Diego Gomez scored sensationally from the halfway line as Brighton struck three goals in the opening 10 minutes en route to thrashing bitter rivals Crystal Palace 5-0.
The Albion midfielder spectacularly opened his account for the season by pinging the ball over stranded Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez from fractionally inside opposition territory.
Goal of the season contender
His 51-metre finish conjured memories of David Beckham’s eye-catching effort against Wimbledon 30 years ago and was the longest-range Premier League goal since Wayne Rooney scored from 58 metres for Everton against West Ham in November 2017.
Jaydee Canvot’s own goal had set the Seagulls on course for a fourth successive top-flight win before Yasin Ayari’s deflected finish quickly added to Gomez’s stunner in a remarkable opening to the contest.
Hinshelwood completes scoring
Charalampos Kostoulas added the fourth before Jack Hinshelwood completed the scoring after Eagles substitutes Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jefferson Lerma were denied consolations by the goal frame.
Brighton’s resounding victory was a first over Palace at the fifth attempt under head coach Fabian Hurzeler to move the high-flying south-coast club on to 16 points from seven games.
Eagles fans had packed the away end waving inflatable Conference League trophies to taunt Albion supporters but endured a humiliating afternoon in soggy Sussex as their outclassed side meekly surrendered.
