Brighton beat QPR to start New Year in top spot
Brighton beat a 10-man Queens Park Rangers to overtake Newcastle at the top of the table thanks to goals from Sam Baldock, Glen Murray and Anthony Knockaert.
The Seagulls moved one step closer to securing their first ever promotion to the Premier League thanks to a comfortable victory over strugglers Queens Park Rangers.
Brighton took the lead after 11 minutes when striker Sam Baldock found the top corner with a beautifully struck left-footed shot from oustide of the area.
QPR came close to equalising when Massimo Luongo forced a good save from David Stockdale from close range.
However, Luongo was then at fault as Brighton doubled their lead. The midfielder lunged in on Brighton's Dale Stephens inside the penalty area, leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot. Glenn Murray stepped up and slotted the ball past Alex Smithies from the penalty spot.
Things went from bad to worse for QPR when defender and captain Nedum Onuoha was dubiously sent off after his coming together with Baldock was deemed as a foul and the prevention of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Chris Hughton's side then rounded off the victory when Anthony Knockaert fired a shot in at the near post which crept under Smithies' body. The Frenchman then paid a fitting tribute to his late father, kissing a photo of his dad, then holding it aloft.
Brighton are now two points ahead of promotion rivals Newcastle with 51 points from 23 games and hold an eight-point advantage over Reading in third place.