Intro
“Why do Palace and Brighton hate each other?”, “How is Palace v Brighton a rivalry?”, are just two of the most common questions asked in the build-up to any fixture between the two clubs.
Every season, the Palace-Brighton rivalry is one that continues to puzzle outsiders. Given that most rivalries are founded on local territories, it may be unusual that the two teams absolutely despise each other given that they lie a mere 46 miles apart. But, the hatred is very real and this article will take you through the foundations, history and key flashpoints in this rivalry.
History
The rivalry rose to prominence during the 1970s when both teams were fighting for promotion in the Third Division. During this era, the two clubs played each other numerous times throughout the league and cup competitions.
The games between the two sides would always attract season-high crowds in excess of 25,000 people. Alongside this, there have always been violent clashes between both sets of supporters given how easily connected the train lines are from Croydon to Brighton. The battles in the terraces created the intensity that would be triggered by the events on the pitch. An encounter between the two sides in 1976 was marred by serious crowd trouble with fans launching smoke bombs and missiles onto the pitch. Such turbulence almost led to the fixture being abandoned.
Alan Mullery and The infamous FA Cup tie
Tensions between the two clubs rose even further in the 1976/77 season. Palace and Brighton faced each other a historic five times that year, twice in the league and three times in the FA Cup, due to playing two replays. After drawing twice at either ground, the infamous third FA Cup tie occurred at Stamford Bridge.
Palace would eventually win the contest 1-0 but under extremely controversial circumstances. In the 78th minute, Brighton were awarded a penalty. The penalty, which was converted by Brian Horton, was disallowed because the referee adjudged that players had encroached upon the penalty area. When Horton retook the penalty, it was saved by the Palace keeper and the Eagles ran out 1-0 winners.
After the final whistle, Brighton manager Alan Mullery was so furious with the referee that he had to be escorted off the pitch. Given his anger, he threw up 'v-signs' and repeatedly swore at the Palace supporters in the stands. Rumour has it he then entered the Palace dressing room and threw five pounds on the floor, telling Palace manager and ex-teammate, Terry Venables, "Your team's not worth that."
Hysterically enough, much to Palace fan’s objection to the appointment, Alan Mullery would go on to manage Palace for a short spell in 1982 until 1984. His arrival was so unpopular that Palace fans refused to attend games under his tenure, leading to some of Palace’s worst-ever attendances at Selhurst Park. He also did not make things better for himself by losing both games against Brighton while he was Palace manager. To this day, Alan Mullery is still widely reviled amongst the Palace fanbase and is seen as one of the people who intensified the fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
The New Era
From 1990 until 2011, the two sides would only play each other a total of four times in the league which put the rivalry on hold. Due to Brighton’s off-field financial problems they were often lingering around the bottom of the third and fourth tier of English Football. The financial situation was so damaging for Brighton that they almost fell out of the Football League altogether in 1998. When Palace and Brighton eventually met in the Championship in 2002, it was the first time the two sides had faced each other in 13 years.
The Play-offs
The 2012/13 Championship season is an iconic landmark in the rivalry. With Palace and Brighton both vying for Premier League promotion, they would face each other four times. The first contest came in December 2012 where an in-form Crystal Palace side comfortably beat Brighton 3-0 thanks to two goals from former Brighton striker Glenn Murray.
Brighton returned a similar knockout punch in March 2013 when two goals from Argentinian striker Leonardo Ulloa helped them beat their rivals 3-0. This victory also marked Brighton’s first home league win over Palace in 25 years.
By the time the end of the season came, Brighton finished 4th and Palace finished 5th meaning that the two sides would continue their rivalry into the Championship play-off semi-finals, the winner over the two legs would advance to the final at Wembley for a chance to win promotion to the Premier League.
In what would arguably be the two most significant games in the rivalry’s history. Palace and Brighton fought out a cagey 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park in the first leg. Going into the decisive second leg, the tie would eventually be decided at the AMEX by a player that Brighton fans despise more than anyone, Wilfried Zaha.
The Ivorian scored the only two goals in front of the travelling Palace fans as the Eagles secured an impressive 2-0 away victory. Palace advanced to the play-off final at Wembley where Wilfried Zaha would continue his brilliance by winning the crucial penalty, dispatched by Kevin Phillips, that sent Palace to the Premier League.
Poster boys: Wilfried Zaha & Lewis Dunk
Wilfried Zaha, more often than not, has been Brighton’s arch-nemesis on several occasions. Most notably, it was Zaha who spearheaded Palace to that famous comeback in 2011 as they became the first side to win a league game at Brighton’s new AMEX Stadium. When Brighton eventually got promoted to the Premier League in 2017, it was Zaha who famously called them out saying that Palace had been waiting for them to finally reach their level. And finally, it was again Zaha who broke Brighton hearts in the 2013 Championship play-offs.
Zaha has registered 8 goals and 2 assists in 14 games against the Seagulls, losing just 3 times. Being a local south London boy and rising through the ranks at Selhurst Park, Zaha fully understands how much the rivalry means to the Palace faithful. As a player who wears his heart on his sleeve and relishes being a menace to the opposition, Zaha is always fired up for games against Brighton.
On the other hand, Brighton captain, Lewis Dunk, is similarly hated by Crystal Palace fans. Lewis Dunk, who has been sent off twice against Palace in his career, is the Brighton poster boy. He’s been with the club since the age of 13, supports them, and is from the area. Therefore, just like Zaha, he understands, exactly how much the Crystal Palace rivalry means and has never hidden his contempt for Palace.
Lewis Dunk is always given abuse by Palace fans every time the clubs meet. Dunk strongly detests Palace fans given that they never fail to remind him of the time he was on trial for sexual assault on a teenage woman in 2013. Although Dunk was cleared of all charges and found not guilty, Palace fans continue to direct chants towards the Brighton captain about the events.
This rivalry may not be as big or as glamorous as the Old Firm or the North London derby but one thing to note is that the contest is rising in stature and there is an evident hatred between the two clubs. Even in the post-hooliganism era, violence has marred this fixture off the pitch and there is always a heavy police presence at the games.
At the last meeting between both clubs at Selhurst Park, Lewis Dunk and other Brighton players had to be escorted off safely as Palace fans, understandably furious after Neal Maupay’s last gasp-equaliser, hurled abuse and tried to approach the players while being riled up by Brighton players’ consistent goading after the final whistle. One could argue that since Palace and Brighton are now establishing their rivalry in the top-flight, the rivalry is as hostile as it’s ever been since the 1970s. Even though Palace contest the fierce South London derby with neighbours Millwall and Charlton, it’s the rivalry with Brighton that matters the most.