Graham Potter insists the praise Brighton have received for recent performances will count for nothing when they tackle bitter rivals Crystal Palace. 

The Seagulls have turned promising displays into points since the turn of the year, losing just two of their past 11 Premier League games, and would move seven points clear of the drop zone with victory tonight.

As a result, Potter, 45, has been applauded by pundits and fellow managers alike — but he insists his side have done little different on the pitch.

He said: "We live in a simple world of if you lose then you're bad and if you win then you're good — all of a sudden we're good.

"But we haven't done anything significantly different to when we were bad.

"That's the world we're in and it helps when you get results, because that helps belief and confidence.

We haven't done anything significantly different to when we were bad Graham Potter

"But we know we have to start again on Monday because you don't get anything in this league for something you did a couple of days ago."

Already popular with fans on the South Coast, victory over fiercest rivals Palace would only elevate Potter's status at the Amex Stadium.

Despite the Eagles’ recent struggles and talk of Roy Hodgson leaving at the end of the season, the Seagulls boss has heaped praised on his opposite number.

Potter added: "He's had an amazing career and he's done an amazing job at Crystal Palace to keep them in the league for so many years.

"Sometimes it's just the way results can go, you can have a few injuries and go through tough moments.

"But I have a huge respect for Roy and I'm sure he'll come through any tough times."

Hodgson, 73, believes the ‘extra spice’ of a derby offers his side the perfect opportunity to put damaging defeats to Leeds and Burnley behind them.

The fact that it's Brighton adds the extra spice Roy Hodgson

His side arrive with a three-point cushion over their hosts and are seven points clear of Fulham, who currently occupy the final relegation spot. 

But ahead of a potentially huge clash against the Cottagers on Sunday, ex-England boss Hodgson will be desperate for his troops to avoid a third successive defeat this evening.

He said: “The fact that it's Brighton adds the extra spice because it's a very important game to our fans. Everyone at the club is very much aware of that.

"It's a good opportunity to get out there and show that the last couple of performances are not what our fans can expect from us."

Wilfried Zaha (thigh) will miss out for Palace but they could welcome back James McCarthy (groin), while Tariq Lamptey (thigh) remains sidelined for Brighton, who may name Adam Webster (ankle) and Alireza Jahanbakhsh (hamstring) in their squad.

Did you know?

Palace have won three of their last six away league games against Brighton — as many as they had in their previous 35 such visits.

Brighton have gone unbeaten in six consecutive top-flight games for the first time since a run of eight ending in November 1981.

Palace have lost 18 of their last 20 Premier League games in which Wilfried Zaha has not played, with the Eagles failing to score in 16 of those 18 defeats.