The Seagulls dominated the early exchanges and eventually took the lead midway through the first half with a delicately clipped finish by Joao Pedro after the Brazilian was put through on goal.

This dominance continued after half-time, and they doubled their advantage early in the second half as Georginio Rutter finished from close range after good work by Yankuba Minteh down the right.

Kaoru Mitoma added a third for the away side before Jack Hinshelwood rounded things off with a driven finish on another day to forget for the Saints.

Brighton moved up to eighth on the table, a point clear of Fulham while Southampton remains rooted to the bottom of the table and 13 points adrift of safety.