An uncharacteristic Robert Sanchez mistake gifted Crystal Palace a point against fierce rivals Brighton.
The Seagulls were dominant for large periods of the clash at Selhurst Park and saw Pervis Estupinan's first-half strike ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR delay. Roberto De Zerbi's side played their free-flowing, attacking football that has become their trademark and they were duly rewarded in the second-half when Solly March poked home at the back post.
The visitors looked the more likely to grab the game's second goal but then, against the run of play, Palace pulled themselves back into the game - and they had Sanchez to thank. Michael Olise's free-kick looked a comfortable catch for the stopper but he somehow fumbled it, allowing James Tomkins to bundle his header home. Here are the main talking points from a lively Selhurst Park clash...
Sanchez's moment to forget
Brighton controlled this game for large periods and deservedly took the lead through March. The ball was delivered to the back post and the Seagulls winger was in the right place at the right time to poke home the opener.
It looked as if the visitors would grab a second too, but then the usually-reliable Sanchez delivered a lifeline for the Eagles. It looked a comfortable catch, one that he would routinely perform in training every day, but he got it all wrong and Tomkins was there to bundle the ball home.
It will no doubt be a bitter blow for Brighton as they bid to secure European football for next season. If they are to achieve that dream, they'll need to cut out individual mistakes...
VAR leaves Seagulls fans red-faced
Just a couple of hours after VAR was involved in controversy at the London Stadium, where Chelsea were bizarrely denied a late penalty in their 1-1 draw with West Ham, and the controversial technology cruelly denied Brighton a first-half opener. Estupinan thought he had scored a wonderful curled finish but he was offside by the smallest of margins.
Brighton fans were none the wiser either, with the visiting fans jubilantly celebrating the goal they thought their performance deserved. It took a long period of stoppage to decide to rule the goal out, but it was the right decision.
And Palace fans made their feeling clear, chanting "VAR, VAR, VAR" as play resumed in Palace's box. That seemingly was the wake-up call Palace needed in the first-half.
Mac Allister in the mix
It's fair to say Alexis Mac Allister had a lively afternoon. The World Cup winner returned to the Brighton line-up in south London and was involved in everything positive - and ugly - from a Brighton perspective.
After getting a hefty whack from Cheick Doucoure in the opening exchanges, the Argentine was immediately involved in another 50-50 incident with the Eagles midfielder - and was perhaps fortunate to escape with a yellow card. Replays showed he was late - and high - on his opponent, but VAR did not argue with Michael Olivier's yellow card.
Brighton almost benefited from that decision a matter of minutes later, with Mac Allister put through on goal but his tame effort was saved by Vicente Guaita. The playmaker played in his familiar No.10 role and his movement caused a constant headache for the Eagles defence.
Eagles' striker woes
If Palace are to kick on under Patrick Vieira, you feel they need to dip into the summer transfer market and bring in a top-level striker. The Frenchman usually rotates his attack and opted to throw Jean-Philippe Mateta in at the start, but the striker was largely underwhelming.
He was sloppy in possession and struggled to pose a threat in the final third for most of the first half, before finally stamping his authority in this clash. He was unfortunate not to open the scoring after latching onto a defensive mistake, but Adam Webster's stunning last-ditch block thwarted his effort.
Mateta poses a threat on occasions, while Odsonne Edouard offers a different option, but Palace lack a striker capable of scoring on a regular basis. The Eagles are going to need goals if they want to avoid getting dragged into the relegation scrap this season.
Caicedo's controlled performance
It's easy to understand why Moises Caicedo was a man in demand last month. The Ecuador star has been a rock in the middle of the park for the Seagulls this season; and Saturday was no different.
He's a cool character, doing the dirty work and breaking up attacks that ultimately allow Brighton's attacking players to flourish. Mac Allister and Co are given plenty of license to roam because they know they have Caicedo as a safety net should they lose possession.
What was also impressive about his performance on Saturday was the speed at which he creates attacks. No sooner does he thwart an attack, he then immediately releases the ball. March and Kaoru Mitoma benefited from his passing prowess plenty of times. It will be interesting to see what happens in the summer, with Arsenal expected to renew their transfer bid.
Zaha's absence
When you think of past derbies between these two rivals, Wilfried Zaha is a player who usually delivers. So, it would been a huge blow for Palace fans that the superstar failed to recover from his hamstring injury in time for this clash.
In another blow, he may well played his last derby between these two sides. The Ivorian maestro is out of contract at the end of the season and is widely expected to leave for pastures new.
He'd understandably have been gutted to have missed this clash at Selhurst Park; and the hosts missed his attacking threat. While Palace looked dangerous on the counter-attack, they lacked any cutting edge and could have done with their star man on the pitch.
