Crystal Palace beat 10-man Brighton & Hove Albion to go top

Crystal Palace have returned to the top of the Championship table courtesy of a comfortable victory over 10-man Brighton & Hove Albion.

Eagles topscorer Glenn Murray netted a brace and Owen Garvan converted a penalty kick after Lewis Dunk had been shown an early red card.

Dunk was given his marching orders on eight minutes for hauling down Wilfred Zaha, who was in on goal.

Peter Ramage took the resultant free kick and smashed his effort against the crossbar.

The hosts broke the deadlock on 38 minutes when Yannick Bolasie's whipped cross found Murray, who headed home from six yards.

Murray doubled his tally from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half, after he had been felled by goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

The Eagles were awarded another penalty on 70 minutes when Murray was brought down by Gordon Greer.

Murray allowed Garvan to take the kick, which was perfectly placed into the bottom-right corner.

Palace are now unbeaten at home in their last nine Championship matches.