Diego Gomez wondergoal inspires Brighton to 5-0 win over Crystal Palace

Brighton & Hove Albion moved to within five points of Premier League leaders Manchester City after Diego Gomez scored a remarkable goal from inside his own half in a 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Brighton took control at the Amex in the fourth minute when Jaydee Canvot turned the ball into his own net. Gomez doubled the advantage three minutes later with a goal-of-the-season contender.

The Brighton midfielder won possession from Adam Wharton close to the halfway line, took one touch and sent a long-range effort over Crystal Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez and into the net.

Yasin Ayari extended the hosts’ lead three minutes after Gomez’s strike, leaving Palace with a considerable deficit before half-time.

Charalampos Kostoulas added a fourth shortly after the interval. Ayari’s shot took a deflection and fell into the path of the Greece international, who finished from close range.

Brighton completed the scoring in the 84th minute through Jack Hinshelwood. Luka Vuskovic’s header appeared to have been kept out by Benitez, but the goalkeeper could only scoop the ball off the line. Hinshelwood reacted first to the rebound and fired home.

The result lifted Brighton to within five points of Manchester City, while Crystal Palace were beaten emphatically at the Amex.

Manchester United’s difficult week ended with a 1-1 draw against bitter rivals Leeds United at Elland Road.

United had appeared set for a much-needed victory after Bryan Mbeumo put them ahead in the 35th minute. The forward had already missed two chances before holding off James Justin and converting Youri Tielemans’ cross from six yards.

Leeds responded six minutes after half-time. Dominic Calvert-Lewin controlled the ball on his chest from a corner before poking it into the net to secure a share of the points.

The draw came at the end of a turbulent week for Manchester United, during which defender Lisandro Martinez publicly challenged the club’s hierarchy.

Leeds sit seventh in the table, while Manchester United are 13th after collecting only one win from their opening seven games.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth secured their first league victory of the season by beating Sunderland 2-0. The result moved Bournemouth up to 15th, while Sunderland remained in the relegation zone in 19th place.