Three defeats in a row, no win in 2023 and a dangerous drop towards the Premier League relegation zone.

Things are going from bad to worse for Crystal Palace and the team’s general manager, Patrick Vieira.

What doesn’t help the south London club’s spirits is their latest defeat at arch-rivals Brighton, with Solly March scoring Wednesday’s first-half winner.

Palace’s last win was at Bournemouth in the league on December 31. Since then there have been seven losses and a draw in 12 matches, 11 of which have come in the league.

It has been the toughest period for Vieira at Arsenal, who has had a brilliant 20 months at Palace.

Although the team is 12th in the league, congestion at the bottom of the standings leaves Palace three points above the relegation zone and just five points off last-place Southampton.

Southampton were unable to build on that result at Old Trafford, losing 1-0 to Brentford, four days after a 0-0 draw at Manchester United.

Ivan Toney opened the scoring after a flick-on from a corner in the 32nd minute, and he scored 16 goals for the campaign – third behind Arling Haaland and Harry Kane. Toni then headed in Yoane Wissa to score the second goal in second-half stoppage time.

Brighton and Brentford have never played in a European competition but that is about to change.

Brighton, who are playing some enterprising football under Roberto Di Zerbi, stayed in seventh place but are now level on points with sixth-placed Liverpool and two points behind fifth-placed Newcastle.

Brentford are a further point behind in eighth.