Hurzeler urges Brighton to 'stay humble' after emphatic win over Palace

Fabian Hurzeler has implored his Brighton players to "stay humble" after they thumped rivals Crystal Palace 5-0 to continue their excellent start in the Premier League. 

Brighton raced into a three-goal lead inside 10 minutes after an own-goal from Jaydee Canvot, a wonder-strike from Diego Gomez and Yasin Ayari's composed finish.

The Seagulls became the ninth side in Premier League history to score three goals in the first 10 minutes of a match, and first since Newcastle United against Tottenham in April 2023, and it only got better from there. 

Charalampos Kostoulas found the back of the net four minutes after the restart before Jack Hinshelwood added further gloss to the scoreline six minutes from time. 

The result saw Brighton extend their winning run in the Premier League to four matches, while also taking their goal tally to 23, their most ever at this stage of a campaign in the top four tiers. Incredibly, only Barcelona have scored more goals than the Seagulls across the top five leagues this term (39).

And when asked about his side's performance, Hurzeler said: "I am very happy for our supporters, our fans. They have waited long enough for this feeling, beating our rivals.

"We had another good performance, another clean sheet which was important, and I am happy for the boys.

"Although it is important to celebrate the goal and the win, there is room for improvement. We have to stay humble and understand why we are where we are at the moment."

The contest was best known for Gomez's halfway finish with the strike already being touted as an early goal of the season contender.

Gomez's stunner was from 51 metres, the furthest range Premier League goal since Wayne Rooney for Everton v West Ham in November 2017 (58 metres).

But for Palace boss Pierre Sage, it was a day to forget after his team registered five shots in this game, their lowest total in a single match in the Premier League this season.

The Eagles have now lost their fourth league game of the season and currently sit 14th, two points ahead of 18th-placed Fulham.

Palace have also now conceded 17 goals across their opening seven Premier League matches, with the Eagles last letting in more at this stage of a season in the top four tiers in 1980-81 (21).

When asked about his feelings after the contest, Sage said, "Only one feeling – shame. When you play this kind of game you have to show another face. It was our worst face.

"We cannot accept that, especially at the beginning of the game. We didn't fight at that moment. Once it was 3-0 after nine minutes, the game was really different.

"It's my fault because I am the coach, I gave the angle to the players. I gave the motivation. I prepare the situations. We played so badly. It's my fault."