Crystal Palace were beaten 5-0 by Brighton, with the hosts describing the victory as one of their strongest performances of the season so far.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said he was delighted to give the home supporters a memorable night, while also crediting his players for maintaining their intensity and winning individual battles. He highlighted the importance of handling the basics well, including second balls and set-pieces, as Brighton moved through the match with confidence.
Hurzeler also singled out Diego Gomez’s spectacular long-range goal. The Brighton boss said the finish reflected Gomez’s awareness of the goalkeeper and his ability to act quickly, although he warned that the team still had areas to improve despite the emphatic result.
The Brighton manager urged his players to remain humble after just six games, insisting they must continue working rather than become satisfied with their current form. Defender Lewis Dunk delivered a similarly positive assessment, saying Brighton had been the better side from the opening minute to the final whistle and praising the team’s intensity and passion.
Dunk added that he immediately believed Gomez’s effort was heading into the net once it left the midfielder’s foot. The result leaves Palace reflecting on a heavy derby defeat, while Brighton continue to attract attention for their attacking output and strong start to the campaign.
