Having teed up Marcos Senesi’s early opener, the defender’s fourth goal of the season, Unal sent a bullet header into the top-left corner after the break to double Bournemouth’s advantage in this south coast derby.

The introduction of Julio Enciso from the bench in the second half saw Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton enjoy more spark in the final third, but the result was put beyond all doubt when Justin Kluivert slammed home late on.

Tenth-placed Bournemouth is now four points clear of Brighton and with Chelsea above it, with its hopes of European football still intact.

The Cherries started brightly, with Unal bursting down the right-hand side before looking to find fellow centre-forward Dominic Solanke, but a goal-saving challenge from Lewis Dunk prevented a certain opener.

Bournemouth kept up the pressure and opened the scoring after just 13 minutes as Senesi pounced in the box from a corner to nod home from just a few yards out after Unal had won the flick-on at the near post.

Brighton grew into it after going behind and had an excellent chance to find an equaliser as Facundo Buonanotte danced through the challenges of the opposition defence inside the box, only to fail to beat Mark Travers.

Andoni Iraola’s side should have made it two after Alex Scott dispossessed Igor Julio before pulling it back to Unal, but the Turkish striker dragged his effort wide from just inside the penalty area.

Just a few minutes after the break, the Cherries could have doubled their lead as Kluivert burst into the box with Antoine Semenyo waiting unmarked at the back post, but the Dutch forward opted to shoot from a tight angle and could only find the side netting.

Their second did arrive in the 52nd minute, Unal marking his first league start in style when he powered in a header after meeting Dango Ouattara’s floated cross to the back post.

Enciso twice went close as Brighton searched for a way back into the contest, striking off target from the edge of the box before sending a stunning attempt just wide.

Kluivert added further gloss to Bournemouth’s victory, however, driving in from the right and lashing in with his left foot to wrap up a comprehensive triumph.

The Cherries have now extended their unbeaten run at home to six games in the Premier League, with Vitality Stadium becoming a bit of a fortress in recent months.

Bournemouth has now achieved its record points tally in the Premier League (48), and is in with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe, with Andoni Iraola’s men moving back into the top half of table, just six points behind Manchester United in sixth.

Brighton, meanwhiel, has secured just two points from a possible 21 available from its previous seven fixtures, and a second season in Europe looks unlikely from here.