Gómez Scores From 51 Metres as Brighton Thrash Crystal Palace 5-0 in M23 Derby
Diego Gómez scored a sensational goal from 51 metres as Brighton thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, October 18, in the Premier League. Brighton scored three goals in the first ten minutes of the M23 derby and move up to second place in the table.
Brighton took the lead in the fourth minute. Pascal Groß sent in a wicked free kick from the right flank, and Palace defender Jaydee Canvot headed it into his own net. Three minutes later, Gómez scored one of the goals of the season. Palace goalkeeper Walter Benítez was standing near his penalty spot when the Paraguay international spotted him and hit a rocket from just inside the halfway line, which flew into the upper corner of the net.
Opta said the strike was from 51 metres, the furthest-range goal in the Premier League since Wayne Rooney scored from 58 metres for Everton against West Ham in November 2017. It was Gómez's first goal for Brighton since the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on March 1.
Yasin Ayari made it 3-0 in the tenth minute, after nine minutes and 30 seconds, the quickest any team has reached three goals in a Premier League match since April 2023, according to Brighton's own report. Palace trailed by three at half-time.
Charalampos Kostoulas scored the fourth in the 49th minute. Jack Hinshelwood completed the scoring in the 84th minute, converting from close range after Benítez parried Luka Vušković's header. Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta, who had returned after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury, hit the crossbar for Palace, and Jefferson Lerma headed against the post.
It was Brighton's biggest win over Palace since a 5-0 victory on January 14, 1956. It was their eighth clean sheet in all competitions this season and their fifth Premier League win. Brighton are the Premier League's top scorers, and have also beaten Aston Villa 4-0, Arsenal 3-0 and Coventry City 5-0 away from home. They now have 16 points, one more than third-placed Arsenal, who visit Nottingham Forest later on Sunday.
The win was also a notable moment for head coach Fabian Hürzeler. Eight months ago, in February, the Amex crowd booed him and chanted for him to be sacked.