The last time a Crystal Palace manager lost to Brighton it cost him his job so Roy Hodgson could have had no illusions about the importance of this match. But having looked like being able to celebrate the end of their winless run courtesy of Jordan Ayew’s goal, the substitute Danny Welbeck’s equaliser eight minutes from time ensured that Hodgson’s future remains very much in the balance.
A committed performance against Roberto De Zerbi’s side should mean that Hodgson won’t suffer the same fate as Patrick Vieira – who was sacked in a 7am phone call with the chairman, Steve Parish, as he drove to the training ground – just yet, even if games against Chelsea and Brentford after Christmas now look crucial with the former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper lurking in the background.
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