Benteke's Volley Wins Crystal Palace vs Brighton Thriller

Christian Benteke unleashed a volley at the death to give Crystal Palace a win in a hard-fought game against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Monday.

The win was Crystal's first win in 3 consecutive EPL games as they rise a bit further away from relegation while Brighton could drop further as they are sandwiched between Leeds and Southampton -- with one game at hand apiece.

Brighton also came into the match unbeaten in their last six league games but it was Benteke for Crystal Palace who had the final say, scoring with his first league goal since mid-December.

Palace opened up the goal gates with loanee, Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring his first goal in English Premier League with an improvised backheel finish in the 28th minute with Andrew Ayew providing the assist.

READ ALSO: EPL: Liverpool's Title Defence Dented By Brighton

Brighton improved after the break and restored parity in the 55th minute through Joel Veltman, who swept home his first goal for Graham Potter's side as the ball broke loose in the penalty area.

Veltman recovered the ball with a powerful shot that made the net shaky as Brighton got back on levelled terms.

The chances kept coming for Brighton as they finished the match having had 25 shots at goal.

But Palace, from just three efforts, scored twice, with Benteke popping up with the winner to break Brighton's hearts in the 95th minute.

Run it back.#CPFC | #BHACRY pic.twitter.com/KfX3o01OMV

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 23, 2021

Benteke latched on to Andros Townsend’s cross to secure an unlikely victory.

The win moved Palace up to 13th in the standings on 32 points. Brighton remained 16th on 26 points, four points clear of the relegation zone.

"It is a massive result, and We know we play a derby against a very good side.

"It wasn't easy, they managed to come back in the game in the second half. We put our lives on the line, tried to defend as much as we could and I had a chance to score a great goal."

"It is difficult, a very sore one, we did everything but get the points," Potter said after the match.

"They were in our box I think twice and scored two. That is the beauty of football but it doesn't feel so beautiful at the moment, it feels painful."