• Brighton's Joel Veltman scores against Crystal Palace. Reuters
    Brighton's Joel Veltman scores against Crystal Palace. Reuters
  • Alireza Jahanbakhsh of Brighton in action against Gary Cahill and Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace. EPA
    Alireza Jahanbakhsh of Brighton in action against Gary Cahill and Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace. EPA
  • Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates scoring. Reuters
    Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates scoring. Reuters
  • Leandro Trossard of Brighton in action against Cheikhou Kouyate of Crystal Palace. EPA
    Leandro Trossard of Brighton in action against Cheikhou Kouyate of Crystal Palace. EPA
  • Danny Welbeck of Brighton in action against Gary Cahill of Crystal Palace. EPA
    Danny Welbeck of Brighton in action against Gary Cahill of Crystal Palace. EPA
  • Crystal Palace's Gary Cahill and Vicente Guaita. Reuters
    Crystal Palace's Gary Cahill and Vicente Guaita. Reuters
  • Crystal Palace's Belgian striker Christian Benteke shoots at goal. AFP
    Crystal Palace's Belgian striker Christian Benteke shoots at goal. AFP
  • Crystal Palace's Dutch defender Jairo Riedewald vies with Brighton's Argentinian midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. AFP
    Crystal Palace's Dutch defender Jairo Riedewald vies with Brighton's Argentinian midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. AFP
  • Leandro Trossard of Brighton in action against Jairo Riedewald of Crystal Palace. EPA
    Leandro Trossard of Brighton in action against Jairo Riedewald of Crystal Palace. EPA
  • Danny Welbeck of Brighton in action against goalkeeper Vicente Guaita of Crystal Palace. EPA
    Danny Welbeck of Brighton in action against goalkeeper Vicente Guaita of Crystal Palace. EPA
  • Brighton's Robert Sanchez looks on as Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke scores their second goal. Reuters
    Brighton's Robert Sanchez looks on as Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke scores their second goal. Reuters
  • Danny Welbeck of Brighton in action against Gary Cahill of Crystal Palace. EPA
    Danny Welbeck of Brighton in action against Gary Cahill of Crystal Palace. EPA

Roy Hodgson defends Crystal Palace smash-and-grab at Brighton, says the only stats that matter are goals


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson said the only numbers he is interested in are goals scored after his side were criticised despite beating Brighton 2-1 with a last-gasp winner on Monday.

Palace had only three attempts on goal to Brighton's 25, with substitute Christian Benteke's 95th-minute volley securing all three points for the Eagles.

The hosts also enjoyed 75 per cent possession, but Hodgson said the only stat that mattered was goals.

"The game is not about touches in the opposition box," he said. "The statistic that counts at the end of the day is the score.

"They had the better of the possession, that's for sure, they had the ball in our box more often, they had more quality but I'm not going to apologise for coming away with what we consider to be a very good victory."

He added: "We get so hung up on statistics these days. The game is decided by goals. Goals are a question of how well you take your chances and defend theirs.

"Until there are prizes for corners and touches in the box, it's very important we keep in mind that results are borne out by goals you score and goals you don't concede. I get no satisfaction when we lose and we have more corners or touches in their box."

Palace opened the scoring through Jean-Philippe Mateta before Joel Veltman equalised for Brighton.

Veltman said Brighton, who are 16th on 26 points, four clear of the relegation zone, did not deserve to come out of the game with nothing.

"It is unbelievable they are getting away with it," he added. "It feels like a robbery. Because of this result we are getting in the danger zone. We have to react and West Brom away is a very important game."

Brighton are still looking over their shoulders at the bottom three after a night that summed up so much of the season for Graham Potter's men.

"That's the nature of the league, how punishing it is, we have done a lot but clearly not enough," said Potter.

"The boys were doing everything to score, it felt like it was always in their penalty box never mind their half."

Palace, who are 13th on 32 points from 25 games, host Fulham on Sunday.

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Key facilities
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  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

On the menu

First course

▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water  

▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle

Second course

▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo

▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa

Third course

▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro

▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis

Dessert

▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate

▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
 

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre V6

Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km

Price: Dh179,999-plus

On sale: now 

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law