the net and give Palace a lead to defend as the game entered the final ten minutes.

Kiernan, who is currently on trial at the club, met the ball with an incredible half-volley at the beginning of added time, his effort denied by the crossbar. Tempers began to rise as the Brighton players became frustrated by the scoreline. Multiple late challenges and a kick out on Luke Plange went unpunished by the referee, the game coming to an end after a late Brighton corner was cleared well by Joe Sheridan.

Player Ratings

Joe Whitworth - 7.5
Whitworth is so confident and commanding during games that you can hear his communication throughout the game. He couldn’t have done much to prevent Brighton’s first goal, with Flower putting it so perfectly into the far corner that few keepers would have stood a chance. 

Danny Imray - 9 (POTM)
It was an all-round performance from the right back today as he set the tone for the Palace comeback. He was brilliant defensively and frustrated his opposing fullback to the extent that he received a punch in the face for it.

Imray’s crossing continues to be some of the best at this level. He has the unique ability to hit the ball with pace and precision, but he also gives it the ‘floating’ effect, which makes meeting the cross easier. He took his goal with such confidence, and yet again, he was one of the most influential players on the pitch for Palace. 

Kaden Rodney - 7
Rodney was put alongside Sheridan yet again, which may be one of his last games playing in central defence after the arrival of Cragi Farquhar. He had a decent outing again, though, and was solid when called upon. It was a strange game in the sense that the majority of the competitive action was played by the midfielders, but Rodney stepped in to make some strong and important challenges.  

Joe Sheridan - 7
Sheridan is developing well as each game passes. He was strong today and made some excellent blocks and clearances, areas of his game that have become extremely consistent. He took charge at the back in the final moments when he cleared the danger before the final whistle. The pressure has been piled on Sheridan following Seàn Grehan’s loan departure, and he’s doing well so far to keep his performance levels high.

Noah Watson - 7
Watson continues to be a player who goes relatively under the radar amongst this Palace under-21 side, and that is not a bad thing. He rarely puts a foot wrong and defends with confidence and capability. With Imray on his opposite side, it’s not surprising that Watson’s attacking output looks less impressive. The left-back slots in to create a back three when Imray attacks, which also results in the left winger, Franco Umeh, dropping deeper to cover at left back today. 

Jadan Raymond - 7.5
Raymond is an extremely exciting player, and he showed in moments the elite level of footwork that he possesses. He frustrated the Brighton defence and midfield, winning numerous freekicks with his dancing feet, which he uses to dribble through opponents and create chances.

He was unlucky not to score a late goal himself when a loose save almost fell to his feet, denied a tap-in solely by a brilliant clearance from a Brighton defender. If Raymond is able to keep fit and progress with the same trajectory he has, he could well be an important player for the club going forward.

Jack Wells-Morrison - 7
The key battle in this game was in the midfield, and that resulted in a busy afternoon for Wells-Morrison and Devenny alongside him. It was a solid performance at times, but there were also periods of the game where Brighton were able to play straight through Palace, and the entire midfield struggled to prevent this from happening. He put in some crucial challenges and also won fouls, which helped Palace calm the game down amid the high intensity that Brighton aimed to play with.

Justin Devenny - 7.5
Similarly to his midfield partner, Devenny struggled at times in the game. He works exceptionally hard, however, and is a player who seems to be involved in almost every move in a game. He assisted the winning goal with a brilliant corner and showed the passion he has for some big challenges in the tightly contested middle of the pitch.

Franco Umeh - 7
Umeh had a very quiet game as he was forced to play deep due to the pressing nature of Brighton’s play. However, when it mattered the most, he made the difference, rising highest and beating the Albion keeper to the ball as he powered his header low into the net. While this was his only key contribution to the game, we doubt he’ll be complaining about a late winner against this opposition in particular, especially on his birthday.

He really grew into the game when he was moved to the right-hand side late on, combining well with Imray and ultimately finding the decisive goal.

Luke Plange - 6.5
Another quiet performance from a Palace forward today. Plange ran around a lot and attempted to press well, but the entire structure of the team’s press left him isolated. He failed to create any big chances when he did get on the ball and wasn’t able to stamp his name on the game with a goal as he has done in his previous two outings.

A part of his game that came through today was the bite and aggression he has, which benefited his performance. He frustrated the Brighton defenders and was on the receiving end of a kick-out from a floored opponent. He doesn’t back down from physical encounters and clearly enjoys this side of the game.

Zach Marsh - 6
It was a baptism of fire in ways for Marsh, who, at no fault of his own, has an increased level of pressure on his shoulders due to his quite frankly absurd first half of the season. He struggled to get a grip on the game against a strong central defensive partnership and looked as if he lacked the confidence to take on his man in the devastating fashion he has been doing for the under-18s.

The next few months are going to be very important for his development, and playing up at his age is only going to do good things for his overall progression. A goal in his next outing could be important to ensure his confidence stays high.

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