'I fancy this' - Wayne Rooney gives Diego Gomez and Brighton verdict after wonder goal against Crystal Palace

Brighton's Diego Gomez brought memories of David Beckham and Wayne Rooney flooding back after his goal from the halfway line against Crystal Palace.

Gomez, 21, received a pass from Olivier Boscagli, took a quick look up and pinged a fantastic effort that whistled beyond Palace's stunned goalkeeper Walter Benitez and into the net.

Brighton went on to beat their old rivals 5-0, with Gomez scooping the man of the match award.

It was the longest strike in the Premier League since Rooney's 58-metre goal for Everton against West Ham in November 2017.

It also brought comparisons to Beckham's long range strike for Manchester United against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park in 1996.

Rooney: What a goal

Rooney said: "Somebody reminded me it was the longest goal in the Premier League since mine against West Ham.

"But what a goal. People will talk about the distance, 51 metres, and of course that’s incredible.

"For me, it’s the decision he makes before he hits it.

"You have to look up. You have to see where the goalkeeper is. And then, in a split second, you have to believe you can put the ball over him from that far away.

"Most players see the keeper off his line and still play a five-yard pass. It’s the sensible thing to do. Diego looked at the same situation and thought, ‘No, I fancy this.’

"And it’s not just a hopeful kick. Watch how cleanly he strikes it.

"What I loved was the reaction of his teammates. You can see players almost struggling to believe what they’ve just watched."

Rooney added: "People are already calling it goal of the season. I wouldn’t argue with them. But someone is going to have to do something very special to beat that.

Gomez has a hammer foot

Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk was behind Gomez and had the perfect view as the ball left the Paraguayan's boot and fizzed through the air.

"He's got a hammer-foot," said Dunk to BBC Radio Five Live. "And as soon as it left his boot today I was right behind him and I knew it was in. Unbelievable goal. He's playing with a lot of confidence and he's showing it out there."

Gomez tried this at Sunderland

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to the press after the game, said: “I know how desperate he [Gomez] wants to get involved into scoring and to having an assist.

“I think last week he showed against Sunderland there was already that try from shooting from the middle line.

“There the wind wasn't perfectly for this try, now the wind I think was better for him. So really, really happy that he gets this reward for all the effort he's putting into the club, into his own development and into the team.”