One of the Premier League’s most confusing rivalries, at least for the majority of neutrals, returns this weekend as Crystal Palace travel down to the South Coast to face Brighton and Hove Albion for the first time this season, and the first time under the lead of Pierre Sage. 

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler may have the Seagulls flying high in the Premier League so far this season, but he’s never registered a win against Palace before, so both managers will be looking to record their first victories in this fixture. 

Ahead of the game, we thought we’d look back at some of the most memorable meetings between the two sides since both have been in the Premier League, and maybe one before that. 

The game which cemented the hatred for Brighton for many Palace fans in their early twenties now, that second leg against Brighton epitomised the modern version of the rivalry. 

With Ian Holloway in charge, Palace were looking to make an unlikely return to the Premier League after sneaking into the playoffs, which had looked uncertain when Dougie Freedman had left his post to join Bolton Wanderers. 

A semi-final against Gus Poyet’s Brighton side was set up, and the first leg ended level, a 0-0 draw, but Palace lost Glenn Murray to injury. Craig Mackaill-Smith had broken through on goal but smashed a strike into the post, which meant the sides would return to the AMEX with it all to play for. 

In that game, Wilf Zaha started a period of dominance over Brighton, bagging himself a brace to send Palace to Wembley and condemn Brighton to a further four years in the second tier. 

The famous commentary of that moment, the incredible limbs in Brighton’s away end, which has provided a fantastic backdrop for many a late winner in the past. It was an unbelievable night for Palace, and one which kept the rivalry brewing as Palace waited for Brighton in the top flight. 

A chaotic start to the game at Selhurst Park saw Palace lead by two goals within just 14 minutes, Roy Hodgson and Chris Hughton still at the helm for each side. 

It was the first time the rivalry had been played at Palace in almost four years, and Zaha was back to haunt the Seagulls, in a fixture which he still ranks top for most goals scored in. 

Brighton had pulled one back through Murray, before Zaha scored his second and Palace’s third to all but secure the win, the Eagles holding on despite Jackson Izquierdo making it 3-2 just before halftime.

A tightly contested second half meant that Palace ran out winners once again. 

Potentially the darkest day for Palace fans visiting the AMEX, this game in Brighton’s second season back in the top flight was a really painful one for Palace fans, but a joyous one for Albion. 

The hosts took the lead through a Glenn Murray penalty just 24 minutes in, minutes before Shane Duffy was sent off for ‘headbutting’ Patrick van Aanholt. Palace fans thought this was their opening, but from the resulting corner, Albion made it 2-0, Leon Balogun smashing in a strike from just inside of the box. 

Just before halftime, Florin Andone broke down the left hand side and drove towards the box, slotting a strike below Wayne Hennesey to make it 3-0 to Albion at halftime. Luka Milivojević scored a late penalty for Palace, which acted as little consolation on a truly humiliating day.

If the previous shout doesn’t get your skin crawling as a Palace fan, this one certainly will. A game which will always be remembered as one of the final nails in the proverbial coffin for Roy Hodgson as Palace manager, as well as the Michael Olise substitution when he clearly wasn’t fit, with Palace already 3-0 down. 

Brighton had scored a flurry of goals inside the first half, Joao Pedro adding to those in the second and performing his famed beheading celebration. That game felt like it had reignited the spice in the rivalry after a series of 0-0 draws and closely contested meetings. 

The hatred was re-discovered and the characters on show carried it, as they always have in this rivalry. 

Whilst they’ve had their moments in the sun, as have Palace, and this game was a particularly satisfying one. Oliver Glasner beat Fabian Hurzeler in three of the four meetings between the two coaches. 

Palace scored twice in six first half minutes to put themselves ahead, before adding a third late on. Brighton got one back, but the travelling support barely noticed as they jeered at the home fans, at least those that remained in their seats. 

The next game in the same season was perhaps even more memorable for the Eagles though… 

Another remarkable edition of the rivalry, in this one Mateta had put Palace 1-0 up within just three minutes, blitzing a strike beyond a helpless Bart Verbruggen. Brighton equalised through Danny Welbeck, before Palace reclaimed the lead via a Daniel Muñoz strike early in the first half. 

From that point things started to go crazy. Eddie Nketiah was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the space of ten minutes, meaning Palace had just shy of 15 minutes to hold on with a man deficit. Marc Guéhi was then sent off too, again shown a second yellow, meaning Palace had to face twelve minutes of added time with a one goal lead and just nine men to defend it. 

Joel Ward entered the game and put in a top shift at centre back, before Van Hecke was sent off for yet another second yellow, offering Palace reprieve and ultimately giving them the chance to hold on and win. 

Sunday will provide both sides with an opportunity to further etch their names into the history of the rivalry, and claim this chapter. Hurzeler and Sage will both be seeking their first wins, and the likes of Lewis Dunk will be key to carrying the torch for the rivalry to continue with the same grit and passion it has done for many years now.