Gomez’s 51-Metre Wonder Strike Fires Brighton to 5-0 Palace Rout

Diego Gomez scored one of the great Premier League goals as Brighton & Hove Albion thrashed rivals Crystal Palace 5-0 in the M23 derby on Sunday — a 51-metre strike from the centre circle that is the longest-range goal in the league for nearly nine years.

Brighton were already ahead through Jaydee Canvot's fourth-minute own goal when Gomez spotted Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez off his line in the seventh minute and launched it over the backpedalling keeper. Yasin Ayari made it 3-0 within ten minutes, and Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood completed the rout after the break.

A goal of the season contender

The last goal from further out in the Premier League was Wayne Rooney's 58-metre effort for Everton against West Ham in 2017. Gomez admitted he had no idea how to celebrate: one touch, one swing, and the ball sailed into the net. Even former goalkeeper Shay Given refused to blame Benitez, calling it simply a brilliant goal.

Brighton keep soaring

The Seagulls sit provisionally second, five points behind Manchester City, with a league-high 23 goals from seven games — shared among 11 different scorers. It was a sweet afternoon for Fabian Hurzeler, 33, whose fans sang for his sacking after a Palace defeat in February; the club kept faith, handed him a contract to 2029, and now sit third with their biggest win over Palace since 1956.

Source: Reuters / BBC Sport