Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton: Late Danny Welbeck header cancels out Jordan Ayew opener in Premier League

Crystal Palace and Brighton played out their fifth straight 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park as both teams reluctantly extended their wait for a Premier League victory.

In a tale of two headers, Jordan Ayew put Palace ahead in the first half as the hosts looked to end their six-match winless run.

But the points would be shared – as they have been the previous four seasons at this ground – when Danny Welbeck’s stunning header earned Brighton a battling draw.

Brighton did win earlier this month, but it is now just two victories in their last 12 Premier League games and they are now winless in three league games.

The Seagulls move up to eighth in the table, while Palace stay 15th.

Palace were good value for their lead, although it did not come until the first minute of first-half added time, with Michael Olise the architect and Ayew the grateful scorer following Bart Verbruggen’s half-clearance under pressure.

For Brighton it was another error punished with a goal – a league-high sixth this season – while they were largely reduced to shots from distance in the opening 45 minutes.

After the break, Brighton played with more purpose and went close through Lewis Dunk before Welbeck scored and then almost bagged the winner late on in bizarre circumstances, only to watch the ball trickle wide after a near-calamity for Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

A league-high 11th goal from a substitute and a 13th point picked up from a losing position this season – Brighton are good at fighting back, but they could sure do with improving from the off.

It took a half-time double substitute to wake them up, but really that made for 45 minutes wasted. They may be eighth, but they are down in 15th in terms of form going by their last 10 games.

Somehow, Roberto De Zerbi needs to bring his brilliant side back to life for a full 90 minutes.

Oh, and that unwanted streak goes on – now 22 league games without a clean sheet, the longest run in their history. That simply has to be corrected if they are to move further up the table.

Michael Olise, Crystal Palace – Boy, can he play. In a match of two halves he was certainly the standout as Palace had the edge in the first half, and he got the assist for Ayew, too.

If we were to give a second player of the match, it would be for Facundo Buonanotte, who came off the bench for Brighton at half-time and was crucial to their improvement.

Crystal Palace: Henderson 6, Clyne 6, Guehi 6, Andersen 6, Mitchell 6, Richards 5, Hughes 6, Lerma 5, Olise 8, Ayew 7, Mateta 7. Subs: Eze 6, Ozoh 6.

Brighton: Verbruggen 6, Van Hecke 7, Igor 7, Dunk 6, Gross 7, Hinshelwood 6, Baleba 5, Gilmour 5, Adingra 5, Joao Pedro 6, Mitoma 6. Subs: Welbeck 7, Buonanotte 7, Lallana 6, Moder 6.

38’ CHANCES! – Firstly, it’s a low Ayew cross which Richards somehow misses and Van Hecke gets a boot to. It then falls to Mateta, whose shot is blocked by Gross, and THEN it bounces towards Olise, who sees his shot blocked as well – this time by Igor!

45+1’ GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 1-0 BRIGHTON (AYEW) – Brighton are punished! Verbruggen is closed down and his half-clearance finds the head of Olise, who then receives the ball back from Hughes and crosses it in for Ayew, who does the rest! A header that the Brighton ‘keeper can’t get near.

51’ BLOCK – Gross’ cross finds Welbeck, whose header is on target but Ayew is there with a vital block. He wouldn’t have known much about it, but right place, right time.

55’ ANOTHER YELLOW – A BIG CHANCE! – Both Richards and Mitchell foul Buonanotte simultaneously. Quite how referee Brooks knows who to book there I have no idea – but it flashes up as a yellow for Mitchell. It turns into a big chance for Brighton, but Dunk can only head wide of the far post when you just thought it was going to ripple the net.

78’ BIG CHANCE – With Brighton pushing, Palace go on the counter, and you have to say that’s a huge chance for Eze to put the game to bed. It’s great play from Mateta to pick his teammate out, but Eze takes too much time and Van Hecke slides in with a vital block.

82’ GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 1-1 BRIGHTON (WELBECK) – WHAT A HEADER! Gross’ in-swinging cross finds Welbeck, who is virtually on the penalty spot when leaping into the air and sending a stunning looping header into the top corner. Henderson desperately dives to his left but he can’t keep it out!

89’ SO CLOSE FOR BRIGHTON – Almost a calamity! Henderson rushes out and tries to beat Welbeck to the ball… He does, but he punches the ball AGAINST Welbeck as the ball bounces ominously towards goal. But… it ends up going just wide and that is a huge let-off for Palace.

Ayew’s goal was the sixth time Brighton have conceded a goal from one of their own errors this season – more than any other Premier League team.

Aye’s goal was Brighton’s first headed goal of the Premier League season – making them the last of the 20 clubs to score from a header.

Welbeck’s header was Brighton’s 11th from a substitute – a league high.