Goal from halfway line helps surprise package Brighton win 5-0

AP:

A breathtaking 50-metre strike stood out among the five goals scored by Brighton in the latest big win from this season’s surprise package in the Premier League.

As for Arsenal, the defending champions just needed one goal – a late one from substitute Noni Madueke – to see off Nottingham Forest yesterday.

Manchester United ended a turbulent week by scrapping out a 1-1 draw at fierce rivals Leeds.

GOMEZ SCORES FROM HALFWAY LINE

Evoking memories of David Beckham’s famous goal from the halfway line for Man United 30 years ago, Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez boldly launched a shot from just inside Crystal Palace’s half and the ball flew over stranded Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez into the net for an instant goal-of-the-season contender in England’s top division.

It was the second of three goals in the opening 10 minutes for Brighton, who swept to a 5-0 win over Palace and another statement victory in a campaign that has already seen the south coast team overwhelm Arsenal 3-0.

As well as an own goal, Brighton also had goals from Yasin Ayari, Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood at Amex Stadium and moved up to third place with the win.

Only three teams – Arsenal (2009-10), Man United (2011-12) and Manchester City (2019-20) – in Premier League history have scored more after seven matches than Brighton’s 23 goals, according to stat supplier Opta.

It was the worst possible result for Palace manager Pierre Sage, who was under pressure even before a heavy loss to his club’s biggest rivals.

The Frenchman apologised to fans and said he didn’t know if he’d be given time to turn things around after two wins in seven matches.

Unlike Brighton, goals aren’t proving so easily to come by for Arsenal, who have 11 from seven games at the start of their title defence.

Madueke was the match-winner for the defending champions after coming on as a half-time substitute, with the England winger cutting inside in the 80th minute and sending in a shot that deflected past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

That was Arsenal’s only shot on target in the entire match.

Arsenal moved back into second place, three points behind Manchester City in a title race that is clouded in controversy now that City has been found guilty of large-scale financial breaches that are set to result in severe sanctions should the team lose its appeal.

Four days after his headline-grabbing outburst following a Champions League loss, Lisandro Martinez started for Man United at Elland Road but was substituted at half-time – by which time his team was leading Leeds, thanks to Bryan Mbeumo’s 35th-minute strike.

Leeds equalised in the 51st through Dominic Calvert-Lewin, leaving Man United with just one win from their first seven league games this season – the fewest by this stage for the club in 40 years – and just two victories from 10 games in all competitions.