LONDON: Brighton ran out 3-2 winners against high-flying Ipswich in an entertaining encounter at Portman Road on Saturday to leapfrog their opponents at the top of the Championship.
The visitors raced into a 2-0 lead after just 12 minutes thanks to goals from winger Kazenga LuaLua and Israel striker Tomer Hemed.
Ipswich clawed their way back into the game through a goal from prolific forward Freddie Sears and a 64th minute penalty from strike partner David McGoldrick.
The home team were only level for three minutes, though, as Hemed headed LuaLua's deflected cross past home goalkeeper Dean Gerken to give his team a three-point cushion at the top of the league.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton dedicated the win to Matt Grimstone, a member of the club's ground staff, and supporter Jacob Schilt, who both lost their lives in last week's air show disaster at nearby Shoreham.
"The club has done an incredible job in helping the local police and everyone wanted to do well for Matt and Jacob," he said.
"It was a super game and a very good spectacle for the Championship."
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy paid tribute to Hughton's players, saying "Brighton are a very good side, they started well and were the better team."
Hull capitalised on Ipswich's defeat by beating Preston 2-0 at the KC Stadium to move into second place.
Abel Hernandez opened the scoring in fortuitous circumstances, getting in the way of defender Neil Kilkenny's clearance and sending the ball beyond Preston stopper Jordan Pickford.
Hull manager Steve Bruce backed his Uruguayan striker to become a key player this season following his £10 million ($15.4 million, 13.7 million) transfer last year.
"You can see he's handling life better and getting used to it," he said. "I'm still convinced we've got a very good player on our hands."
Defender Curtis Davies made sure of the points, volleying in a corner eight minutes from time.
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