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  3. Fabian Hurzeler talking about Diego Gómez goal

  4. Fabian Hurzeler celebrating the win

  5. Goal of the season contender has Seagulls fans in dreamland

    Michael Emons
    BBC Sport journalist

    Brighton & Hove Albion's Diego Gomez's long range shot beats Crystal Palace's Walter Benitez Getty Images

    This victory continued a superb start to the season for Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton.

    The Seagulls had drawn one and lost three of their past four matches against the Eagles, but this result was wrapped up inside the opening 10 minutes.

    In-form midfielder Pascal Gross swung in a free-kick from the left wing and Jaydee Canvot headed into his own net at the near post to give the hosts a dream start.

    Diego Gomez then produced his moment of magic, which left team-mates, supporters and pundits stunned.

    "It's an amazing goal," said Match of the Day pundit Shay Given, a former Newcastle goalkeeper. "It was reminiscent of David Beckham [for Manchester United versus Wimbledon in 1996].

    "I don't even blame Walter Benitez the goalkeeper. We're always talking about sweeper goalkeepers and you've got to be high up for the through ball and the defence playing a high line. I think his position was fine.

    "You've just got to take your hat off to Gomez. That is just a brilliant, brilliant goal."

    Meanwhile, former Premier League striker Efan Ekoku, part of the commentary team on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra called the strike "the goal of the season so far".

    Brighton fans were in ecstasy again shortly after with Yasin Ayari making it 3-0. It was the earliest a side had scored three goals in a Premier League game since Newcastle in their 6-1 win over Tottenham in April 2023.

    Fabian Hurzeler's side have been hugely entertaining this season and second-half goals from Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood took the team's tally to nine goals in four days – this win following on from putting four past Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris in the Conference League on Thursday.

    Brighton are the top scorers in the Premier League, and this was another hugely impressive result after already beating Aston Villa 4-0, reigning champions Arsenal 3-0 and 5-0 away at Coventry City.

    It was also their biggest win over Crystal Palace since a 5-0 success on 14 January, 1956. That victory came when both sides were in the old Division Three South.

  6. Brighton 5-0 Crystal Palace - send us your thoughts

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    Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

    Have your say on Brighton's performance

    What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

    Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

  7. Sergio Gomez celebrates his goal from the halfway line

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  9. Khadija Shaw celebrates scoring with Lauren Hemp

  10. Follow Sunday's Premier League games live

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    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.

    There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

    Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated.

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

    How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

    You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Arsenal" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Brighton match", for example.

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    New this season: Live match updates

    Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

    Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

    Find out more here

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    New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

    Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

    Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

    Read more about it here

    You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

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  11. Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Crystal Palace

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    I am not quite sure how Crystal Palace beat Nottingham Forest last week, because Forest had some incredible chances.

    I don't see the Eagles getting anything here, though, because Brighton are absolutely flying at the moment.

    The Seagulls showed great resilience to hold on at 1-0 with 10 men in their win against Sunderland last week and ended up scoring a second goal right at the end too.

    Again, both teams play in Europe on Thursday so they will have to find the right balance with their team selections - but I don't see it affecting Brighton any more than it will Palace.

    Sutton's prediction: 2-1

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

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  16. Brighton v Crystal Palace: Key stats and talking points

    Tom McCoy
    BBC Sport journalist

    BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 BST), as Brighton host Crystal Palace seeking a record-equalling fourth consecutive Premier League win.

    Seagulls soaring on all fronts

    There is simply no stopping Brighton right now. Thursday's 4-0 win over Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris was their fifth consecutive victory, with the Seagulls scoring 17 goals and conceding just two during that run.

    Not even a controversial red card for defender Pascal Struijk, subsequently rescinded, could derail them at Sunderland last weekend. Albion played the final half-hour on Wearside with 10 men but still secured a 2-0 victory, sealed by Jaouen Hadjam's stoppage-time strike.

    They are now on the cusp of equalling a club record by winning four consecutive Premier League games and can do so without conceding a goal for the first time.

    Third-placed Brighton have made a habit of starting strongly in recent years. This is the fourth time in six seasons they have collected at least 13 points at this stage of a campaign, with only Arsenal and Manchester City having done so more often.

    The challenge for boss Fabian Hurzeler is to maintain that momentum while managing the additional demands of the Conference League. It may help that opponents Crystal Palace were also in European action on Thursday and, unlike the Seagulls, played away.

    Squad depth could prove crucial in the coming months, and Jack Hinshelwood's midweek return from injury, coupled with Georginio Rutter's brace, provided an encouraging reminder of the resources at Hurzeler's disposal.

    Bar chart titled comparing Brighton’s goals scored and points after six Premier League games in each season from 2021-22 to 2026-27. This is the fourth time in six years the Seagulls have 13 points or more at this stage

    Defensive issues persist for Palace

    Crystal Palace claimed their first Premier League home win under Pierre Sage last weekend and are now seeking back-to-back top-flight victories for the first time since December 2025.

    The Eagles rode their luck against Nottingham Forest, allowing their opponents eight opportunities that Opta defines as "big chances". It was only the second time in 13 years that a Premier League side had conceded so many clear-cut openings and still won.

    Sage acknowledged that goalkeeper Walter Benitez had kept Palace in the game with several important saves. "I have to congratulate him because when you play as number two, it's always difficult," he said.

    The Argentine, who is deputising for the injured Dean Henderson, could not prevent his side from losing 3-2 to Lyon on Thursday and is likely to be kept busy again at Amex Stadium.

    Palace have faced 108 shots with a combined expected goals value of 12.8, both Premier League highs after six matches.

    Bar chart showing that Crystal Palace have faced the most shots and recorded the highest expected goals against in the Premier League after six games in 2026-27, with 108 shots faced and 12.81 expected goals against

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  18. 'Give up or keep pushing harder' - Hurzeler's defiance pays off

    Neil Johnston
    BBC Sport journalist

    Fabian Hurzeler, manager of Brighton and Hove Albion, celebrates after winningGetty Images

    When Brighton lost at home to Crystal Palace in February, Fabian Hurzeler was booed by his own supporters and subjected to chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning".

    "There are only two options," said the German after the 1-0 defeat by their fierce rivals left his team floundering 14th in the table with one win in 12 Premier League matches.

    "Give up or keep pushing harder, and that's always the option I choose in my life."

    Eight months on, Brighton are reaping the benefits of keeping faith with the man who became the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history when he was appointed in June 2024 at the age of 31.

    Palace return to Amex Stadium on Sunday (14:00 BST kick-off) to face opponents who are third in the table after statement wins over defending champions Arsenal and Europa League winners Aston Villa.

    Hurzeler's stock has rocketed after 11 wins in 18 top-flight games, a run that has propelled the Seagulls back into Europe and left fans - who shouted "you don't know what you're doing" at him just a few months ago - worried that he could be lured away.

    Following last Saturday's win at Sunderland, there was chat on the post-match phone-ins that Hurzeler, rewarded with a new long-term contract before the end of last season and given £150m to spend on signings in the summer, could be a prime target for a big club looking for a manager.

    Scott McCarthy, from the We Are Brighton fan site, said Hurzeler appeared to have lost the crowd to such a degree at one stage last season than even a few wins would not be enough to turn it around.

    "He looked like a manager who was out of ideas," McCarthy told BBC Sport.

    "Leaving the stadium after losing at home to Palace, the only conversation fans were having was: 'he has got to go'.

    "It's totally different now. It's worked out phenomenally."

    Will Brighton manage to keep hold of Hurzeler, who has gone from managing in Germany's fifth tier to reported interest from Manchester United?

    Read more about Hurzeler's rise here

    Table showing Brighton sitting sixth in the Premier League table since he joined the Seagulls

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