Brighton produced a remarkable performance to overwhelm Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, scoring three times inside the opening 10 minutes before completing a record-equalling victory in the M23 derby.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side combined ruthless finishing with attacking intensity to secure their fourth consecutive Premier League win. Diego Gómez provided the afternoon’s defining moment with a spectacular strike from the halfway line, while the result also gave Brighton their first victory over Palace in five attempts under Hürzeler.
The hosts needed only four minutes to take the lead. Pascal Groß delivered a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area, and Palace defender Jaydee Canvot inadvertently headed the ball past his own goalkeeper, Walter Benítez.
Brighton doubled their advantage three minutes later through Gómez, who spotted Benítez off his line and attempted an audacious shot from approximately 51 metres. The Paraguayan midfielder struck the ball cleanly from just inside the opposition half, sending it over the retreating goalkeeper and into the net.
The effort was the Premier League’s longest-range goal since Wayne Rooney scored from 58 metres for Everton against West Ham United in November 2017, according to Opta data reported by Reuters.
Gómez later explained how he recognised the opportunity.
“When I got the ball I knew the goalkeeper was a little bit ahead. When I scored, I didn’t know where to run or what to do. I was very happy with the goal.”
The midfielder also credited Brighton’s training-ground work for the confidence to attempt such an ambitious strike.
“It’s about the brotherhood and the intensity. We keep doing this in training and games.”
Hürzeler was equally pleased with Gómez’s contribution, but stressed that the midfielder’s value to the team extended beyond his spectacular finish.
“He’s a hard worker, he always puts the team first. He’s always ‘we’ then ‘me’.”
The Brighton manager added that Gómez had been eager to contribute goals and assists, describing the strike as a deserved reward for the effort he had been putting into his development and the team.
Palace had barely recovered from the second goal when Brighton struck again. A flowing attacking move involving Gómez and Charalampos Kostoulas created the opportunity for Yasin Ayari, whose effort took a deflection before finding the net in the 10th minute.
Three goals inside the opening 10 minutes left the visitors facing an almost impossible task. Palace struggled to establish any rhythm, while Brighton continued to exploit the spaces left by their opponents’ defensive uncertainty.
The hosts maintained their dominance after the interval. Kostoulas made it 4-0 in the 48th minute, finishing after another dangerous move involving Groß. Substitute Jack Hinshelwood then completed the scoring in the 84th minute, putting the finishing touch on an emphatic afternoon for the home side.
The final statistics underlined Brighton’s superiority. They recorded 17 shots, nine on target and eight corners, compared with Palace’s five attempts and just one effort on target. Brighton also enjoyed 57 per cent possession and completed 516 passes, while Palace managed 384.
The result matched Brighton’s biggest-ever victory over Palace, previously achieved in 1956. It also ended a four-match winless run in the rivalry, giving Hürzeler a particularly satisfying result after the criticism he faced following the previous home defeat to their local rivals.
Reflecting on the change in atmosphere since that earlier meeting, Hürzeler acknowledged the significance of the result.
“The last game against Palace made me really grounded, having this criticism. It wasn’t easy.”
He praised his players for remaining united through a difficult period and credited their work over the preceding month.
“The players deserve it for the hard work they did in the last month because they really stuck together, they faced adversity. They were always there for each other.”
The win took Brighton to 16 points from their opening seven league matches, keeping them firmly among the early contenders for European qualification. They had already scored 23 league goals this season, making them the Premier League’s leading scorers at the end of Sunday’s match.
For Palace, the afternoon exposed serious defensive problems. Conceding three goals so early left Pierre Sage’s side with little opportunity to recover, and their limited attacking threat meant Brighton were rarely forced to withstand sustained pressure.
Sage accepted responsibility for the disastrous start and admitted that significant improvements were required.
“We started really bad. It’s completely not normal to concede three goals in this kind of game after nine minutes.”
The Palace manager added that he had to take responsibility for the way his team began the match.
“I prepare the team, I’m responsible. I have a lot of work to do. I have to change this kind of thing.”
Sage also apologised directly to supporters after the defeat.
“I just want to apologise to the fans. We were not at the level we expected, and I’m really sorry for that because I know how important it is for them.”
Palace did have opportunities to reduce the deficit after falling four goals behind. Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta struck the crossbar, while Jefferson Lerma also saw an effort hit the woodwork. However, those chances did little to disguise the defensive weaknesses that had allowed Brighton to take control so early.
The result leaves Sage with difficult questions to answer as he attempts to improve Palace’s consistency and defensive organisation. His side must respond quickly to prevent the heavy defeat from undermining their progress during the opening weeks of the season.
For Brighton, the victory represented more than a convincing three points. Gómez’s extraordinary strike will dominate the highlights, but the speed of their opening goals, their attacking movement and their ability to maintain control after the break demonstrated the strength of Hürzeler’s team.
After enduring criticism following their previous home defeat to Palace, Brighton have delivered a response their supporters will remember for years. The Seagulls can now carry the confidence of a historic derby victory into their next Premier League challenge.
