Albion’s proud unbeaten run came crashing down at the Amex today – and they lost another player to injury.

Defender Uwe Huenemeier went off in the second period of a thoroughly conclusive 3-0 defeat to leaders Middlesbrough at the Amex.

The Seagulls had remained unbeaten since drawing 0-0 at the Riverside at the end of last season but they were very much second best this time.

Kike headed the visitors in front in only the fourth minute as he beat Huenemeier to Albert Adomah’s cross.

The Argus:

Jose Mourinho watches the action

They then soaked up Albion’s attempts to get back into the game, although James Wilson fired wide after breaking through the middle.

Boro struck the killer blow of a second goal just before the break with Adomah claiming the final touch to Daniel Ayala’s header from a corner, although it seemed to go in off Inigo Calderon.

Dimitrios Konstantopoulos tipped over a Jamie Murphy curler as Albion tried to respond attacking the North Stand in the first half.

But Cristhian Stuani killed off that flicker of hope by heading home from close range after Kike curled the ball back across goal as the hosts again failed to deal with a corner.

There was next to no response from the Seagulls against a well-organised Boro side.

Connor Goldson got a long-awaited debut for the club as a second-half substitute for Huenemeier, who was filling in for the banned Lewis Dunk.

The match was watched by Jose Mourinho, who is a good friend of Boro boss Aitor Karanka.