Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun climbed off the bench to score a sumptuous goal as 10-man Brighton and Hove Albion picked up a remarkable 3-1 English Premier League victory over rivals Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday night.
Balogun who joined Brighton from Mainz on a free last summer chose the right moment to net his first goal of the season and it was in front of his team’s home fans.
The visitors were unfortunate to fall behind in the 24th minute when referee Kevin Friend deemed that James McArthur had fouled Jose Izquierdo despite winning the ball and Murray guided the resultant penalty home.
Friend did not award a spot-kick when James Tomkins sent Murray to ground and while the striker received treatment on his shoulder Duffy was shown a red card for a clash with Van Aanholt.
Chris Hughton sent Balogun on in response and the Nigeria international lashed a brilliant right-footed strike past Wayne Hennessey just 25 seconds later to complete a remarkable string of events.
Murray had to be replaced by Andone and, after a brilliant goal-line clearance from Bernardo kept Milivojevic out, the Romanian punished Palace on the counter-attack in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Brighton tried to hold out for a fourth Premier League clean sheet of the season but were unable to do so as Milivojevic scored a penalty for Palace after Wilfried Zaha was fouled by Balogun, though it was nothing but a consolation.
The impressive 3-1 result now puts Brighton on 21 points at 10th place after 15 round of matches in the English Premier League.
