It's derby day for Brighton and Hove Albion today, as the Seagulls host the Eagles in what looks to be an enthralling encounter, and a big opportunity for Brighton to continue their current winning streak and excellent form.

However with just a couple of hours before kickoff, let's revisit some wonderful memories over the years against our biggest rivals, and hope for more to be made today.

Honourable Mention: Maupay's 95th minute equaliser

September 2021. After a bright start to the season under Graham Potter, Brighton visited Selhurst Park, but the course of events did not go to plan.

On the stroke of half-time, Leandro Trossard fouled Conor Gallagher inside the box, resulting in a penalty, which Wilfried Zaha converted to put his side 1-0 up at the break.

The South London side looked to have won the spoils of the derby, gaining all 3 points and stopping Brighton's form from continuing further. Their fans were celebrating, even the players had grins on their faces, as they too knew what the moment meant.

Joel Veltman slipped the ball through the Palace defence and Neal Maupay latched onto the end of it, and found himself with only Vincente Guaita in the goal to beat. He kept his composure and lifted the ball over the goalkeeper, and the Brighton away fans erupted with jubilation. 

Yes, it may not have been a win, which is why this doesn't make the top three, however denying your biggest rivals from winning as well, especially after their premature celebrations?

It doesn't get much sweeter than that.

3. Brighton 3-0 Crystal Palace, 2013

This game wasn't just a typical Brighton win of the time. It meant so much more.

Before this match, Brighton had not won at home against the side from Croydon for 25 years, and it looked to continue with the Sussex side coming into the game with bad form, a limited squad and sitting outside the playoff positions, whereas Palace were sitting fourth and looking good for promotion, especially with teams around them dropping points.

Leonardo Ulloa released fans of all worries though, after a delightful cross from Will Buckley met his head and found the back of the net.

And just two minutes later, after Buckley was fouled just outside the box, up stepped David Lopez, who curled in the free-kick, over the wall and off the crossbar, and in for 2-0. The stadium around him erupted, as Brighton had taken control of the game before half-time.

The Eagles needed a response in the second half, but it was Brighton who scored again. Just five minutes after coming out again, Leonardo Ulloa struck again, connecting with a volley to rifle the ball into the back of the net, and scoring Brighton's third goal of the game.

It was 3-0. Game over. The first home victory for the Albion over Palace since 1988. Brighton manager at the time, Gus Poyet, even called it the best result of his managerial career.

Sadly, the season had other twists for both clubs, as both clubs met in the play-off semi-finals, where Palace came out victorious and then managed to get promoted as well. However this victory remains as one of the defining matches of Gus Poyet's time at Brighton, and also a defining game in the history of this rivalry.

2. Brighton 4-1 Crystal Palace, 2024

February 2024. Brighton took Crystal Palace apart piece by piece, demolishing them with goals from Lewis Dunk, Jack Hinshelwood, Facundo Buonanotte and Joao Pedro. This game showed a true quality gap between Brighton and Palace, and how far that Brighton team had progressed.

Under Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian's free flowing football had captured the hearts of the Brighton fanbase, and also the hearts of many neutrals, which helped the club to a sixth placed finish and European football for the first time in the club's history.

However, with an overload of games, the 23/24 season was a struggle, and Brighton were on a fine line of balancing league games and Europe League football. Going into the Palace match, Brighton had won just three of the past 16 league games, and had not scored in their first three games of 2024 either. The result the week before playing Palace was a 4-0 embarrassment, at the hands of relegation battling Luton Town.

But Brighton did not waste any time in this match, leaving their sorry-selves behind and putting on a brilliant display for the Brighton fans to cheer again.

Captain Lewis Dunk rose highest to meet a Pascal Gross corner, and headed in to make it 1-0 to the Seagulls, and half an hour later, Jack Hinshelwood made it two, also with a header from Tariq Lamptey's cross this time. The 18 year old was having a breakout season, and with the club running through his family, it was an incredibly special moment for the Seagulls, and for him.

A minute later, Facundo Buonanotte made it three, with the Argentine finishing from close range after Pascal Gross dispossessed Adam Wharton, and the pressing and fluid football had taken Brighton to a 3-0 lead at half-time.

In the 71st minute, Mateta gave the travelling fans hope, heading in a cross from close range to make the scoreline closer, but Joao Pedro sealed the game off in the 84th minute, with some excellent play resulting in Albion's fourth, and a destruction of their biggest rivals.

An unforgettable afternoon, which highlighted just how far Brighton had progressed throughout the years.

1. Crystal Palace 1-2 Brighton - Anthony Knockaert's masterclass

Going into this match, both sides were sitting on 33 points, with Brighton just below on goal difference. This was the Seagulls' second season in the Premier League, having survived the drop the previous season. Both clubs were looking over their shoulders at the relegation battle, and did not want to get themselves involved in that.

In the reverse fixture, Brighton had won at the Amex 3-1, and winning this would mean completing the league double over Palace for the first time since 1983-84, which gave Brighton an added bonus. 

Things almost turned sour instantly, as Knockaert dived into a rough challenge on Luka Milivojevic after just 28 seconds, and was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card. 

However Glenn Murray turned up when he needed to, initially not meant to start but due to an injury to Florin Andone, he was brought in, which turned out to be a stroke of luck, scoring against his former club as he volley across the goal, and scored the first goal of the game.

The hosts battled back hard and won a penalty after Davy Propper was judged to have fouled Andros Townsend in the box, where Milivojevic gave Mat Ryan the eyes and sent the Brighton keeper the wrong way, equalising the game for Palace.

From there, Palace had chances to get another goal and take the lead, while Brighton's own opportunities were few and far between. Dale Stephens carried the ball and released Knockaert into space on the right hand side. He cut inside and drove towards the penalty area, and had an opportunity to shoot on his left foot. And he did.

The ball travelled 25 yards from his left boot to the top corner of Guaita's goal, scoring possibly the greatest goal in the rivalry between the two sides.

A game winner in front of the Palace crowd, putting Brighton 2-1 up away from home, and going on to win the game as well.

Albion were ecstatic. This victory meant everything to the travelling supporters, and the ones who watched at home. This has to be the best moment in Brighton's memories of the rivalry, and what an occasion it was.

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