Sanchez mistake allows hosts back in as it ends honours even

Brighton were in charge until goalkeeper Robert Sanchez came to claim a cross, before dropping it into the path of James Tomkins for an easy goal which levelled the score.

Brighton were in the lead thanks to a Solly March strike in the 63rd minute before Sanchez’s mistake allowed Palace back in only six minutes later.

The Seagulls could’ve already been two goals up, but for VAR disallowing a first-half goal.

Estupinan thought he had broken the deadlock when he curled into the top corner after 32 minutes but was ruled out due to an offside in the build-up.

This was the first encounter between the rivals this season after their September contest was called off due to train strikes and the home faithful were in full voice from the outset, hoping their side could pick up their first win of 2023.

Despite the sense of occasion, the first 10 minutes were largely quiet on the pitch.

Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was the first to be tested as Alexis Mac Allister collected March’s through ball before sending a left-footed effort at the Spaniard, who spilled the initial save.

Guaita blocked another effort from the Argentina international before Palace enjoyed a first real spell in attack which did not last long as they were dispossessed by Kaoru Mitoma, whose subsequent speculative attempt from the corner of the six-yard box was blocked by Guaita.

Adam Webster had a chance to put his side ahead but nodded March’s cross wide before Brighton thought they had finally broken the deadlock when Pascal Gross flicked a pass to Estupinan, who curled into the top-right corner.

But VAR determined the visitors were offside in the build-up, much to the relief of the hosts, who had an opportunity when Olise fed Jean-Philippe Mateta in the area but he was denied by Webster’s perfectly-timed sliding challenge.

It was a quick reaction from Webster that prevented the Eagles from taking the lead after Mateta pounced on Moises Caicedo’s mistake.

Brighton enjoyed over 70 per cent possession in the first half but still had nothing to show for it when they emerged back out of the tunnel and March fired into the side-netting.

Guaita stooped to collect Deniz Undav’s rolling effort before Will Hughes was forced off and replaced by January signing Sambi Lokonga in the 56th minute.

The visitors finally broke the deadlock after 63 minutes when Estupinan floated in a cross from the left and a charging March was able to beat Tyrick Mitchell at the far post and send the ball…