Diego Gómez's 51-metre strike from the halfway line stuns Crystal Palace
Diego Gómez launches a 51-metre strike from the halfway line as Brighton dismantle rivals Crystal Palace at the Amex.
BRIGHTON — Diego Gómez produced a contender for goal of the season on Sunday, scoring from just inside the halfway line as Brighton and Hove Albion tore into arch-rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium.
In the seventh minute, with Brighton already 1-0 ahead through an own goal, the Paraguay international collected the ball near midfield, spotted Palace goalkeeper Walter Benítez stranded well off his line and launched a 51-metre strike into the net (USA Today). Benítez was near the penalty spot when the ball sailed over him (NBC Sports).
According to Opta, it was the furthest-range Premier League goal since Wayne Rooney’s 58-metre effort for Everton against West Ham in November 2017.
“Diego Gomez did a Beckham,” the Associated Press reported (AP), evoking David Beckham’s famous goal from a similar range for Manchester United against Wimbledon on the opening day of the 1996-97 season.
Gómez’s strike put Brighton 2-0 ahead, and the Seagulls were 3-0 up three minutes later. At the time of writing the match was still in play; no full-time result is claimed.
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