Long-range rocket helps Brighton shoot down Eagles in 5-0 rout

A breathtaking 50-meter strike stood out among the five goals scored by Brighton in the latest big win from this season's surprise package in the Premier League.

Evoking memories of David Beckham's famous goal from the halfway line for Manchester United 30 years ago, Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez boldly launched a shot from just inside Crystal Palace's half and watched the ball fly over the fingertips of leaping Palace keeper Walter Benitez and into the net, producing a certain goal-of-the-season contender.

Gomez had been well off target with a similar attempt during the previous weekend's 2-0 win away at Sunderland.

But Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler credited him for trying again, while also showing the mentality the Albion boss craves.

"He's a hard worker, he always puts the team first. He's always 'we' then 'me'," Hurzeler said.

"I know how desperately he wants to get involved in scoring and having assists.

"Last week, he showed against Sunderland, there was already that attempt shooting from the halfway line. There, the wind wasn't perfect. Now, the wind was better for him.

"I'm really happy that he got this reward for all of the effort he's putting into the club, into his own development, and into the team."

It was the second of three goals in the opening 10 minutes for Brighton, which swept to a 5-0 win over Palace and another statement victory in a campaign that has already seen the south-coast team overwhelm Arsenal 3-0.

As well as profiting from a Palace own goal, Brighton also had goals from Yasin Ayari, Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood at Amex Stadium and moved up to third place with the win.

Only three teams in Premier League history — Arsenal (2009-10), Manchester United (2011-12) and Manchester City (2019-20) — have scored more after seven matches than Brighton's 23 goals, according to stats supplier Opta.

It was the worst possible result for Eagles manager Pierre Sage, who was under pressure even before a heavy loss to his club's biggest rival.

The Frenchman apologized to fans and said he didn't know if he'd be given time to turn things around after two wins in seven matches.

Pressure on Carrick

Manchester United ended a turbulent week with a frustrating 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday that does little to ease the pressure on beleaguered manager Michael Carrick.

The Red Devils traveled to the home of their bitter rival desperate to find a spark, but were forced to settle for a point after Dominic Calvert-Lewin canceled out Bryan Mbeumo's first-half opener.

United now has just one win in seven league games this season and is winless in its past six matches in all competitions.

Carrick — in his first full season in charge — is scrambling for answers, with his team looking short of quality and confidence.

The sense of a growing crisis at Old Trafford was exacerbated by a midweek outburst from defender Lisandro Martinez, who took aim at the United hierarchy after a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Carrick chose to focus on the positives after Sunday's game at Elland Road, insisting that the draw was a step in the right direction.

"If there's any weakness, it gets found out today," he told Sky Sports.

"I could feel before the game that the players were ready for it. It wasn't perfect, our confidence isn't sky-high, but the players were trying to do the right things.

"In moments we looked really good. Defended really well as a team."

United, in 13th spot, has its fewest wins at this stage of a topflight campaign since 1986-87.

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