Crystal Palace endured a hugely disappointing afternoon at Brighton, suffering a 5-0 defeat in a one-sided M23 derby that was effectively decided during the opening stages.
Brighton raced into a three-goal lead inside 10 minutes. Jaydee Canvot turned Pascal Gross' delivery into his own net for the opener, before Diego Gomez produced the game's standout moment by scoring from around the halfway line. Yasin Ayari then added a third as Palace struggled to cope with the hosts' intensity and quality.
Palace were unable to mount a meaningful recovery after the interval. Brighton extended their advantage just three minutes into the second half, with Charalampos Kostoulas finishing an attacking move involving Gross. The goal was reviewed for a possible handball but was allowed to stand.
Jean-Philippe Mateta struck the crossbar as Palace searched for a response, but Brighton remained in control. Substitute Jack Hinshelwood completed the scoring late in the match, adding a fifth goal to cap a miserable derby outing for Oliver Glasner's side.
The result leaves Brighton with 16 points from their first seven Premier League matches and represents a dramatic change in fortunes for Fabian Hurzeler. The Brighton head coach had been booed after a 1-0 home defeat by Palace in the corresponding fixture last season, but his side were emphatic winners this time as Palace suffered one of their heaviest setbacks of the campaign.
