Albion can make Sheffield Wednesday’s lives flash before their eyes at the Amex – by repeating their high-powered start of last May.

Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal is braced for a possible early onslaught when the Seagulls chase top spot tomorrow.

Albion aim to overhaul leaders Newcastle and open a nine-point lead over third-placed Leeds when they host Wednesday at the Amex.

Chris Hughton’s men will be driven on against Wednesday by memories of their play-off exit in the heartbreaking finale to last season.

Now Carvalhal has revealed his own “pain” during that opening salvo in which – roared on by fanatical support – Lewis Dunk put the home side ahead and briefly sent hopes soaring before Wednesday fought back to draw 1-1 and clinch a 3-1 aggregate win.

Carvalhal said: “It was a strong beginning by Brighton, who caused big problems, really big problems for the first 25 minutes.

“We felt a lot of pain in that first 20 to 25 minutes. We saw our lives come back to us before our eyes!”

He added: “Especially at home they are strong. Comparing with last season, we must understand it is a team who achieved 12 points more than us in the Championship even though we beat them in the semi-final of the play-off.

“They have improved their team with quality players. I make them one of the strongest teams and probably in the top two or three better teams in the competition.”

Victory would take Albion back above Newcastle, who host Rotherham on Saturday. Albion are determined to keep pace with the Magpies after last Saturday’s first defeat in 19 games, away to Preston.

Albion are determined to keep pace with the Magpies after last Saturday’s first defeat in 19 games, away to Preston.

Carvahal is targetting another big scalp, however, with Wednesday having already won at leaders Newcastle last month and also at Huddersfield when victory would have sent the Terriers to the summit.

Carvalhal added: “When we beat Huddersfield they were (aiming to be) first, when we beat Newcastle they were first and it was a big challenge to us but I think this one will be the hardest.””

Details of a new date for Newcastle’s trip to the Amex, postponed due to a clash with the FA Cup fourth round, will be revealed at 10am today at theargus.co.uk.