Gomez scores from halfway as Brighton hit Palace for five
Diego Gomez scored from the halfway line as Brighton thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Amex on Sunday.
The goal arrived in the seventh minute. It put Brighton 2-0 ahead and lit up a derby win that kept their flying start to the season going, as reported by BBC.
Gomez struck it from 51 metres. That makes it the furthest long-range goal in the Premier League since Wayne Rooney scored from 58 metres for Everton against West Ham in November 2017.
Former goalkeeper Shay Given said the strike was reminiscent of David Beckham's famous goal for Manchester United against Wimbledon in 1996. Beckham spotted the goalkeeper off his line and lobbed him from his own half. Gomez did the same.
It was Brighton's second wonder goal in quick succession. Lewis Dunk had already won the Premier League Goal of the Month for September with a 35-yard effort against Coventry City.
Brighton now have 16 points from seven matches. They sit third in the table and they are scoring freely.
They have 23 league goals. That is four more than league leaders Manchester City. Reigning champions Arsenal have 11, less than half of Brighton's total.
The numbers are historic. Since the top flight was rebranded as the Premier League in 1992, only three sides have scored more in their first seven games. Arsenal managed 24 in 2009-10, Manchester United managed 24 in 2011-12, and Manchester City managed 27 in 2019-20.
In Europe's top five leagues, only Barcelona have more domestic league goals than Brighton. The Spanish side have 39 in nine La Liga matches.
What makes this stand out is the spread. Brighton have had 10 different goalscorers already. No one player is carrying the load.
That run started on the opening weekend with a 4-0 win against Aston Villa. Brighton then won 5-0 away at Coventry City and beat Arsenal 3-0 before putting five past Palace without reply, according to Reuters.
For fans, this means every attack feels alive. Palace had to defend from the first whistle. Gomez punished them from 50 yards. Others punished them up close.
