October 26 2002

Andy Johnson

Crystal Palace outfought, and outsung a poor Brighton side to claim a famous 5-0 victory.

Andy Johnson scored a hatrick, with Dougie Freedman scoring one from the penalty spot, and Julian Gray wrapped up the game with a neat shot from the left wing.

Johnson gave the home side the perfect start, scoring from close-range following Julian Gray’s corner.

Tony Popovic had a "goal" ruled out shortly after but Johnson doubled the advantage with a near post header from a Gray cross on 35.

In the 56th minute, Johnson was hauled down in the box following a great run and Dougie Freedman stepped up to net from the spot.

Four minutes later, Johnson was brought down again in the penalty area and put away the spot-kick himself to claim his hat-trick. Brighton's Paul Brooker was sent off for bringing Johnson down.

Gray made it five nil two minutes afterwards when he ghosted past two Brighton defenders and drilled home from ten yards.

Johnson and Dele Adebola should have compounded Brighton’s misery with more goals as former Eagles boss Steve Coppell had a miserabale return to Selhurst Park.

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