Brighton and Hove Albion moved up to second in the Premier League after overwhelming Crystal Palace 5-0 at the Amex Stadium to register their largest-ever win against their rivals.
The hosts took control inside the opening 10 minutes, scoring three times to leave Palace facing an uphill task almost immediately.
Brighton went ahead in the fourth minute when Jaydee Canvot turned the ball into his own net. Diego Gomez then produced the outstanding moment of the match, doubling the advantage with an audacious strike from close to the halfway line.
Gomez took advantage of a Palace mistake and noticed goalkeeper Walter Benitez had come off his line. He lifted his attempt over the stranded keeper and into the net from long range.
Brighton added a third soon afterwards. A slick attacking move ended with Charalampos Kostoulas using a backheel to create the opening for Yasin Ayari, who made no mistake with the finish.
Fabian Hurzeler’s team dominated possession before the interval and repeatedly prevented Palace from playing out from the back. They reached half-time with a 3-0 lead and appeared firmly in control.
The pattern continued after the restart, with Kostoulas scoring Brighton’s fourth in the 53rd minute. The goal was checked by VAR for possible handball and offside, but the decision was eventually confirmed.
Palace had a chance to pull one back when Eddie Nketiah supplied Jean-Philippe Mateta, but the forward’s close-range effort struck the crossbar.
Brighton completed the scoring two minutes from time. Benitez saved a header from Luka Vuskovic, but Jack Hinshelwood reacted quickest to the rebound and finished from close range.
The result was Brighton’s sixth consecutive victory and lifted them into second place in the Premier League, at least temporarily.
Hurzeler’s side used an aggressive counter-pressing game to restrict Palace’s attacking options while creating a succession of chances of their own. The visitors’ best opportunity late on came from a corner, but Jefferson Lerma headed narrowly wide.
Palace were left to assess a difficult afternoon after conceding three goals during the first 10 minutes, while Brighton celebrated a record scoreline in the derby.