Match ends, Bristol City 0, Brighton and Hove Albion 2.
Bristol CityBristol City0BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion2
Steve Sidwell scored with a stunning 50-yard lob as Brighton made it four straight Championship wins with victory at Bristol City.
The midfielder pounced on Korey Smith's mistake and beat Richard O'Donnell from inside the centre circle after spotting the City keeper off his line.
Jamie Murphy cut in from the left to then fire in a second for the Seagulls.
Jiri Skalak went close to a third for second-placed Brighton, who are now unbeaten in their last 10 league games.
The Seagulls remain three points behind Newcastle following their victory at Ashton Gate, but are now five points clear of third-placed Huddersfield, who drew with Birmingham City.
Bristol City, who slip out of the play-off places, started brightly and saw Lee Tomlin shoot wide early on.
But they struggled to recover from Sidwell's audacious effort from just inside the City half after he had seized on Smith's mis-control on half-way.
The 33-year-old's first goal since April also provided a poignant moment for Brighton as the entire team celebrated by holding up the shirt of team-mate Anthony Knockaert, who missed the game following the sudden death of his father.
Murphy's finish, with the help of a deflection, enabled Brighton to control the remainder of the game, although Bristol City had a penalty appeal tuned down near the end when Shane Duffy appeared to foul Aaron Wilbraham.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton: "The celebration after the first goal was for a very popular member of our squad in Anthony Knockaert and showed what the lads think of him.
"It was a wonderful strike by Sidwell on his left foot when I would have expected it more from his right. It caught everyone by surprise, including their goalkeeper.
"We had opportunities to score more goals, but what we did really well was limit them to very few clear chances."
Bristol City manager Lee Johnson: "I was frustrated by the opening goal. It was a great strike but I was disappointed with the way we were caught out by a square pass in midfield.
"Richard O'Donnell was probably too far off his line and couldn't keep his feet to deal with the shot.
"I have no doubt that Brighton will be promoted this season. They tick all the boxes and remind me of Hull last season."
Line-ups
Bristol City
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 12O'Donnell
- 2Little
- 4Flint
- 23Magnusson
- 13GolbourneSubstituted forWilbrahamat 62'minutes
- 6O'NeilBooked at 54mins
- 7SmithSubstituted forReidat 62'minutes
- 20Paterson
- 10Tomlin
- 3BryanSubstituted forO'Dowdaat 81'minutes
- 9Abraham
Substitutes
- 11O'Dowda
- 14Reid
- 16Engvall
- 17Moore
- 18Wilbraham
- 21Pack
- 29Lucic
Brighton
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Stockdale
- 2Bruno
- 22Duffy
- 5Dunk
- 3Bong
- 8SkalakSubstituted forMarchat 90+2'minutes
- 6Stephens
- 14Sidwell
- 15MurphyBooked at 90mins
- 17MurraySubstituted forHemedat 78'minutes
- 9BaldockSubstituted forNorwoodat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Mäenpää
- 10Hemed
- 12Pocognoli
- 18Goldson
- 19Manu
- 20March
- 21Norwood
- Referee:
- Darren Bond
- Attendance:
- 19,096
Match Stats
Home TeamBristol CityAway TeamBrighton
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away2
- Corners
- Home4
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bristol City 0, Brighton and Hove Albion 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Gary O'Neil (Bristol City) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is high and wide to the right.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Solly March (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Booking
Jamie Murphy (Brighton and Hove Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Jamie Murphy (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Substitution
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Solly March replaces Jiri Skalak.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tammy Abraham (Bristol City) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Bobby Reid with a through ball.
Post update
Foul by Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City).
Post update
Jiri Skalak (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Aaron Wilbraham (Bristol City).
Post update
Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jamie Paterson (Bristol City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Aaron Wilbraham with a headed pass.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tomer Hemed (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Oliver Norwood.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Bobby Reid (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum O'Dowda.
Post update
Offside, Brighton and Hove Albion. Oliver Norwood tries a through ball, but Jiri Skalak is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol City. Callum O'Dowda replaces Joe Bryan.
Post update
Offside, Bristol City. Jamie Paterson tries a through ball, but Aaron Wilbraham is caught offside.
