They were their own worst enemies at times to help Manchester United on their way.
But goals from Danny Welbeck and Charalampos Kostoulas, his first in the Premier League, gave hope.
Here are five things we saw and heard on a lively evening in the North West.
### The run ends
Albion’s winning run at Old Trafford had to end at some point.
But at least it happened with a fight.
Seagulls fans were sensing a famous point when Kostoulas rose to meet James Milner’s pinpoint corner and make it 3-2.
But the Seagulls never really got into a position to threaten the leveller.
It felt like they really needed that Tommy Watson effort soon after the Welbeck free-kick to go in if they were to rescue a result against the clock.
But it was a creditable salvage attempt.
### Game-changer
It was the period which changed the game.
Certainly, sitting in the man stand at Old Trafford, it felt like the contest and mood shifted totally in that first-half period when United players were going to ground and they felt they were on the wrong end of injustices.
Rightly or wrongly, it fuelled the home team and certainly crowd and the opener from Matheus Cunha soon followed.
### Pass and fail
Albion played with confidence and poise from very deep from the start. The best example was a move which saw Yasin Ayari fouled by Leny Yoro just outside the United box.
But there is no doubt they played themselves into trouble far too often – and not just on the second goal.
Bart Verbruggen had a far better game than a four-goal tally against him would suggest.
### Debut time
Tommy Watson’s half-time warm-up suggested he would be on for the start of the second half.
In fact the winger, whose Prem debut was put on hold against Newcastle, went on as part of a triple switch, had to wait another quarter of an hour.
It came when Albion had just had a semi-bright spell and the new look had not settled when Bryan Mbeumo made it 3-0.
### United roar
The celebrations at the end said a lot about how much this win meant to the home side.
They will be the main focus of this contest. Of course they will.
But most away supporters stayed to give their side good applause at the end.
Albion could now really do with a win when Leeds visit next Saturday.