Danny Welbeck’s sixth goal in five league games and a brace from Diego Gomez secured a return to winning ways for Fabian Hurzeler’s team.
It was just what the doctor ordered after back-to-back defeats against Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League and Carabao Cup respectively.
It was Brighton’s first clean sheet of the season and their first in 22 league matches.
Welbeck got the party started with a goal from close range after 11 minutes. The veteran striker, who can’t stop scoring, was set up by Mats Wieffer after some lovely work by Yankuba Minteh.
Minteh nearly made it two for the Seagulls after a fast counter attack but the Gambian wide man’s shot went just wide after he waited for the perfect time to shoot.
Leeds – who were second best for most of the afternoon – did threaten the Brighton goal at times. The visitors nearly equalised on stroke of half-time through Sean Longstaff.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin also went close after the break.
But Brighton were quickly back on top and got that all-important second goal through Diego Gomez. The Paraguay international scored his first goal of the season on the 64th minute after more good work out wide by Minteh.
It was then Georginio’s turn to put the ball on a plate for Gomez after a classy run just six minutes later.
The Seagulls were soaring at this point and, if it wasn’t for Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri, the hosts could have had five or six.
The Brazilian keeper denied Gomez a hat-trick and somehow kept out Yasin Ayari’s powerful drive.
Opposite number one Bart Verbruggen – who didn’t have a huge amount to do all afternoon – was alert to make two quickfire saves as Leeds tried to find a consolation goal.
Here are our player ratings for Brighton and Hove Albion:
5. Lewis Dunk (c) – 7
The captain will no doubt be delighted with the clean sheet. Solid at the back. Earned applause for a couple of sliding challenges. Photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
6. Ferdi Kadıoğlu – 7
Eighth start in a row since coming on a substitute after 24 minutes at Bournemouth back in mid-September. He’s made himself undroppable in this Brighton side. Started to make himself a nuisance going forward and was effective defensively. Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
7. Yasin Ayari – 7
Kept things simple and this was much for like it from the Swedish midfielder, who struggled at Old Trafford. Acres of space to run into but his shot was tame and easy for the keeper to keep hold of. Nice effort after Brighton corner – couldn’t quite keep his shot down and on target. Unlucky not to score as Brighton searched for a fourth. Photo: Richard Pelham / Getty Images
8. Carlos Baleba – 6
Some signs of improvement – with some great interceptions – but still way off his best. Some misplaced passes did not prove costly. Slipped and lost the ball in the middle of the park. Gifted away a corner after making a mess of an attempt at a clearance as the clock ticked down as Hurzeler was not a happy man, with a clean sheet high on the agenda. Photo: Mike Hewitt / Getty Images