Diego Gómez sensationally scored from the halfway line as Brighton struck three goals in the opening 10 minutes en route to thrashing bitter rivals Crystal Palace 5-0.

The Albion midfielder spectacularly opened his account for the season by pinging the ball over stranded Palace goalkeeper Walter Benítez from fractionally inside opposition territory.

His 51-metre finish conjured memories of David Beckham's eye-catching effort against Wimbledon 30 years ago and was the longest-range Premier League goal since Wayne Rooney scored from 58 metres for Everton against West Ham in November 2017.

Jaydee Canvot's own goal had set the Seagulls on course for a fourth successive top-flight win before Yasin Ayari's deflected finish quickly added to Gómez's stunner in a remarkable opening to the contest.

Charalampos Kostoulas added the fourth before Jack Hinshelwood completed the scoring after Eagles substitutes Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jefferson Lerma were denied consolations by the goal frame.

Brighton's resounding victory was a first over Palace at the fifth attempt under head coach Fabian Hurzeler to move the high-flying south-coast club on to 16 points from seven games.

Eagles fans had packed the away end waving inflatable Conference League trophies to taunt Albion supporters but endured a humiliating afternoon in soggy Sussex as their outclassed side meekly surrendered.