Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a stunning 5-0 victory over rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday, a result that equalled their record win against the Eagles from 1956. The Seagulls were three goals up inside ten minutes before a spectacular strike from Diego Gómez sealed a dominant performance that lifts them to third in the Premier League, a position they hold with 16 points from seven games, having recorded five wins, one draw, and one loss.
The tone was set in the fourth minute when a Pascal Groß free-kick forced Palace defender Jaydee Canvot into an own goal. Three minutes later, Gómez doubled the lead, finishing from close range after a low cross from Olivier Boscagli. Yasin Ayari made it three in the tenth minute, converting a Charalampos Kostoulas assist. Kostoulas would later add a goal himself in the 49th minute.
Gómez then produced the moment of the match just after half-time. Spotting goalkeeper W. Benítez off his line, the midfielder launched a shot from his own half that sailed over the stranded keeper from 51 metres. It was the furthest Premier League goal since Wayne Rooney's effort for Everton in 2017 and a fitting highlight for a Brighton side that leads the league in goals from outside the box this season.
Substitute Jack Hinshelwood completed the scoring in the 84th minute, capping a comprehensive team display. The statistics reflected Brighton's control, with 17 shots to Palace's five and 57% possession. The win extends Brighton's winning run in all competitions to five matches and leaves them on 16 points from seven games, just five points behind leaders Manchester City. Their recent form is five wins and no draws or losses from their last five matches, a sequence that includes a 4-0 win over Kauno Žalgiris, a 2-0 victory at Sunderland, a 3-0 triumph against Arsenal, a 3-2 win at Manchester United, and a 5-0 success at Coventry. This season, they have scored 23 goals and conceded only five, giving them a formidable goal difference of plus 18.
Head coach Fabian Hürzeler expressed immense pride in his team's response, having faced criticism from Palace fans after a defeat in this fixture two years ago. He said the performance showed the character and quality within the squad.
Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage apologised to the travelling supporters, describing the display as unacceptable. His side, which has conceded more goals than any other in the league this season, saw Jean-Philippe Mateta hit the crossbar in a rare chance but were otherwise overwhelmed.
Liverpool currently sit fifth, setting up a key clash between two of the league's in-form sides. The team's top scorer this season is P. Groß with three goals in six appearances.
