Brighton thrashed 10-man Coventry City 5-0 on Sunday to climb into fourth place in the Premier League and leave Frank Lampard’s side rooted to the bottom of the table.
Charalampos Kostoulas put Brighton ahead in the first half before Malick Yalcouyé doubled their advantage shortly after the interval.
Coventry’s afternoon went from bad to worse when striker Taiwo Awoniyi was sent off for violent conduct, allowing Brighton to take complete control.
Pascal Gross converted from the penalty spot before Lewis Dunk produced a spectacular long-range strike, with Yasin Ayari completing Brighton’s emphatic victory in stoppage time.
Frustrated Coventry supporters began streaming out of the stadium well before the final whistle as the promoted side endured another miserable afternoon.
Coventry are still searching for their first Premier League goal since returning to the top flight, having failed to score in each of their opening four matches of the season.
Lampard’s side remain the only Premier League team without a point this season.
The Sky Blues were promoted from the Championship last season, ending a 25-year absence from the Premier League.
“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 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, meanwhile, moved into the top four after recording their second victory of the season and their first since a 4-0 rout of Aston Villa on the opening weekend.
“It’s important to stay humble and not take these things for granted,” Brighton boss Fabian 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 threatened early on when Jay Dasilva picked out Jack Rudoni, whose cushioned volley forced a superb save from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Verbruggen was called into action again moments later, producing another impressive stop to keep out Frank Onyeka’s volley after the midfielder cleverly flicked the ball up for himself before shooting.
Brighton took the lead in the 35th minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Kostoulas.
The teenage Greek striker cleverly nodded Groß’s pass beyond two Coventry defenders before turning and drilling a fine finish past Carl Rushworth.
Yalcouyé doubled Brighton’s advantage in the 51st minute, accelerating away from the Coventry defence before calmly firing past Rushworth.
Two minutes later, Coventry’s misery deepened when Awoniyi was shown a red card for catching Maxim De Cuyper in the face with his elbow.
Brighton took full advantage of their numerical superiority and added a third in the 70th minute.
Bobby Thomas brought down Kostoulas inside the area to concede a penalty, which Groß dispatched with ease.
Dunk then produced the goal of the afternoon in the 83rd minute, curling a spectacular effort into the top corner from 25 yards.
Ayari completed Brighton’s rout in stoppage time, whipping a composed low strike beyond Rushworth to seal a comprehensive victory.
AFP
