Brighton moved into the Premier League’s top four after thrashing 10-man Coventry City 5-0 on Sunday, leaving Frank Lampard’s side without a point or a goal after four matches.
The defeat extended Coventry’s difficult return to the top flight following their promotion from the Championship last season, which ended a 25-year absence from the Premier League.
Brighton took the lead in the 35th minute through teenage Greek striker Charalampos Kostoulas, who controlled Pascal Gross’s pass before firing past Carl Rushworth.
Malick Yalcouye doubled Brighton’s advantage six minutes after the restart, accelerating away from the Coventry defence before finishing clinically.
Coventry’s afternoon deteriorated further two minutes later when Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi was sent off for violent conduct after catching Maxim De Cuyper in the face with his elbow.
Brighton took advantage of the numerical advantage, with Gross converting a 70th-minute penalty after Bobby Thomas fouled Kostoulas.
Lewis Dunk added a spectacular fourth in the 83rd minute, curling an effort into the top corner from 25 yards.
Yasin Ayari completed the rout in stoppage time with a composed low finish past Rushworth.
Coventry are now the only Premier League side without a point this season and are still searching for their first league goal since returning to the division.
“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, meanwhile, secured their second victory of the campaign and their first since beating Aston Villa 4-0 on the opening weekend.
“It’s important to stay humble and not take these things for granted,” Brighton manager 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 fine save from Bart Verbruggen.
The Brighton goalkeeper made another important stop to deny Frank Onyeka after the midfielder flicked the ball up before unleashing a volley.
But Brighton gradually took control and punished Coventry’s defensive errors to complete a convincing victory.
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