Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams and Jota Silva were also on target after Lewis Dunk's own goal opened the scoring in an astonishing performance from Nuno Espirito Santo's men as they bounced back from a 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend.

Victory takes Forest level on points with second-placed Arsenal and opens up a seven-point cushion on sixth-placed Chelsea.

Fifth place in the Premier League this season is almost certain to be enough for Champions League qualification due to a strong start by English clubs in European competitions.

Two-time European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980 during the club's heyday under Brian Clough, Forest last played in Europe back in 1996.

But a run of 10 wins from their last 12 games has put them well on course to end that two-decade wait for continental competition.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler set out with a bold selection that included five forwards in his starting 11.

However, that backfired massively as the Seagulls were wide open and punished by Forest's frightening pace and precision going forward.

Dunk gave the hosts a helping hand they did not need after just 12 minutes as he turned Gibbs-White's dangerous low cross into his own net.

On his 100th Forest appearance, Gibbs-White then rose highest to power in a header from Anthony Elanga's corner.

Manchester United will wonder about what they let go in Elanga as the Swedish international cut Brighton open at will down Forest's right side.

His pinpoint cross on the half hour mark left Wood with the simple task to head in his 15th Premier League goal of the season to set his own personal best ever tally for a season in the English top flight.

Two more were to come for the New Zealander, who is enjoying the best spell of his career at 33, after the break.

Elanga was again the creator for the fourth as he dashed towards the by-line and squared for Wood to tap in from point-blank range.

Gibbs-White was then man-handled to the floor by Tariq Lamptey from a corner, allowing Wood the chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

Wood is now closing in on Stan Collymore's record of 24 goals as Forest's top scorer for a single season in the Premier League era.

Brighton remain in ninth after a damaging day for their own European ambitions.

After a bright start to Hurzeler's reign, the 31-year-old has won just two of his last 11 league games.

It went from bad to worse for the visitors in the closing stages as Williams smashed in from close range.

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen compounded a miserable day for his side in stoppage time as his pass was intercepted by Jota Silva, who surged forward and fired past the Dutch international.