Christian Benteke scored a late volley to clinch a 2-1 win for Crystal Palace and send Brighton & Hove Albion into further relegation worry in the Premier League on Monday.
January signing Jean Philippe Mateta produced a classy flick to open the scoring for Crystal Palace in the 28th minute, but Brighton leveled early in the second half from Joel Veltman.
The Seagulls pushed for a winner and arguably deserved one, before copping a cruel late sucker punch from Benteke who nailed his low volley in at the far post.
The result leaves Brighton precariously placed in 16th, only four points above 18th-placed Fulham who continued their strong recent run with a win over Sheffield United on the weekend.
The two sides are sandwiched by Newcastle, while West Bromwich and Sheffield United are further adrift in 19th and 20th.
Brighton manager Graham Potter said: “That’s the nature of the league, how punishing it is, we have done a lot but clearly not enough.
“Whoever it had come against it would be painful because we were dominant in the game.
“The boys were doing everything to score, it felt like it was always in their penalty box never mind their half.
“I don’t think we played badly, but results-wise we have to be disappointed and respond.”
Brighton face 19th-placed West Bromwich on the weekend in another critical relegation battle, while Fulham go to Crystal Palace.
