Gomez scores from halfway line as Brighton rout Palace; Man Utd held

Brighton and Hove Albion’s Diego Gomez (C) celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the American Express Stadium. (is associated with: «Gomez scores from halfway line as Brighton rout Palace; Man Utd held») Gareth Fuller/PA Wire/dpa

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

The Albion midfielder spectacularly opened his account for the season by pinging the ball over stranded Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez 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 Gomez’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 Hürzeler to move the high-flying south-coast club on to 16 points from seven games.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second-half equaliser extended Manchester United’s winless Premier League run to five matches as they were held 1-1 at Leeds United.

Bryan Mbeumo stole in to fire the visitors into a half-time lead, but Leeds hit back early in the second period through Calvert-Lewin’s thumping finish.

Leeds fans held high hopes of securing their first home win over the Red Devils in 45 years after Michael Carrick’s side had won only one of their previous six league games this season.

There was little in terms of quality on show from either side in a full-blooded derby clash, but Carrick will have no complaints about his players’ application as they matched Leeds’ intensity to earn a deserved point.

Evanilson scored and contributed an assist as Bournemouth comfortably beat 10-man Sunderland 2-0.

The Brazilian got himself stuck in early, unselfishly teeing up Marcus Tavernier, who nodded in a sixth-minute opener. Evanilson was then dragged down by central defender Kevin Danso, who was dismissed in the 17th minute. Three minutes after the restart Evanilson capitalised on an error to double the scoring and mark a career century of goals.

Nottingham Forest play champions Arsenal later on Sunday.

Brighton and Hove Albion’s Charalampos Kostoulas scores his side’s fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace at the American Express Stadium. (is associated with: «Gomez scores from halfway line as Brighton rout Palace; Man Utd held») Gareth Fuller/PA Wire/dpa Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot (C) battles for the ball with Leeds United players during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road. (is associated with: «Gomez scores from halfway line as Brighton rout Palace; Man Utd held») Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire/dpa Bournemouth’s Evanilson (R) scores his side’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Sunderland at the Vitality Stadium. (is associated with: «Gomez scores from halfway line as Brighton rout Palace; Man Utd held») Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/dpa British referee Craig Pawson shows a red card to Sunderland’s Kevin Danso during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Sunderland at the Vitality Stadium. (is associated with: «Gomez scores from halfway line as Brighton rout Palace; Man Utd held») Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/dpa

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