Brighton right-back Ezequiel Schelotto was booked midway through the first half following a bust-up with rival Wilfried Zaha as tempers flared between the hosts and Crystal Palace.
The altercation came about when the Palace winger appeared to spit towards the Brighton substitutes warming up on the touchline.
But a bust-up occurred when Schelotto hit Zaha, who was already being jeered by the home fans, with the ball to spark a furious reaction from the Ivory Coast international.
The 27-year-old winger sprinted over to the Argentine and gave him a shove before the pair became engaged in a series of verbals.