Brighton oozed confidence as they trounced Everton 3-0 in Fabian Hürzeler's first match at the helm.
Despite a positive start to each half, the Toffees could not find many meaningful chances throughout the ninety. For the Seagulls, some initial anxiety melted away as soon Karou Mitoma tapped in the opening goal.
Danny Welbeck and Simon Adingra added two more in the second half to claim a first away league victory since February.
A strong display was partly aided by full-back Ashley Young being sent off for yanking down a through-on-goal Mitoma.
Swathes of disgruntled supporters left early as Everton began their final season at Goodison Park in dismal fashion. For the time being, Brighton sit atop the table while the Blues are bottom.
-
Story of the Match
It was familiar faces abound for the hosts, whose starting eleven only included one debutant in midfielder Tim Iroegbunam. The visitors, meanwhile, handed first starts to new boys Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer.
Sean Dyche's men started brightest, with their liveliness in possession soon translating into threatening moves.
Four minutes in, Jack Harrison lashed a shot in from the right, which was palmed away by Jason Steele. The resulting corner saw Michael Keane's header land at Harrison's feet. The winger tapped home, but it was quickly ruled out for offside.
A quick counter led by Abdoulaye Doucoure was also flagged as they looked to make good of their early eagerness.
Brighton's first opening came through Joao Pedro's sharp effort from outside the area, which was forced onto the post by Jordan Pickford. Minteh showed flashes of quality wing play, with most of their attacks being via the Gambia international.
Hürzeler's side seemed slightly tense as they were not able to control the ball as much as they would like. Jan Paul van Hecke's sloppy giveaway gifted Iroegbunam a chance for a dream debut goal
However, there were increasing opportunities out wide, particularly down the right as Minteh caused constant trouble for Vitalii Mykolenko.
And like a gull on some seaside fish and chips, they pounced on this weakness. Minteh was once again the catalyst as he surged down the right to arrow in a cross for Karou Mitoma. The Japan international slotted in his welcome return to the lineup.
Brighton were much more assured after breaking the deadlock and were able to string more passing moves together in the final third.
The Toffees attempted to regain their initial buoyancy, with Harrison leading the charge for an equaliser. Their rhythm was broken on the cusp of half-time as a clash between Mykolenko and Minteh forced Brighton's goal-maker off the pitch following an impressive first forty-five. Simon Adingra took his place.
In the second half, it was another fast start from the home team. Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down in the box after being clipped by Lewis Dunk.
Referee Simon Hooper initially awarded a penalty, but he soon overruled the decision after he watched a VAR-insisted replay. The contact was seen as too light for a spot-kick.
Everton kept their hunger for a leveller, but clear-cut chances were difficult to come by. The same could not be said of the Seagulls.
Their first opportunity after the interval saw Danny Welbeck take up the ball around thirty yards out. With acres of space afforded to him, the former England international simply glided to the edge of the box and slid it into the corner to double his side's lead.
Past the hour mark, Brighton grew in confidence again, harrying the Blues' backline and passing around their own back four with the security they were striving for from the offset.
66 minutes in, Mitoma looked to latch onto a ball over the top. Already beaten for pace, veteran defender Ashley Young could only pull him to the ground. The 39-year-old was shown a straight red card.
Rather than going all out to compound their extra player advantage, the away side continued to implement their possession-happy play style, with the odd chance coming from the likes of Pedro, Mitoma and Adingra.
The Ivory Coast winger capped a comfortable afternoon with a swift, devastating move. Welbeck laced a pass to the Ivorian, who drifted into the middle and curled in the third.
The 22-year-old also teed up Yasin Ayari during stoppage time, but the Swede was denied a first Albion goal as his knee was a whisker offside.
Brighton will host Manchester United next Saturday while Everton travel to Tottenham.
-
Player of the Match - Danny Welbeck
Scoring in his fifteenth consecutive Premier League season, Welbeck was instrumental in Brighton's attacking fortunes.
An unselfish first half saw the 33-year-old often dip into the middle of the park - something which was key in the creation of the opener.
In terms of goal-mouth action, Welbeck sprang into life in the second forty-five. His goal and assist emblematic of the calm grace he aired as one of the elders in the Seagulls' forward line.
