Brighton moved into fourth place in the Premier League after thrashing 10-man Coventry City 5-0 on Sunday, leaving Frank Lampard’s side rooted to the bottom of the table.
Charalampos Kostoulas opened the scoring in the 35th minute before Malick Yalcouye doubled Brighton’s advantage shortly after half-time.
Coventry’s afternoon worsened in the 53rd minute when striker Taiwo Awoniyi was sent off for violent conduct after catching Maxim De Cuyper in the face with his elbow.
Pascal Gross converted a penalty in the 70th minute after Bobby Thomas fouled Kostoulas, before Lewis Dunk produced the goal of the game with a spectacular long-range strike into the top corner.
Yasin Ayari completed Brighton’s emphatic victory in stoppage time as frustrated Coventry supporters began leaving the stadium well before the final whistle.
Coventry remain without a Premier League goal this season after losing their opening four matches without scoring.
Lampard’s side are also the only team yet to register a point in the league.
The Sky Blues returned to the Premier League this season after winning promotion from the Championship last term, ending a 25-year absence from the top flight.
“It’s a difficult scoreline and it’s not easy at home,” Lampard said.
“The first half was pretty good; we created some chances, and we had them under a lot of pressure. Then a mistake to make it 2-0, and the red card makes it very difficult.
“We have to take responsibility. We did some good stuff, then the game became very, very difficult for us. We have to keep working.”
Brighton recorded their second win of the season and their first since a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on the opening weekend.
The result lifted Fabian Hurzeler’s side into the top four.
“It’s important to stay humble and not take these things for granted,” Hurzeler said.
“Overall we are a team where a lot of players can score goals and that brings us a lot of flexibility which is good for a coach as well.”
Coventry started brightly, with Jay Dasilva picking out Jack Rudoni, whose cushioned volley forced a fine save from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Verbruggen was called into action again when he produced another impressive stop to deny Frank Onyeka’s volley.
Brighton took the lead when Kostoulas controlled Gross’s pass, moved between two Coventry defenders and fired past Carl Rushworth.
Yalcouye then raced clear of the defence to score Brighton’s second in the 51st minute.
Dunk added the fourth in the 83rd minute, curling a superb effort into the top corner from 25 yards before Ayari completed the scoring with a composed low finish in stoppage time.
