Diego Gómez scores from 51 metres for the Premier League’s longest goal since Rooney

A spectacular Diego Gómez goal from 51.3 metres lit up Brighton’s 5-0 win over Crystal Palace and delivered the Premier League’s longest-range finish in almost nine years.

The Paraguay international spotted Walter Benítez off his line and struck from near halfway in the seventh minute, sending the ball over the retreating goalkeeper.

It was the outstanding moment of Brighton’s emphatic derby victory, and the numbers underline just how unusual it was.

How far out was the Diego Gómez goal?

According to Opta’s analysis of Brighton’s win, Gómez scored from 51.3 metres.

That makes it the eighth-longest Premier League goal since the start of the 2006-07 season and the furthest since Wayne Rooney’s 57.7-metre effort for Everton against West Ham in November 2017.

Gómez had attempted shots from beyond 50 metres before, but this was his first Premier League goal from that distance.

“When I scored, I didn’t know where to run or what to do. I was very happy with the goal,” he told Sky Sports, as reported by Reuters.

Brighton’s remarkable scoring run continues

Gómez’s strike came between Jaydee Canvot’s own goal and Yasin Ayari’s finish as Brighton became the ninth side in Premier League history to score three times inside the opening 10 minutes.

Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood completed the scoring after half-time.

Fabian Hürzeler’s side have won their last four league games by an aggregate score of 15-0. Gómez also earned a nine in our Brighton player ratings, sharing top billing with Kostoulas after an afternoon their supporters will savour.