Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton: It’s spoils shared in the ‘M23 Derby’ as Danny Welbeck’s unorthodox late header cancels out Jordan Ayew’s first half opener

If the draw at Manchester City was one to celebrate for Crystal Palace, this didn't feel quite the same.

It was perhaps predictable given that the last four meetings between these two at Selhurst Park have ended 1-1.

But the fifth was accompanied by enormous frustration for Palace.

Just before half time they led through Jordan Ayew's goal.

But instead of trying to extend their lead, they sat back a lot, much to the frustration of the restless natives, and ultimately, and almost inevitably, paid the price for allowing Brighton to take the initiative.

The ex-Man United striker sent an unorthodox header into the top corner in the 82nd minute

Palace were dreaming of a win when Jordan Ayew (right) headed them into a first-half lead

Hodgson's former England striker Danny Welbeck's brilliantly placed late header was the least Brighton deserved for their dominance and denied Palace a first win in seven.

If Palace had held on it might not have been pretty, but it would have effectively been three points. The result justifies the approach.

But two were dropped instead, putting a dent in some of the goodwill Palace earned at the Etihad.

As at City, there were full-time cheers at Palace. But this time they were more relieved, having survived wave after wave of second-half pressure from Brighton.

There was no real pedestrian derby feel to the opening stages, nor of quality, apart from a sharp pass from Jefferson Lerma that put Michael Olise through but ultimately led to nothing.

And it took more than twenty minutes before Brighton's controlled possession created a chance.

Igor Julio's pass bounced past Jack Hinshelwood and Marc Guehi as they challenged for it on the edge of the Palace box.

The ball eventually found its way to Simon Adingra, who steadied himself before letting it fly only for Dean Henderson, making his home debut after an impressive Palace bow at Manchester City, to push the Brighton winger's shot away.

Bart Verbruggen's first save of the match was much simpler: Jean-Philippe Mateta's effort was hit well, but straight at the Brighton goalkeeper.

The lack of chances was partly due to a lack of attacking inspiration from both sides, but also due to good defense.

Joachim Andersen and Guehi, with Chris Richards in front of them, gave Palace a setup that was difficult for Brighton to break.

The Seagulls put bodies on the line when necessary. Lewis Dunk slammed the door shut with a timely block when Mateta thought he was about to clear the goal.

Then in one flurry of Palace activity, Jan Paul van Hecke, Billy Gilmour and Carlos Baleba produced quick-fire blocks to prevent Richards, Mateta and Olise Verbruggen from troubling.

Brighton only had themselves to blame for the overplay at the back and Ayew headed in

It led to wild celebrations at Selhurst Park, but Brighton would quickly regain control of the ball

Roberto De Zerbi made two substitutions during half-time, which ultimately changed the game

Ultimately, Verbruggen invited his own problems. He looked to get away with dawdling on the ball as he avoided being dispossessed close to his goal by turning away from the pressure Richards was applying.

But his clearance was sloppy and was intercepted by Olise, who recovered the ball from Will Hughes and crossed for Ayew to take full advantage of Verbruggen's error and head Palace into the lead.

Inevitable taunts followed when Verbruggen had the ball at his feet when play resumed after half-time, having failed to help calm things down by getting in front of a high ball and misjudging it.

Roberto De Zerbi was not impressed with his team's offering in the first half and brought on Danny Welbeck and Facundo Buonanotte during the break.

There was a small improvement and almost a goal from public enemy No. 1 Dunk, whose header from Gross's free kick went just past the top corner.

However, the pressure on Palace and Henderson continued to increase. Brighton had a penalty case waved away when the referee ruled that Hinshelwood had kicked to the ground instead of being stopped by Ayew.

Lerma then blocked Buonanotte's effort before Henderson dived full length to push away Billy Gilmour's successor.

Karou Mitoma had a quiet night by his standards and ultimately left with an injury

He shouldn't have had any chance as the ball flashed across his goal to Hinshelwood, but the Brighton youngster fired over before Palace survived another scare when Henderson spilled a high ball.

They needed an outlet and Eberechi Eze came to help them get onto the field.

His introduction looked like a masterstroke as Palace broke and Mateta fed Eze but Van Hecke crossed to block his route to goal.

And failure to take advantage of that opportunity proved costly when Welbeck headed in Gross' cross to level for Brighton.