Brighton chase historic start after stunning 5-0 win over Palace
Brighton have not only been the most prolific scoring side in the Premier League this season, they have also been producing some of the most spectacular goals. Centre‑half Lewis Dunk collected the league’s Goal of the Month award for September after a 35‑yard strike against Coventry, but his accolade was quickly eclipsed by a teammate’s effort just five weeks later.
Diego Gomez, who entered the fray in the seventh minute, launched a shot from the halfway line that flew over Crystal Palace keeper Walter Benítez and settled just under the crossbar. “As soon as I struck it I knew it was in,” the Brighton captain laughed, adding that the goal had taken the club’s goal of the season away from him. Former Premier League striker Efan Ekoku, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, called the strike “the goal of the season so far, superbly struck and right over the head of the keeper from the centre‑circle.” Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, now a Match of the Day pundit, likened the goal to David Beckham’s famous 1996 strike for Manchester United against Wimbledon, saying he could not blame Benítez for being caught out and praising Gomez’s execution.
The 51‑metre effort was the longest Premier League goal from open play since Wayne Rooney’s 58‑metre winner for Everton against West Ham in November 2017. The 23‑year‑old Paraguayan midfielder said he simply saw the keeper a step ahead and took the chance. “I was very happy with the goal,” he said.
Brighton’s attacking display has already outshone even the great clubs of Europe. The Seagulls sit third in the table with 16 points from seven games and have netted 23 league goals – four more than league leaders Manchester City and more than double the 11 scored by defending champions Arsenal. Since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, only three teams have recorded more goals in their first seven matches: Arsenal in 2009‑10 (24), Manchester United in 2011‑12 (24) and Manchester City in 2019‑20 (27). In the five major European leagues, only Barcelona have scored more domestic league goals this season, with 39 from nine La Liga fixtures.
Ten different players have found the net for Brighton, who opened the campaign with a 4‑0 victory over Aston Villa, followed by a 5‑0 thrashing of Coventry, a 3‑0 win against Arsenal, a 2‑0 triumph at Sunderland despite being reduced to ten men, and now the 5‑0 demolition of Palace. Their cup form has been equally impressive, overturning a 2‑0 deficit to beat Manchester United 3‑2 at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup, and they have already advanced in the Europa Conference League, scoring four against both Tromsø and Kauno Žalgiris.
Manager Fabian Hürzeler, appointed in June 2024 at 31 to become the youngest permanent Premier League manager, noted how dramatically the atmosphere at the Amex has changed. When Brighton beat Palace 1‑0 in February, the club were languishing in 14th place with just one win from 12 games and supporters were chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at the manager. Hürzeler cautioned against complacency, insisting the team must stay humble and keep improving. “The season will be long. We have to keep pushing, stay humble and understand why we are successful at the moment,” he said.
He also reminded Gomez to keep his feet on the ground. “It’s not simple to score a goal like this,” Hürzeler said. “Everyone talks about the strike, but the important thing is the small passes we missed and the areas we can improve. We don’t train shots from 50 metres, but his finish was precise and his awareness of the keeper was impressive.”
Brighton’s next five fixtures are all away from home, including league trips to Liverpool and Manchester City, a Carabao Cup last‑16 clash at the Etihad, and Conference League ties in the Czech Republic against Jablonec and in Spain against Getafe. The Seagulls return to the Amex on 8 November, hoping to keep their historic start alive.