Brighton's Superb Start: The Premier League's Most Watchable Project

Brighton & Hove Albion's flying start to the season found its signature moment on Sunday: Diego Gómez, from 51 metres, floating a shot over Walter Benítez in a 5-0 dismantling of arch-rivals Crystal Palace that equalled a club record set in 1956.

It was the Premier League goal from furthest out since Wayne Rooney's 58-metre strike for Everton against West Ham in November 2017 — and the highlight of an afternoon that left Brighton in the Champions League conversation and Palace in crisis.

Ten minutes that decided a derby

Jaydee Canvot's own goal opened the floodgates, Gómez's wonderstrike made it two, and Yasin Ayari's deflected effort had Brighton 3-0 up inside ten minutes. Charalampos Kostoulas added the fourth just after half-time before substitute Jack Hinshelwood completed the rout late on.

The visitors' misery was complete: Jean-Philippe Mateta hit the bar with the goal gaping, Palace fans streamed out early, and assistant Paddy McCarthy had to be held back from the Brighton bench. Palace have now conceded more goals than any other Premier League side this season, and manager Pierre Sage — "my feeling is shame," he admitted — knows the club's history: both Patrick Vieira and Roy Hodgson were dismissed not long after losing this fixture.

Built to last

For Fabian Hürzeler, once taunted by Palace fans after a February defeat, this was vindication. His side are the division's top scorers, lead the league for goals from outside the box, and have a squad young enough to suggest this is a project still accelerating — not a hot streak.

"The players deserve it," he said. "They faced adversity, they were always there for each other.