Three early goals removed Palace’s route into the match
Palace began with a compact shape, but Brighton moved the ball quickly enough to attack before that shape was set. Jaydee Canvot’s own goal opened the scoring. Diego Gomez then struck from 51.3 metres, the longest-range Premier League goal since Wayne Rooney scored for Everton against West Ham nine years earlier.
Yasin Ayari completed the opening burst. Brighton did not need a long spell of pressure for each goal. They won the ball, looked forward immediately and placed runners on both sides of the Palace defence. The visitors had no time to slow the match or rebuild confidence after the first setback.
Kostoulas turned a strong display into a complete one
Charalampos Kostoulas scored Brighton’s fourth goal and then created the fifth for Jack Hinshelwood. The teenager now has three goals and two assists in the league this season. Among teenagers in Europe’s five largest leagues, only Lamine Yamal has more goal involvements.
The contribution mattered because it came after the result was nearly settled. Brighton continued to make direct runs instead of keeping possession without purpose. Palace could not move higher up the pitch because every lost pass left another race towards their own penalty area.
The numbers support Brighton’s Champions League aim
Brighton have scored 23 goals in their first seven league matches. Only three teams in Premier League history have recorded more at the same stage. This was already their fourth league win of the season by at least three goals, so the derby score was part of a wider attacking pattern.
Harder tests follow away to Liverpool and Manchester City. Brighton’s challenge is to keep the same speed while accepting that those opponents will offer fewer loose passes. Palace need a calmer response after conceding: the first goal hurt them, but the next two arrived because their distances and decisions broke down at the same time.