Brighton's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez dives but fails to save the goal from Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke, centre, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the Falmer stadium in Brighton, England, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (Andy Rain/Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
BRIGHTON, England (AP) - Substitute Christian Benteke thumped home a dramatic last-ditch volley as Crystal Palace snatched a 2-1 victory at bitter rival Brighton in the English Premier League on Monday.
The Belgium striker lashed in Andros Townsend's cross in the fifth minute of added time to return Palace to winning ways following successive defeats which had led to growing supporter unrest.
Brighton dominated proceedings at Amex Stadium and leveled through Joel Veltman after the Eagles led at halftime courtesy of a superb, back-heeled finished from French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Palace showed little ambition for much of the match and once again struggled to create in the absence of injured talisman Wilfried Zaha, with the two superb goals their only attempts on target.
Yet, Eagles manager Roy Hodgson will be more than satisfied with a result which moves his side 10 points above the relegation zone.
Defeat for Brighton halted its club-record Premier League unbeaten run at six games, while scuppering its hopes of leapfrogging its fiercest foe for the first time this season. Graham Potter's men remain just four points clear of the bottom three after failing to capitalize on their superiority.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Crystal Palace players celebrate after Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke, right, scored his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the Falmer stadium in Brighton, England, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
The Associated Press
Brighton's head coach Graham Potter, right, and Crystal Palace's manager Roy Hodgson cheer each other after the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the Falmer stadium in Brighton, England, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)
The Associated Press
Crystal Palace's goalkeeper Vicente Guaita dives but fails to save the goal from Brighton's Joel Veltman, left, during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the Falmer stadium in Brighton, England, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (Mike Hewitt/ Pool via AP)
The Associated Press
Brighton's Danny Welbeck, left, and Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell challenge for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the Falmer stadium in Brighton, England, Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. (Mike Hewitt/ Pool via AP)
The Associated Press