Yankuba Minteh wows, Jan Paul van Hecke flops: Brighton ratings v Crystal Palace
Brighton endured more disappointment as they were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side had been on the end of a 3-0 beating by Aston Villa in midweek, and things did not start well for them here either.
A stunning strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta with just two minutes on the clock put the hosts in front to send the home support into jubilation.
Brighton though would get their equaliser on the half-hour mark, when a brilliant cross from Yankuba Minteh was clinically turned into the bottom corner by Danny Welbeck to make it 1-1.
That was enough to ensure both sides would go in all square at half time following an entertaining opening 45 minutes.
The visitors though would find themselves trailing again early in the second half, with Daniel Munoz firing into the bottom corner after being found by Ebechi Eze.
With 12 minutes to go Brighton were given an opportunity to get back into the game after Crystal Palace substitute Eddie Nketiah was sent off for two bookable offences.
The visitors were then given an even bigger man advantage as the game entered 12 minutes of stoppage time when Marc Guehi became the second player for Oliver Glasner’s side to receive two yellow cards.
Brighton would themselves have a man sent off deep into stoppage time, as Jan Paul van Hecke became the third player of the match to receive two bookings.
Despite all of that, there would be no equaliser for the Seagulls, as they slipped to a defeat that leaves them winless in their last four games in all competitions.
| Brighton last five games | Result |
| Fulham (H) | Won 2-1 |
| Man City (A) | Drew 2-2 |
| Nottingham Forest (H) | Drew 0-0 (lost 4-3 on penalties) |
| Aston Villa (H) | Lost 3-0 |
| Crystal Palace (A) | Lost 2-1 |
Here is how Football Insider rated the performances of the Brighton players during that clash with Crystal Palace.
Bart Verbruggen – 6
Verbruggen has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich recently, but couldn’t do much about the goals, and didn’t have many other saves to make.
Jack Hinshelwood – (off for Wieffer, ’90+3) – 5
Was given a tough examination with the skill and pace of the hosts’ attack, and seemed to struggle to get forward.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 3
Looked to have strayed to give Mateta the space he needed for the opener, and had a challenging afternoon against the Crystal Palace attack before his second yellow which he knew was coming the moment he brought down his man.
Lewis Dunk – 5
Dunk returned to the starting XI following the injury to Adam Webster, but may also be disappointed with the part he played in the first goal Brighton conceded.
Lewis Dunk also poor as Brighton centre-backs struggle
Pervis Estupinan – (off for Ayari, ’81) – 6
Worked hard to get forward on the left for his side, but was unable to really find the final telling delivery his side needed.
Diego Gomez – (off for Gruda, ’72) – 5
Struggled to find a way to really unlock things for his side, or break into the penalty area to offer an attacking threat for Brighton.
Carlos Baleba – 6
Baleba has attracted interest from Liverpool this season, and brought a good save from Henderson with a decent long-range effort in the first half, but wasn’t his most eye-catching performance otherwise.
Yankuba Minteh (off for March, ’72) – 8 – Man of the Match
Some really bright runs in the first half especially, and produced a stunning cross to assist Welbeck for the equaliser.
Danny Welbeck shows he’s still got it
Matt O’Riley (off for Pedro, ’63) – 6
A first start for several weeks after a long injury absence, and can be reasonably pleased with his efforts as he came through just over an hour of the game.
Karou Mitoma (off for Adingra, ’63) – 6
Made a number of promising runs and produced some deft touches, but ulitmately struggled for an end product here.
Danny Welbeck – 7
The veteran centre-forward offered a decent threat while leading the line, and produced a really clever run and finish to convert the equaliser.
Substitutes
Simon Adringra (on for Mitoma, ’63) – 5
Couldn’t unlock the Crystal Palace defence after his introduction.
Joao Pedro (on for O’Riley, ’63) – 5
Another game where he started on the bench and was unable to offer much of a goal threat.
Solly March (on for Minteh, ’72) – 5
Picked up a silly booking that shut down a Brighton attack as they searched for an equaliser.
Brajan Gruda (on for Gomez, ’72) – 6
Showed some attacking threat and had one opportunity squandered late on.
Yasin Ayari (on for Estupinan, ’81) – 6
Looked a danger and produced one excellent save from Henderson right at the death.
Mats Wieffer (on for Hinshelwood, ’90+3) – 4
Sold Van Hecke short with a pass that led to the centre-back being shown a second yellow card.