Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 West Bromwich Albion

Brighton recorded their first top-flight win for 34 years as two goals from Pascal Gross helped them to an emphatic victory over West Brom.

It was an exemplary attacking display against a side who had only conceded one league goal in their first three matches this season.

Gross scored the opener just before the break when he converted Solly March's cross from close range. Three minutes after the restart the 26-year-old made it 2-0 when he drove forward before sending a tame strike past the reach of Ben Foster.

And Hemed, who fed the pass for Gross' second, then had the favour repaid when he headed in an inch-perfect cross from the German.

West Brom rallied in the closing moments and broke Brighton's resistance when substitute James Morrison squeezed his shot past defender Shane Duffy on the line.

• Relive the action from the Amex Stadium

Brighton end long wait for goal

Dealing with the basics first is of paramount importance to Seagulls boss Chris Hughton.

Against the Baggies, his side nullified the right-wing threat of Matt Phillips while his centre-backs easily dealt with balls played up to the anonymous Salomon Rondon in attack.

They then set about trying to expose a usually water-tight West Brom defence. It looked like it would be a stalemate at the break before Gross - a summer signing from German second division side Ingolstadt - managed to guide a shot past a crowd for the home side's first goal of the campaign.

Gross would have been long odds to score and a ridiculous price to score two, but he managed that feat shortly after the break when he ran towards goal before shooting past Foster. The 34-year-old keeper should have done better.

The previously goal-starved Brighton fans were then treated to a third as Hemed, who valiantly held the line in attack, got in front of Jonny Evans to convert the former Germany youth midfielder's delivery.

The Baggies lacking bite

The perennial problem for West Brom is scoring - it is now only eight goals in their past 13 league games.

Rondon was once again poor with no efforts and a 41.2% passing accuracy, which is not ideal if your role is to bring others into play.

Manager Tony Pulis might have been encouraged with the cameos of new signings Kieran Gibbs and Oliver Burke. They came on in the second half and played a big part in the solitary Baggies goal.

Full-back Gibbs crossed to the far post for Burke who then nodded back across goal for another substitute Morrison to fire in - although defender Shane Duffy did his best to stop the shot with his hand.

Scotland international Morrison was close to grabbing a second, but saw his shot blocked by the alert Australia keeper Mat Ryan.

'This was disappointing' - reaction

Brighton boss Chris Hughton: "I think we thoroughly deserved it. The scoreline reflected the game. They were always going to put us under pressure.

"There were some really good performances. We're feeling a lot better now after our first win but we need to take this one forward.

"It's a good platform to build on but we are very conscious of how difficult this division is."

West Brom manager Tony Pulis: "You have to give Brighton credit. I'm not pleased with the way we played during certain stages of the game.

"If you're not at all in stages of the game, you will get beaten. It's disappointing."

"We conceded three poor goals. We had a lot of possession to have created more too.

"Everybody has to deal with the international break but some of our players turned up on Thursday afternoon and they looked like it."

Man of the match - Pascal Gross (Brighton)

Shot-happy Brighton - the stats

• Gross' 45th-minute opener was Brighton's first in the Premier League, and first in the top-flight since May 1983 when Gordon Smith scored against Norwich.
• Brighton had as many shots on target in this game (six) as they had in their first three Premier League games combined.
• This was Pulis' first away defeat at a newly promoted club in the Premier League since his Stoke side lost 1-2 at QPR in May 2012. He had previously gone 11 games in a row unbeaten against newly promoted opposition.
• Hemed is the first Israeli player to score a Premier League goal since Itay Schecter for Swansea against Wigan in May 2013.
• Morrison's goal was his 29th in the Premier League for the Baggies, putting him just one behind their all-time top scorer in the competition (Peter Odemwingie, 30).
• West Brom recorded over 50% possession for just the 10th time in their 98 Premier League games under Pulis (W4 D0 L6).

What's next?

Brighton are away at fellow south coast club Bournemouth next Friday (20:00 BST) and West Brom are at home to West Ham next Saturday (15:00 BST).