Brighton & Hove Albion secured a commanding 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League’s A23 derby, highlighted by a remarkable 56-yard goal from midfielder Diego Gomez. The Paraguay international’s strike, scored just seven minutes into the match, set the tone for Brighton’s dominant performance at home.

Gomez’s goal came early in the fixture when he spotted goalkeeper Walter Benitez slightly off his line and launched a powerful shot from near the halfway line. The attempt sailed over the keeper and into the net, marking the longest-distance goal in the Premier League since Wayne Rooney’s 63-yard strike for Everton in 2017. The 23-year-old admitted he was overwhelmed after the goal, stating he "did not know where to run," but expressed pride in contributing to the team’s success.

The match had already seen an own goal from Palace’s Jaydee Canvot in the fourth minute, followed by Yasin Ayari’s effort to push the score to 3-0 within the first ten minutes. After halftime, Charalampos Kostoulas and substitute Jack Hinshelwood added further goals, deepening the Eagles’ defeat and handing Brighton their largest margin of victory against Crystal Palace in seven decades.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler praised Gomez’s breakthrough goal, emphasizing the midfielder’s development and work ethic since joining the club in January 2025 for £14 million from Inter Miami. Hurzeler, who took charge at 33, credited the player’s disciplined approach and commitment to the team’s ethos. “Diego is a hard worker and he always puts the team first,” Hurzeler said. “He wants to be involved in goals and assists, and I’m very happy he’s being rewarded for his efforts.”

The win also marked a significant turnaround for Brighton, who had lost the fixture 1-0 earlier in the season amid fan dissatisfaction and now sit third in the Premier League standings. Hurzeler acknowledged the team’s progress since that earlier defeat and thanked his players and staff for their collective efforts. He encouraged supporters to enjoy the victory and take pride in the club’s resurgence.

Brighton’s emphatic victory and Gomez’s spectacular goal illustrate the team’s growing confidence and attacking threat this season as they continue to challenge among the league’s top sides.