A remarkable Diego Gomez goal from halfway has put an exclamation mark on Brighton’s 5-0 English Premier League win over Crystal Palace.
The result marked another statement victory in a campaign that has already seen the south-coast team overwhelm Arsenal 3-0.
But it was Gomez, hitting it like Beckham, who stole the spotlight.
Collecting the ball near the halfway line, the Brighton midfielder advanced just inside Crystal Palace’s half and launched a 50-metre shot over stranded goalkeeper Walter Benitez and into the net for a spectacular goal in the seventh minute of the EPL match at Amex Stadium overnight.
The Paraguay international’s shot revived memories of a strike from a similar range from David Beckham when playing for Manchester United against Wimbledon on the opening day of the 1996-97 Premier League season.
It remains one of football’s most famous goals and thrust Beckham into the global spotlight.
Gomez’s goal put Brighton 2-0 ahead against its biggest rival — and the team went 3-0 up three minutes later before running out a 5-0 winner.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said Gomez tried a similar effort in the 2-0 win at Sunderland last weekend.
“There the wind wasn’t perfect for this try,” Hurzeler said. “Now the wind was better for him.
“I’m really happy that he gets this reward for all of the effort he’s putting into the club, into his own development, and into the team.”
Brighton’s big win leaves it third on the EPL table behind Manchester City and Arsenal.Â
The side has scored a league-high 23 goals in seven games and has the best goal difference.
AP
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