Leading their teams with skill and prowess, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Danny Welbeck have been standout figures for Crystal Palace and Brighton, respectively. The duo has collectively scored an impressive 12 Premier League goals this season, showcasing their exceptional abilities as forwards.

However, it was the defenders who truly stole the limelight at Selhurst Park, with Jaydee Canvot delivering an especially remarkable performance. The 19-year-old center back joined Crystal Palace from Toulouse over the summer, in a deal potentially worth £23 million, beating out competition from Aston Villa. His arrival was crucial for manager Oliver Glasner’s strategy, particularly when considering offers for Marc Guehi from Liverpool on deadline day.

Glasner communicated to Chairman Steven Parish the essential role Guehi played in the squad. Without him, and with no time to secure a replacement after Igor Julio opted for a move to West Ham from Brighton, the manager would have had to lean on the inexperienced Canvot. This would have thrust the young player into the demanding Premier League environment before he was fully prepared.

Jean-Philippe Mateta was unable to add to his six league goals against a resolute Brighton

Danny Welbeck led the line against a Marc Guehi-less Palace defence but also failed to score

Selhurst Park fell quiet for a Remembrance Sunday minute’s silence before the match began

Canvot steps up

The decision to retain Guehi paid off, allowing Canvot the opportunity to gradually adjust to English football away from the intense pressure of the spotlight. When he was finally called upon to fill Guehi’s role, Canvot rose to the occasion with remarkable poise and effectiveness.

The Palace boss told chairman Steven Parish that without Guehi – and without time to sign a replacement after Igor Julio snubbed them to join West Ham from Brighton – he would be forced to rely upon Canvot, exposing the young talent to the demands of the Premier League before he was proven or ready for the step.

Glasner won the argument and Canvot has had time to acclimatise into English football without the glare of the spotlight. When the time came to step into Guehi’s shoes, however, he did it with style.

Canvot, promoted to win his first cap for France U21s last month, replaced the Palace captain who missed his first game of the season with a foot injury picked up in the final seconds of the Conference League tie against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.

Canvot made his first Premier League start on the left side of the Palace back three. He performed with maturity beyond his years. Comfortable in possession, he showed he can read the game, made good decisions, passed the ball simply and without fuss. He also coped well with the threat of Yankuba Minteh rolling inside from Brighton’s right wing.

When Guehi does eventually depart, most probably for Liverpool at the end of the season when his contract expires, Palace might think they already have his replacement in the club, and much better for the experience of a season on the fringes.

Jaydee Canvot was imperious at the heart of the Crystal Palace backline at Selhurst Park

Oliver Glasner was visibly animated as his side failed to score in front of a packed home crowd

VAR at its best

Canvot was in the thick of things when referee Tim Robinson awarded Brighton a penalty in the 62nd minute. Georginio Rutter tumbled on the run inside the Palace penalty box as he squeezed between the teenager and Adam Wharton.

Contact was minimal, though and Robinson was sent to the pitchside monitor to study replays before he overturned his decision because Rutter had initiated the contact. Ultimately, it was the correct decision and Rutter received a yellow card for his attempts to deceive.

Midfield tussle

The tussle between two of the Premier League’s most exciting midfield prospects did not ignite as anticipated. Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba are in the sights of Europe’s elite but here there were only flashes of their quality.

Wharton perhaps edged the duel, sparkling early on, catching the eye with his effortless passing range but he was also caught in possession at the end of the first half, launching Brighton on a counter wasted by Minteh. Just back from illness, he faded, as did Palace.

Baleba, who has not recaptured last season’s form since summer interest from Manchester United, mixed up the good and bad. There were glimpses of what he can do, his powerful presence and also errors on the ball.

Brighton’s understated Yasin Ayari was the pick of those in central midfield.

Referee Tim Robinson booked Georginio Rutter for simulation after falling in the Palace box

The match official was sent to the VAR monitor after initially awarding Brighton a penalty

Yasin Ayari stood out in a midfield battle with stars such as Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba

Weary Palace

Bart Verbruggen made the two best saves of the game. One near the start from Ismaila Sarr and one near the end from Yeremy Pino. And yet Palace looked like the team with extra miles in their legs. They have played five games more than Brighton this season, coming into this game after a Europa Conference tie on Thursday. 

It was the visitors, also with a decent range of options on the bench, who summoned the stronger finish, pushing the hardest to find a winner in the closing stages.

But the Palace defences were strong enough to hold. Brighton have not won at Selhurst since 2019.