Arch rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace went into tonight's Championship playoff final second leg tied after a goalless first leg.
In tonight's match, it went another 70 minutes without a goal before Wilfried Zaha headed Palace in front. The Eagles went on to win the tie 2-0 thanks to another Zaha strike, booking their place in the playoff final against Watford.
Read how it all unfolded at the Amex on Monday in our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good evening all! After 11 playoff semi-finals in the Football League, it's time for number 12 and what a treat it is too - Brighton vs. Palace - and you won't miss a thing here on SM.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of this tie, the team news is just starting to filter through so I'll waste no time in getting it to you...
BRIGHTON XI: Kuszczak; Calderon, Greer, Upson, Bridge; Bridcutt, David, Hammond; Buckley, Ulloa, Orlandi
We're still waiting on the visitors' lineup so in the meantime let's have a little look at that Seagulls' outfit. Gus Poyet has named an unchanged XI to the side that earned a draw at Selhurst last week.
The main threat will come from Leonardo Ulloa. The Argentine arrived in January and has scored nine goals in 16 appearances.
PALACE XI: Speroni; Ward, Delaney, Gabbidon, Moxey; Dikgacoi, Garvan, Jedinak; Williams, Zaha, Wilbraham
Ian Holloway makes one change to his side, with Aaron Wilbraham in for the injured Glenn Murray.
The absence of Murray is a huge blow for Palace as he was the division's top scorer this term with over 30 goals for the Eagles. Wilbraham's inclusion is not pleasing many Palace from what I can see on Twitter. The word "uninspiring" is appearing a lot.
WEATHER WATCH! It's a pleasant evening for a game of football on the South Coast. A little cloudy with temperatures just under double figures.
SUBS: Here are the two benches:
Brighton: Brezovan, El-Abd, Crofts, Dicker, Painter, LuaLua, Barnes
Palace: Price, Richards, Bolasie, Phillips, O'Keefe, Ramage, Moritz
Brighton: Brezovan, El-Abd, Crofts, Dicker, Painter, LuaLua, Barnes
Palace: Price, Richards, Bolasie, Phillips, O'Keefe, Ramage, Moritz
Many of the Palace fans on Twitter who aren't happy with Holloway's selection would like to see Yannick Bolasie in the starting lineup. He usually plays on the opposite wing to Manchester United-bound Wilfried Zaha but tonight is in the dugout.
In the first leg Brighton dominated the opening 45 but couldn't break the deadlock before Palace came out fighting in the second and were unlucky not to grab a goal themselves.
The two regular-season fixtures between these two were both comfortable victories for the home team. In December Palace trounced the Seagulls 3-0 before Brighton got their revenge back at the Amex, winning by the same scoreline.
REFEREE WATCH! The man in charge tonight is Mark Clattenburg.
For those that didn't see yesterday's playoff madness here's a quick recap. The match between Watford and Leicester was heading to extra time but then Leicester were awarded a penalty in the 96th minute. Anthony Knockaert's spot kick was and rebound were saved by Manuel Almunia before Watford streaked up the other end and scored instantly through Troy Deeney. Click here to read the match report.
The circumstances were almost identical to those on the final day of League One when Brentford had a penalty to send themselves up but missed it before Doncaster raced down the other end and scored to send themselves up at Brentford's expense. What a year it's been in the Football League.
Here's a video of Sky Sports News reporter Jonny Phillips describing the action at Vicarage Road yesterday. Crazy scenes.
Watford manager Gianfranco Zola has just told Sky Sports: "To concede that soft penalty in the last minute hurt. I couldn't believe it when we attacked and I didn't know what I was doing. I needed to go to the hospital." If Brighton win tonight then it will be a battle of Chelsea legends in the final as Zola goes head-to-head with former teammate Poyet.
The playoff final is in two weeks' time on Bank Holiday Monday, May 27.
Brighton are heavy favourites with the bookies tonight while you can get Palace at about 7/2. I wouldn't bet against the Seagulls, they're on a 10-match unbeaten run and in much better form than their opposition.
Holloway has just told Sky Sports News that it is completely in the balance. Poyet feels that being at home "should" be an advantage to his side.
PREDICTION! Just before we get underway it's time for my prediction on the match. I can't look past Poyet's side and am expecting them to win 3-1 tonight.
Pre-match handshakes done. We're almost ready to go at a sold-out Amex. The home fans welcomed their side with some impressive blue-and-white crowd art and are now belting out "ALBION, ALBION!". Here we go...
KICKOFF! Clattenburg blows his whistle for the first time and Palace, in their changed strip of yellow and blue, get us underway.
Zaha, playing in his last Palace game if they lose, tries an early bit of trickery but it doesn't quite come off.
Clattenburg points for a goal kick after a penetrating run into the box from young Welshman Williams for Palace. Greer challenged the youngster and managed to get the ball to go out of play off the blonde-haired winger.
CHANCE! Surprisingly it's Palace who are having all of the ball in the early stages and they've just had a great chance to go ahead. Garvan let fly from distance, hitting it low across goal and Wilbraham tried to poke it in but got too much on it and sent it wide.
Down the other end and Ulloa has his first chance to bear down on goal but Speroni comes out to just about thwart the striker. Both men stay down after a bit of a collision but they're OK to continue and even share a chat over the cordial handshake. I suspect that's because they're both from Argentina.
Something to get the home fans going as Calderon nips inside Moxey on the byline but is then well tackled by the left-back making a recovery. There's the odd balloon rolling across the pitch like tumbleweed and Upson is doing his best to stud the ones out at his end of the pitch.
Interestingly, Zola has left his position in the Sky Sports studio to take up a better vantage point and watch his prospective opponents for the final. He's sat alongside another Chelsea legend in Roberto Di Matteo. Surely Zola, Poyet and Di Matteo will be having a glass of wine together later?
Brighton have overcome that sluggish start to the game and are now the team on top as they win a corner.
SAVE! Almost a shocker from young starlet Zaha as he tries to go past Buckley on the edge of the box but is dispossessed. Buckley has a chance to shoot and he looks to guide it into the far corner but Speroni is alert to beat it away. That's one decent chance apiece.
It doesn't get any better for Zaha as he goes down very easily when trying to zip past Calderon. Clattenburg isn't interested and waves away the appeals for a free kick.
The noise is building and building as Lopez tries to bend one into the far corner but sees it deflected up and over for a corner. Upson wins the header from the set piece but it bounces harmlessly wide.
Another brief stoppage in play as Brighton's left-back Bridge has his upper leg strapped up. The former Chelsea man is grimacing a lot but should be all right to continue.
Much better from Zaha this time as he does a pair of stepovers to beat his man and then win a corner as his cross is blocked. Williams's delivery comes to nothing though.
SHOT! An excellent hit from Hammond but his low shot flies just wide of Speroni's near post. We've almost had two hours of football in this semi-final and still no goals.
Calderon wants a penalty as Zaha challenges him from behind but there was nothing in that and the Spaniard went over far too easily.
SHOT! Decent hit from Garvan, who is usually all left foot, with his right but it's straight at Kuszczak who just about keeps ahold of the ball. I think that both sides need to start utilising the wings and getting some crosses in. There's hardly been any of that.
Fabulous cross-field pass from Bridcutt picks out Orlandi on the left-hand side of the area. He tries to cushion a volleyed cross into a dangerous area but Speroni is alert to come out and collect the ball. It's gone a little quieter inside the Amex as both sides continue to feel each other out. There is so much at stake I guess.
Another Palace corner from Williams and Wilbraham wants a penalty as he misses a near-post header and the ball hits Upson on the chest. The Stoke man's arm was out though and it would have been a spot kick had it actually hit it.
Garvan with some superb battling down the right touchline and he manages to prod it inside to Zaha but his average night continues as Greer takes the ball from him easily.
Personally, I'd like to see Bolasie come on for Wilbraham and see Zaha move up top and worry Greer and Upson with his electric pace.
Buckley swings over a deep free kick that is well defended by Jedinak. Williams almost gifts Brighton the ball back with a loose first touch but the ball squirms back to Speroni. This game is so hard to call at the moment. You would expect Brighton to start dominating but they're yet to do so. Holloway will be delighted with his side's display in the opening half an hour.
That's more like it! Finally some swift football as Bridge and Ulloa exchange passes before Orlandi is found on the left wing. His cross is just begging to be headed home but it's brilliant defending from Moxey to flick it away from danger.
Zaha this time wins a free kick and both he and Holloway are angry with the Brighton tackling. Clattenburg comes over and gives the youngster a bit of a lecture: "Just keep it schtum Wilf alright?" Or something like that.
Garvan tumbles in the corner but Clattenburg again makes the right decision in shaking his head because the Palace man actually clipped his own heels.
CLOSE! Zaha's more than happy going on to his left foot and he's just fizzed over a very dangerous cross that Hammond almost slid into this own net. Luckily Upson was there to hack it clear.
Wolf whistles around the Amex as a period of Palace pressure comes to an end with Garvan's awfully overhit cross. Looks like we'll know nothing more about this tie at half-time in the second leg.
Three minutes are added on at the end of the first half. Brighton looking to grab a goal before the break.
BOOKING! Calderon is booked for a heavy, heavy tackle on Zaha, who rolls around on the floor for a bit before picking himself up. That wasn't a nice one and rightly warranted a caution.
Buckley dinks a clever pass into the onrushing Calderon but Dikgacoi is right there to take it off his toes and clear the ball.
HALF-TIME: Brighton 0-0 Palace
A smattering of applause around the Amex as Clattenburg brings an apprehensive half of football to a close. I honestly am no wiser now than before the game about who will be going through to play Watford in the final.
Brighton were expected to come out all guns blazing in front of their own fans but Palace have stifled them well.
If you've only just joined us here on SM and don't want to wade through the updates from the opening 45, read Barney Corkhill's half-time summary by clicking here.
The stats from the first half heavily favour the hosts as they've had 57% of possession and six shots to Palace's two, but I wouldn't say that Poyet's side have dominated in particular.
Here's Telegraph journalist Paul Hayward on Twitter: "The 'A23 derby' - silly term - has yet to take off after 135 mins. Palace have hounded the ball well. Brighton can't find usual rhythm." Bang on.
BENCH WATCH! Looking at the two teams' benches, you'd expect Poyet to bring on Kazenga LuaLua and Ashley Barnes if he wants some more punch up front while Holloway's attacking options are limited. He can call upon veteran frontman Kevin Phillips though. He certainly knows where the goal is.
There's no away goals in the playoffs anyway, but, as it stands, we're headed to extra time and possibly penalties.
KICKOFF! Brighton get the second half underway. Can either side find the net before the 90-minute mark to prevent 30 more minutes?
WHAT A CHANCE! Oh Palace have to take chances like these when they come along. The Eagles just about clear a Lopez free kick and all of a sudden Zaha beats his man and frees Williams. The youngster has no-one near him and just Kuszczak to beat but he drills it inches wide of the post.
Brighton haven't started the second half particularly well and the home faithful are trying to gee up their boys with a song or two.
Concerned faces from the Brighton medical staff as Orlandi takes a boot to the face from Ward. In the dugout Holloway is as animated as ever while Poyet is mulling over tactics back in his seat. Who will crack first and make a substitution?
After a hefty delay play is back underway and Brighton have a free kick about 35 yards out just left of centre because of a Garvan handball. Shot or cross?
It's a cross from the Spaniard but not a good one as all the blue-and-white shirts run in a different direction to where the ball went.
Zaha is still an unhappy bunny because of the tackling he's being subjected to but he does possess bags of talent, winning the visitors another corner that results in...nothing.
It's now two-and-a-half hours of football without a goal in this tie. Surprisingly it's Palace who look more likely a tthe moment.
PENALTY SHOUT! Zaha rolls a ball into Williams who tries to roll Hammond but goes down. Clattenburg isn't interested and that's probably the right call but it could have been given.
PALACE SUBS: It's Holloway who changes things up first as he makes a pair of changes. Garvan comes off for Moritz and then Williams is replaced by Bolasie, who has even more tricks up his sleeve than Zaha!
It looks like Poyet is ready to respond as Barnes is soon to be introduced.
BOOKING! A clear yellow card for Dikgacoi as he hacks down Buckley who was looking to start a counter attack for the hosts.
BRIGHTON SUB: Barnes takes the place of Orlandi in attack.
OFF THE BAR AND OFF THE LINE! Oh my goodness! Nearly an amazing introduction from Barnes. He gets on the end of Ulloa's flick-on and tries to lift it over Speroni but the Argentine tips it onto the crossbar and over. From the resulting corner Barnes has a free header at the back post and it looks destined for the far corner but there's Moxey to head it off the line. It's heating up on the South Coast!
Fantastic cross from Palace left-back Moxey as he whips over a vicious cross that Upson has to head over his own crossbar.
From the resulting corner Palace almost scramble it home at the back post.
GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Palace (Zaha)
We have a goal, at last! Bolasie gets the ball on the left and turns Calderon inside and out before curling over a superb cross. Bridge is on his heels and Zaha nips in front of him to nod in a diving header and send the travelling Eagles into raptures. Twenty minutes for Brighton to find an equaliser.
BRIGHTON SUB: Poyet has to change things up and he brings on Kazenga LuaLua for right-back Calderon. It looks like Lopez will now slot in at right-back.
LuaLua has certainly livened up the Brighton attack and he's just won a free kick by inviting Ward into a challenge.
The Spaniard's delivery is poor though and groans reverberate around the Amex.
We've just seen replays of a Palace penalty shout moments before the goal and Hammond clearly tugged back Jedinak at the back post when he was trying to scramble in that corner.
BOOKING! Another stonewall yellow card as Buckley bundles over Moxey who had robbed him of the ball and was looking to start a Palace attack.
The Palace fans continue to belt out the chants as Brighton struggle to impose themselves on the match. The Seagulls' fans need to get right behind their team, it's only one goal remember.
Poyet's not sitting in his seat any more, he's using all of his technical area to bark instructions at his players. Here's an unpleasant stat for the home side from @OptaJoe on Twitter: "0 - Brighton were the only side in this season's Championship not to win a single game from a losing position. Challenge."
Fair play to Palace, they're hounding Brighton so well and have just had a chance on the counter. LuaLua was outnumbered on the left and then Moritz found in the area but his shot was blocked.
From the resulting corner Wilbraham peels off to the back post and has a free header but doesn't connect properly.
JUST WIDE! Zaha does brilliantly to keep the ball in play and cross it in for Bolasie who in turn feeds Wilbraham. The striker beats one man before firing a left-foot shot across goal about a yard wide. Surely the Brighton push will come soon?
GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Palace (Zaha)
WHAT A FINISH!
Palace are into the playoff final and it's a brilliant, brilliant goal from the Manchester United-bound Zaha. Dikgacoi rolls the ball into the winger who turns Greer thanks to a great first touch before rifling in a left-foot shot in off the underside of the crossbar. Game over and many of the Brighton fans have had enough.
PALACE SUB: Zaha's night is over as Holloway brings him off for O'Keefe. The winger wasn't moving brilliantly but hopefully the two-week break between now and the final should give him time to recover.
The fourth official indicates five minutes of added time. Brighton need to somehow find two goals. Surely not?
Palace want a third! First Bolasie sprints over half of the pitch and lashes wide before Moritz tries to curl one into the corner but is denied by Kuszczak.
Down the other end and it's Barnes who sees a header saved by Speroni. That had to go in for Brighton to have any chance.
Bolasie has a bit of fun by performing a stepover on Bridcutt and winning a free kick on the edge of the area. More time for Palace to run down the clock.
FULL-TIME: Brighton 0-2 Palace Palace go through 2-0 on aggregate. They'll play Watford in the playoff final for a place in the Premier League.
Holloway gives Zaha a big thank you hug and doesn't he deserve it. Few people would have seen this result coming.
And here comes the injured Glenn Murray on his crutches, hobbling towards the visiting fans. You have to say that the Eagles have done brilliantly to get past rivals Brighton without their hotshot forward in the second leg.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for updates this evening. I'll leave you with Barney's match report. Make sure you come back for the final in two weeks' time. Until next time!
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
Pascal Lemesre
