Ismaila Sarr scored twice as Crystal Palace beat Brighton to inflict a first home defeat of the season on their rivals and move four points clear of the relegation zone.

Centre-back Trevoh Chalobah hammered a shot into the roof of the net from close range to open the scoring in the 27th minute, after the ball bounced around the six-yard box following a corner.

The Eagles got their second just six minutes later when Tyrick Mitchell’s curling cross was headed in by Senegal forward Sarr at the far post.

And Sarr wrapped up the points with his second of the match late on when he broke free and rolled the ball under Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen in the 82nd minute.

Brighton got a consolation through a bizarre Marc Guehi own goal after another scramble from a corner.

Palace could have scored more in the first half – Daniel Munoz forced an excellent save from Verbruggen and Eberechi Eze’s header went just wide of the post.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler brought on Julio Enciso at the break and the Paraguay forward had an immediate impact as the home side had Palace trapped in their own half for large parts of the second period.

Palace keeper Dean Henderson made two excellent saves from Lewis Dunk and Enciso before the visitors thought they had scored a third when Munoz tapped the ball into the net. The goal was ruled out for a foul by Sarr on Pervis Estupinan in the build-up.

Sarr finally made it three late on to secure a first Palace victory over their rivals since 2021.

Brighton’s consolation came when Maxence’s Lacroix clearance ricocheted into the net off Guehi’s back for the England defender’s second own goal of the season.