Nine-man Crystal Palace clung on to a 2-1 lead through 12 minutes of second-half added time at Selhurst Park to secure their first league double over arch rivals Brighton in 92 years.
Jean-Philippe Mateta fired the hosts in front three minutes in, but Danny Welbeck drew the sides level before the break, surpassing Pascal Gross as Brighton’s top Premier League goal-scorer in the process.
Daniel Muñoz put Palace back in front 10 minutes after the restart before both Eddie Nketiah and Marc Guéhi were sent off with second yellow cards. It was briefly nine versus 10 when Jan Paul van Hecke was also sent off with a second booking in the sixth minute of second-half added time.
It was an excellent performance from Palace keeper Dean Henderson, competing for England’s number-one spot under Thomas Tuchel, who was in attendance.
All five of the previous occasions these sides had met in the Premier League at Selhurst Park ended in 1-1 draws.
Mateta fired Palace in front with a brilliant finish from Eberechi Eze’s spot-on pass between the lines. Frenchman collected the ball at the edge of the penalty area, shifted from his right foot to his left and smashed it into the top corner.
It was Palace’s fastest Premier League goal of the season, and a first for Mateta – still sporting a protective device since suffering a severe ear laceration in their FA Cup victory over Millwall on March 1.
Henderson then gave Tuchel more to consider with a double save, first parrying away Carlos Baleba’s effort, then reacting quickly with an outstretched foot to ensure Welbeck could not get the rebound past him.
Welbeck would not be denied a second time, however, running inside Muñoz to meet a fine cross from Yankuba Minteh on the slide and poking home from six yards out.
Muñoz ensured there would not be a sixth straight 1-1 stalemate 10 minutes after the restart.
Eze was again the provider, this time for the Colombia international, who was credited with the goal though it appeared to take a deflection off Pervis Estupinan before going in.
The once-lively pace had slowed by the time 68th-minute Palace substitute Nketiah, who replaced Mateta, shouted for a penalty following a challenge, but was instead booked for simulation.
It was a decision that would soon prove costly as the former Arsenal striker was sent off 10 minutes after his introduction with a second yellow card, this time for a high boot on Van Hecke.
Palace’s job got even harder when Guehi was then issued a second yellow of his own on the stroke of normal time, going in for a tackle but catching Brajan Gruda studs-up.
A groan echoed through the ground when 12 minutes were added on, but Palace’s task got a bit easier when Van Hecke was then shown the door.
Henderson was again the hero with a brilliant save to deny Yasin Ayari a late equaliser with seconds remaining as Palace held on. PA
Wolves recover to inflict damaging defeat on Ipswich
Ipswich’s hopes of retaining their Premier League status took a huge knock as they lost 2-1 at home to Wolves.
The visitors came from behind to extend the gap between the two clubs to 12 points with just seven games remaining.
Ipswich took the lead through Liam Delap after 16 minutes but Pablo Sarabia equalised in the 72nd minute and Jorgen Strand Larsen completed the turnaround with six minutes remaining.
It could have been worse for Ipswich following a dreadful first half error by goalkeeper Alex Palmer, who almost gifted a goal to Wolves but recovered after a backpass went under his foot.
Wolves’ Brazilian international João Gomes came close to opening the scoring with a rasping shot which went just over the Ipswich bar, following a one-two with Rayan Aït-Nouri.
Palmer got down to deflect an angled shot from Strand Larsen for a corner after 10 minutes, before the Suffolk side took the lead six minutes later.
Axel Tuanzebe drifted a pass out to Dara O’Shea, who beat Aït-Nouri in the air and headed the ball into the danger area for Delap to poke home from close range for his 12th goal of the season. There was a delay before the goal was allowed, after VAR checked for a possible offside.
Moments later Aït-Nouri’s corner from the right evaded everyone and was going in until O’Shea made a superb clearance on the line under pressure from Toti.
An error by Palmer in the 36th minute resulted in the ball going under his foot following a backpass from O’Shea but the goalkeeper recovered and managed to claw the ball away at the last moment.
Referee Peter Bankes awarded a free-kick on the six-yard line with all 11 Ipswich players on the goal line but Emmanuel Agbadou’s shot struck the wall and was cleared to safety.
There were appeals for a penalty when the ball appeared to strike the arm of Andre and the visitors equalised with 18 minutes remaining through Sarabia.
Strand-Larsen controlled the ball in the penalty area and clipped it back to the edge of box. Sarabia’s first attempt was blocked by Jens Cajuste but his follow-up found the bottom corner.
And the visitors deservedly took the lead through Strand Larsen, despite a lengthy VAR check.
Sarabia cushioned a first-time cross through substitute Leif Davis’ legs and the Wolves and Norwegian striker bundled the ball in from close-range.
The 2,955 Wolves fans among the 29,549 crowd inside the stadium chanted “we are staying up” at the final whistle. PA
Evanilson’s double earns a point at West Ham
Evanilson scored twice to deny Graham Potter his fourth win as West Ham boss as Bournemouth grabbed a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium.
Niclas Füllkrug and Jarrod Bowen looked to have answered their manager’s pre-match rallying cry to not let the season fizzle out with second-half goals after Evanilson had struck before the break.
But Bournemouth’s in-form Brazilian took his tally to six goals in his last six matches as Andoni Iraola’s side headed back to the south coast with a point.
Potter had this week told his players in no uncertain terms that they are playing for their futures.
But there was a smattering of boos as the Hammers, with only three wins since Potter took over in January, trudged off at half-time without managing a single shot on target.
It was especially frustrating as Bournemouth were the team who seem to have run out of steam in recent weeks, having lost four and drawn one of their last five matches.
But they almost got off to a flyer in east London – there was just one minute on the clock when Dango Ouattara swung in a dangerous cross and Evanilson out-jumped Maximilian Kilman, only to glance his header inches wide.
They were gifted the lead by Alphonse Areola as half-time approached, the French goalkeeper fumbling a shot from Antoine Semenyo straight to the feet of Evanilson, who tucked away the rebound.
Bournemouth almost had a second moments later when Illia Zabarnyi headed Lewis Cook’s corner against the crossbar.
West Ham’s first half was summed up when Mohammed Kudus finally escaped the clutches of Milos Kerkez down the right, reached the byline and promptly tripped over his own feet.
The Hammers had looked utterly toothless until Fullkrug was sent on early in the second half.
The mood around the former Olympic Stadium changed the moment the German, who has spent the majority of his time since joining for £27 million last summer on the treatment table, bulldozed into the area to meet James Ward-Prowse’s corner with a bullet header.
Kudus then gave James Hill the slip down the left and crossed for Bowen, who planted a fine header past Kepa from 12 yards out to put the hosts ahead with his first home goal since the turn of the year.
But Bournemouth secured a point with 11 minutes remaining when Hill’s high ball into the box was headed across goal by Dean Huijsen and converted by Evanilson at the far post. PA
That’s all folks!
Link copied to clipboard
Thanks for staying with us for the 3pm matches.
The action now continues here, where you can follow Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest.
Elation for Wolves
Link copied to clipboard
A suspension for Matheus Cunha in the 121st minute of their FA Cup defeat by Bournemouth on 1 March did not come at an opportune time for Wolves. Their priority this season was to keep the three teams beneath them at bay, and Cunha’s recklessness threatened to derail that aim.
Fortunately, Jorgen Strand Larsen has come to the rescue. The Norway international has scored four goals to help his side string three successive wins together and all but secure their top-flight status.
Writing on the wall for Ipswich
Link copied to clipboard
Today was a good day for Wolves and Palace, a bad one for Brighton and a hideous one for Ipswich.
All the more galling for Kieran McKenna’s side as they were leading at half-time and then got punished for trying to protect their lead.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth’s winless run stretches to six matches and their Champions League dream, though distant, is surely over now, lying as they do six points shy of fifth place.
FT: Palace 2 Brighton 1
Link copied to clipboard
And that’s it! Palace have held on with to claim the three points and almost certainly kill off any lingering chances Brighton may have had of qualifying for the Champions League.
Brighton are eighth with 47 points, four points behind fifth-placed Man City, but six of the seven teams above them have yet to play.
Palace move up a place to 11th, four points behind Fabian Hürzeler’s side.
90+10 mins - 3 men: Palace 2 Brighton 1
Link copied to clipboard
They are into the 10th minute of added time at Selhurst Park, where nine-man Palace are holding on for dear life against 10-man Brighton in a dramatic, ill-tempered A23 derby.
FT: Ipswich 1 Wolves 2
Link copied to clipboard
It’s all over at Portman Road - in more ways than one.
Defeat for Ipswich has them staring into the abyss, while Wolves, 12 points clear of the Tractor Boys now, are almost certainly safe for another season.
FT: West Ham 2 Bournemouth 2
Link copied to clipboard
It finishes all square at the London Stadium where both sides ended their losing streaks but neither could muster a win.
At least there were four goals to enjoy. Two superb headers from the Hammers and two poacher’s goals from Evanilson.
Red card #3: Van Hecke (Palace 2 Brighton 1)
Link copied to clipboard
What is going on at Selhurst Park?!
The victim of Nketiah’s high challenge, Jan Paul van Hecke has also now seen red, in the sixth minute of added time.
It’s 10 vs 9.
What next? Jumpers for goalposts?
Red card #2: Guehi (Palace 2 Brighton 1)
Link copied to clipboard
Palace have been reduced to nine men with Marc Guehi joining Eddie Nketiah in the changing room.
The Eagles captain followed Nketiah’s lead by getting a second booking for a high foot on an opponent, in this instance Brajan Gruda was the unsuspecting victim.
Something’s catching at Selhurst.
Wolves goal stands
Link copied to clipboard
Strand Larsen’s fourth goal in three matches has surely condemned Ipswich to relegation.
The very long VAR check confirmed that Strand Larsen was onside and if things remain as they are Wolves, in 17th, will be 12 points clear of Ipswich with seven matches to go.
GOAAL!!! (Strand Larsen - Ipswich 1 Wolves 2)
Link copied to clipboard
Strand Larsen has scored in what is a hammer blow for Ipswich’s Premier League prospects.
But hold on... there is a VAR check. They are looking for offside.
GOAAL!!! (Evanilson - West Ham 2 Bournemouth 1)
Link copied to clipboard
It’s raining goals at the London Stadium.
Evanilson has struck his second goal of the match to bring the Cherries level.
The Brazilian was loitering with intent at the far post as Dean Huijsen knocked the ball into the area.
The Hammers left him unmarked as they did for his first goal and the Brazilian has snaffled another tap-in.
Red card: Nketiah (Palace 2 Brighton 1)
Link copied to clipboard
Eddie Nketiah has been dismissed for a a second yellow card in quick succession.
The former Arsenal man went in on Jan Paul van Hecke with a high boot as his opponents tried to head the ball.
GOAAL!!! (Sarabia - Ipswich 1 Wolves 1)
Link copied to clipboard
Ipswich have been sinking deeper and deeper to protect their lead but have been punished for sitting back.
Not the cleanest of strikes there from Pablo Sarabia but they all count and that could be massive for Wolves – and Ipswich, sadly for them.
GOAAL!!! (Bowen - West Ham 2 Bournemouth 1)
Link copied to clipboard
West Ham take the lead with another header.
This time it’s Hammers talisman Jarrod Bowen who finds the net.
GOAAL!!! (Füllkrug - West Ham 1 Bournemouth 1)
Link copied to clipboard
Niclas Füllkrug rises to plant a towering header past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The German, who has endured an injury-plagued season, has only been on the pitch for five minutes but he has made his mark in some style - that was a classic old school bullet header.
GOAAL!!! (Munoz - Palace 2 Brighton 1)
Link copied to clipboard
From absolutely nowhere Palace have re-taken the lead.
Daniel Munoz is enjoying an exceptional season and he pops up with his fourth goal of the season.
Eze gets his second assist of the match as he squares the ball to the Colombian full-back-cum-winger whose strike takes a wicked deflection past Bart Verbruggen.
That makes Munoz the second-highest scoring defender in the Premier League.
Wolves hit the post
Link copied to clipboard
The visitors have started strongly as Joao Gomes tries his luck from range. He almost finds an equaliser but his effort pings back off the post.
Second halves under way
Link copied to clipboard
The matches are all back under way but no goals yet.
Half-time!
Link copied to clipboard
Peeep!!
It’s half-time in the three 3pm kick-offs.
Here are the scores:
Crystal Palace 1 (Mateta) Brighton 1 (Welbeck)
Ipswich 1 (Delap) Wolves 0
West Ham 0 Bournemouth 1 (Evanilson)
Zabarnyi hits the bar! (West Ham 0 Bournemouth 1)
Link copied to clipboard
Ooooh!
Unlucky there from Illya Zabarnyi. Lewis Cook delivers a lovely corner, but the Ukrainian’s header smashes against the crossbar which is still rattling.
GOAAL!!! (West Ham 0 Bournemouth 1)
Link copied to clipboard
Evanilson reacts first to the rebound to give the visitors the lead.
Antoine Semenyo, as is his wont, has a shot from a tight angle that forces Alphonse Areola into a save at his near post. But the Brazilian is there to score his eighth goal of the season from close range.
Six-yard box fun (Ipswich 1 Wolves 0)
Link copied to clipboard
Dara O’Shea almost scores an own goal with a terrible backpass which Alex Palmer has no option but to get his hand to, in order to prevent an own goal.
A free-kick is given in the six-yard box, which Rayan Ait-Nouri takes. He blasts it goalwards but Morsi puts his body on the line to preserve his side’s lead.
GOAAL!!! (Welbeck - Palace 1 Brighton 1)
Link copied to clipboard
A brilliant finish by Danny Welbeck who marks his first start in seven with his eighth goal of the campaign.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal man showed all his class to guide Yankuba Minteh’s cross across goal.
Welbeck is now Brighton’s all-time top Premier League goalscorer with 31 goals.
West Ham knocking at the door (West Ham 0 Bournemouth 0)
Link copied to clipboard
Graham Potter’s side are sending crosses into the box woth Ollie Scarles looking a threat at the far post.
No goals yet but the Hammers are looking the likelier just now.
Delap goal stands
Link copied to clipboard
But after some drawing of lines and gnashing of teeth, the goal is allowed to stand.
Remember when you were allowed to celebrate a goal?
Three minutes that took!
VAR check for Delap goal
Link copied to clipboard
There’s a long, protracted (yawn!) VAR check against Liam Delap, who may be offside...
GOAAL!!! (Delap - Ipswich 1 Wolves 0)
Link copied to clipboard
Well, well well!
Against the run of play Delap strikes again to give Ipswich hope of a great escape.
Dara O’Shea gets on the end of a long punt upfield and heads it into the area, where Delap pounces to score his 12th goal of the season past Jose Sa.
Save from Henderson (Palace 1 Brighton 0)
Link copied to clipboard
Dean Henderson preserves his side’s lead with a fine save from Carlos Baleb’s long shot. Danny Welbeck pounces on the rebound but Henderson’s legs come to the rescue.
Good saves by Palmer (Ipswich 0 Wolves 0)
Link copied to clipboard
Wolves should have taken the lead there.
Jorgen Strand Larsen has scored three goals in two matches and almost grabbed his fourth but his low shot deflects wide off Alex Palamer’s legs.
From the resulting corner, Toti Gomes powers a header goalwards, but Palmer tips the ball over.
Bellegarde goes close (Ipswich 0 Wolves 0)
Link copied to clipboard
Ooooh!
Ipswich have started well but the first real chance of the match goes to the visitors. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde swivels on the edge of the and fires a fraction over the bar. That was close
GOAAL!!! (Mateta - Palace 1 Brighton 0)
Link copied to clipboard
What a goal by Jean-Philippe Mateta!
The Frenchman has scored an absolute beauty for Palace.
The striker received a pass from Ebereche Eze, after good work from Tyriek Mitchell, and fired a diagonal strike across Bart Verbruggen to give the Eagles an early lead. That’s nine goals in his last 10 for Mateta.
And we’re off!
Link copied to clipboard
The three matches are under way and we’ll bring you all the latest as it happens.
Who will win ‘derby’ bragging rights?
Link copied to clipboard
There is always a bit of spice in the ‘A23 derby’ but there is more than just historical antipathy riding on this match. Brighton can move to within two points of fourth place with a win against the Eagles, who are seven points further back despite their recent good form, which hit a bump in the road where they could only salvage a late point against lowly Southampton.
Can Bournemouth bounce back?
Link copied to clipboard
The Cherries had been flying up the table in January and February, their 5-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest seemingly a harbinger of European prospects. Since beating Southampton on February 15 however their form has dropped off a cliff. The Cherries have gone five matches without a win and they have succumbed to four defeats in that run. The loss of Justin Kluivert has not helped their cause.
West Ham have not exactly been pulling up any trees themselves. They have mustered only two wins in nine matches but fortunately are 14 points clear of the relegation zone. They have nothing to lose though so perhaps Graham Potter can encourage the likes of Mohammed Koudous, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen to take the handbrake off and play with a bit of freedom.
Relegation six-pointer
Link copied to clipboard
Ipswich vs Wolves is the ultimate relegation six-pointer. Wolves lie 17th, nine points ahead of Kieran McKenna’s side, so a win would all but secure another season in the Premier League with seven matches remaining.
A win for the hosts though would give them hope, as the Tractor Boys would close to within six points of their opponents.
Confidence will be up after beating Bournemouth in midweek, thanks to Nathan Broadhead’s opener and Liam Delap’s 11th goal of the season.
Wolves also won, though, with a narrow 1-0 victory over West Ham and, with the onus on the hosts to won, you imagine they will sit back and look to hit Ipswich on the break.
All-square at Goodison
Link copied to clipboard
And the final whistle has blown on Merseyside where Arsenal and Everton battled out a scrappy 1-1 draw.
Leandro Trossard’s opener was cancelled out by an Iliman Ndiaye penalty.
It’s no real surprise that the Arsenal struggled considering their defenders have been going down like flies.
They also have an abysmal record on Merseyside, where they have mustered only three wins in 27 attempts in all competitions.
Their minds will now squarely be on getting as many players as possible fit for Tuesday’s visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Their season rests in Europe now.
Fancy a flutter?
Link copied to clipboard
If you fancy a bet on today’s football you could do worse than follow our weekend bets of the day.
And we you can find the best free bets and betting sign-up offers here.
West Ham vs Bournemouth teams
Link copied to clipboard
West Ham have made four changes to the line-up that lost 1-0 at Wolves on Tuesday.
Mohammed Kudus, Tomas Soucek, Edson Alvarez and Jean-Clair Todibo return as Kostas Mavropanos, Luis Guilherme and Evan Ferguson are benched with Aaron Cresswell not involved.
West Ham: Areola; Kilman, Todibo, Alvarez; Wan-Bissaka, Paqueta, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Scarles; Bowen, Kudus.
Subs: Fabianski, Carlos Soler, Coufal, Fullkrug, Mavropanos, Guilherme, Rodriguez, Emerson, Ferguson.
The hamstrung Justin Kluivert misses out again for Bournemouth, who make one change. Tyler Adams replaces the injured Ryan Christie.
Bournemouth: Kepa; Kerkez, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Smith; Cook, Adams; Scott, Ouattara, Semenyo; Evanilson.
Subs: Dennis, Senesi, Brooks, Julio Soler, Jebbison, Araujo, Hill, Silcott-Duberry, Winterburn.
Ipswich vs Wolves teams
Link copied to clipboard
No change for either the Tractor Boys or Wolves, which is understandable as both sides won last time out.
Ipswich: Palmer, Burgess, Townsend, O’Shea, Tuanzebe, Enciso, Johnson, Broadhead, Morsy, Cajuste, Delap
Subs: Woolfenden, Davis, Phillips, Taylor, Philogene, J Clark, Chaplin, Hirst, Walton
The visitors have brought Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo Gomes on to the bench.
Wolves: Sa, Doherty, Agbadou, T Gomes, Semedo, Andre, Munetsi, J Gomes, Ait-Nouri, Bellegarde, Strand Larsen
Subs: Bueno, Djia, R Gomes, Hee-Chan, Doyle, Guedes, Sarabia, Forbs, Johnstone
Palace and Brighton line-ups
Link copied to clipboard
Here are the line-ups for today’s 3pm kick-offs.
With Chrs Richards out Palace have moved Jefferson Lerma to centre-back, while Daichi Kamada comes into midfield.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Munoz, Lerma, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Kamada, Wharton, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
Subs: Turner, Ward, Nketiah, Franca, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny
Danny Welbeck leads the line as Fabian Hurzeler rings four changes to the side beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa last time out.
Brighton: Vertbruggen, Hinshelwood, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan, Baleba, Gomez, O’Reily, Mitoma, Minteh, Welbeck
Subs: Rushworth, Gruda, March, Pedro, Adingra, Cashin, Ayari, Wieffer, Tasker
One hour until kick-off
Link copied to clipboard
Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of today’s Premier League action. There are three 3pm kick-offs today including West Ham vs Bournemouth, Ipswich v Wolves and the ‘A23 derby’ between Crystal Palace and Brighton at Selhurst Park. Then at 5.30pm seventh-placed Aston Villa host third-placed Nottingham Forest, with only four points separating Villa from fourth place.
You can also follow the progress of Everton vs Arsenal with Rob Smyth and football correspondents Sam Wallace and Chris Bascombe following proceedings. It’s 1-1 at Goodison Park.