Wilfried Zaha denied Brighton bragging rights in the M23 derby as points were shared at Selhurst Park.

Neal Maupay gave Graham Potter’s men a deserved lead shortly after the break after a first half Palace failed to register a single shot.

Triggered into life by the introduction of Max Meyer, Roy Hodgson’s men levelled through a thunderbolt from Palace’s crown jewel with 15 minutes to go.

The point lifts the Eagles above Arsenal into ninth and extends their unbeaten run to four matches.

Poor Opening

Aaron Mooy drew gasps from the home fans when his 25-yard effort shaved the post on five minutes after a bright opening from the visitors.

Hearts were in mouths 20 minutes later as Jairo Riedewald’s challenge in the box on Martin Montaya was deemed fair by VAR, as the ever-impressive Guaita subsequntly made a fine save to deny the former Barcelona man.

The Seagulls were utterly dominant as Yves Bissouma and Davy Propper forced the busy Guaita into saves from distance.

Christian Benteke, making his first league start under Hodgson since August, found life difficult and picked up a yellow for a stray elbow on Lewis Dunk, which was seemingly his only contribution in the opening half.

Conceding over 65% possession Hodgson introduced James McCarthy for Riedewald at the break in an attempt to combat the Seagull’s confident middle-men.

Turning Point

Palace had their first attempt of the 90 three minutes after the break.

Benteke latching on to a Cheikhou Kouyate’s through ball and seeing his cross beat Mat Ryan only to come back out off the bar.

The uplifting start was short lived as the visitors deservedly took the lead through the lively Maupay who finished Pascal Gross’s volleyed cross superbly on 52 minutes.

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Brighton nearly made it two moments later but the usually flawless Guaita gathered a deep cross that came off the bar at the second time of asking with Maupay ready to pounce.

Max Meyer entered the fray to add some much needed creativity and the Eagles did show more endeavour.

Benteke forced Ryan into a good but routine stop at his near post while Zaha caused confusion more frequently down the left.

They were warned and it was Zaha who levelled the scores with 15 minutes to go, pinning Montaya back before firing home into the roof of the net from the angle.

Jordan Ayew saw an effort go over the bar after some strong play from Benteke who looked a different player in the second half.

With their tails up and looking for a winner Palace were nearly done at the other end as Lewis Dunk saw his header whistle over from close range.

With the game petering towards the final whistle, Maupay thought he’s snatched victory but his acrobatic effort went inches wide before Craig Pawson blew the final whistle.

Teams:

Crystal Palace: Guaita, Kelly, Dann, Tomkins, Riedewald(McCarthy 46’), Milivojevic, McArthur, Kouyate(Meyer 67’), Zaha, Ayew, Benteke SUBS: Hennessey, Meyer, Wickham, McCarthy, Camarasa, Woods, Mitchell

Brighton: Ryan, Dunk, Webster, Montoya, Bissouma (Duffy 84’), Gross, Mooy, Propper, Burn, Trossard (Alzate 84’), Maupay SUBS: Button, Duffy, Jahanbakhsh, Murray, Schelotto, Bernardo, Alzate