PL: Gomez scores from halfway line as Brighton thrash Palace

Diego Gomez scored a sensational goal from the halfway line as Brighton hammered rivals Crystal Palace.

With the Seagulls already 1-0 ahead because of Jaydee Canvot's fourth-minute headed own goal, Gomez scored one of the goals of the season three minutes later.

Olivier Boscagli won the ball from Adam Wharton and 23-year-old Paraguay midfielder Gomez, spotting away goalkeeper Walter Benitez off his line, went for goal.

Benitez sprinted back and desperately dived, but the ball went in just under the crossbar.

Data provider Opta said the goal came from 51 metres out, the furthest long-range Premier League goal since Wayne Rooney scored from 58m in Everton's 4-0 win over West Ham in November 2017.

Things got even worse for Palace as Yasin Ayari made it 3-0 after only 10 minutes, running on to Charalampos Kostoulas' backheel and firing past Benitez.

Kostoulas made it 4-0 four minutes into the second half, shooting into the net after Ayari's effort deflected into his path.

Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta, back after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury, hit the crossbar for Palace and Jefferson Lerma headed against the post.

But Brighton added a fifth goal in the 84th minute with Jack Hinshelwood converting from close range after Benitez had parried Luka Vuskovic's header.

It meant Brighton earned their biggest win over Palace since 1956, kept their eighth clean sheet in all competitions of 2026-27 and recorded their fifth Premier League win of a superb campaign.

The result also takes them up to second, but they will drop back a place if Arsenal win at Nottingham Forest in the later game on Sunday.