Brighton & Hove Albion moved to within two points of Championship leaders Burnley thanks to their 4-0 victory over Leeds United this evening.
All of the home side's goals were scored before the break at the Amex Stadium, where visiting Leeds saw their poor run of form extended to just one victory in the last seven league outings to leave them looking nervously over their shoulder as the season enters the home straight.
After a relatively tentative opening to proceedings, the game burst into life in the 18th minute when Leeds defender Scott Wootton upended Liam Rosenior inside the area. The responsibility from 12 yards was handed to Tomer Hemed and the Israeli made no mistake.
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Sensing that Leeds were vulnerable, Chris Hughton's hosts continued to pour forward and within four minutes the advantage was doubled. Striker Sam Baldock was initially credited with the goal, but replays showed that the ball had only entered the net thanks to a clear deflection off Leeds defender Liam Cooper.
Two then became three with 28 minutes on the clock has Hemed helped himself to his 11th goal of the campaign and his fifth in his last five starts. On this occasion the frontman capitalised on some slack Leeds defending to slot the ball out of Marco Silvestri's reach and inside the far post.
There was to be no let-up from the Seagulls, who went on to add a fourth goal in the 38th minute. Centre-back Lewis Dunk had not scored since February of last year, but he rose above Sol Bamba to power in Dale Stephens's corner from the left.
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With the outcome decided, the second half had a real pedestrian feel about it. Brighton, safe in the knowledge that the three points were secure, took their foot off the gas, while Leeds looked content to avoid further humiliation.
It was actually Steve Evans's visitors that had the best opportunity to breathe new life into the contest when Alex Mowatt raced through in the 56th minute, only to then shoot wildly over the crossbar.
Brighton remain in fourth position despite having bridged the gap to Burnley, with Leeds now just nine points above the bottom three.
Liam Apicella
