Chris Hughton hailed Anthony Knockaert’s 36th-minute opener as the turning point after Albion capped a fine week.
Glenn Murray added a second-half double as the Seagulls beat Nottingham Forest 3-0.
Forest were bright in the first half-hour, notably through right winger Oliver Burke.
But Hughton felt the moment Knockaert swept home Bong’s cross changed the contest.
It was a poignant moment for the Frenchman as he netted on what would have been the birthday of his late brother.
Hughton said: “We didn’t start the game as well as I would have liked.
“I thought they had a far bit of energy in that first period and we had to weather that.
“We got through that period without conceding and I always felt we could only get better.
“But goals change games and the first goal did that.”
Hughton is awaiting reports on goalkeeper David Stockdale, who took a blow to the shin.
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