At St. Mary's, rampaging Brighton thrashed faltering Southampton 3-1 in the Premier League, with Adam Lallana scoring against his old team.
After Gavin Bazunu, the goalkeeper for the home team, made a critical error, Saints academy graduate Lallana gave Albion the lead before Romain Perraud's tragic own goal doubled their lead before the break.
Solly March of the Seagulls scored a booming third goal to cap a disastrous debut at home in the Premier League for Southampton manager Nathan Jones.
A Southampton comeback never seemed likely, but James Ward-Prowse scored by heading in the rebound after Robert Sanchez saved his 73rd-minute penalty.
The hosts' loss keeps them stuck in the relegation zone and makes it clear to Jones, who started his coaching career with Brighton, just how big of a task he has on his hands in Hampshire. After earning their third legitimate league victory in their previous four games, the Seagulls tightened their hold on a top-half berth.
After replacing the fired Ralph Hasenhuttl two days before a 3-1 loss at Liverpool on November 12, the former Luton boss Jones was forced to wait nearly seven weeks to play in the top division at home.
The Welshman's day swiftly went south when his listless team was jeered off at the conclusion of each half. Lallana's looping header embarrassed Republic of Ireland international Bazunu in the 14th minute as Brighton, still without World Cup winner Alexis MacAllister, started out stronger.
The midfielder for the Seagulls made a deft turn deep inside Saints' territory, threw the ball wide to March, and then sprinted into the box to slam the ensuing inswinging cross through the helpless goalie.
Lallana, a former England international who joined Saints' academy at age 12 and left for Liverpool in 2014, was jeered early on, but his celebration was restrained. The unfortunate start for Southampton, which had the poorest home record in the division when play resumed after the World Cup, quickly led to complaints from the crowd.
Before the hosts tragically fell further behind, Captain Ward-Prowse flashed a free-kick narrowly wide to provide some encouragement. This furthered the gloom.
From the opening kickoff, Saints' defense had trouble stopping Pervis Estupinan and Kaoru Mitoma on Brighton's left side. Ten minutes before halftime, they combined for the former to deliver a menacing low cross that Perraud clumsily headed into his own goal while being pressured by March.
Samuel Edozie twice threatened as Southampton got more serious in the opening minutes of the second stanza. However, March quickly stopped the momentum from building by slicing in from the right to slam an incredible drive into the top left corner from about 25 yards.
The packed Brighton crowd reveled in their team's dazzling performance, chanting "the south coast is ours" followed by ones about the possibility of a European trip next season as Southampton supporters looked on with glum expressions.
When the vivacious Edozie was knocked out in the box by Pascal Gross, Saints finally gave themselves some optimism. Sanchez, who was given a warning for prolonging the penalty shot, dove to his right to block Ward-original Prowse's attempt but was helpless to save the follow-up kick.
Later, after colliding with Che Adams, the Spain international ran the risk of receiving a second caution, but Brighton eventually prevailed on another humiliating day for Southampton.
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