Albion will spend tonight on top of the Championship after outclassing Sheffield Wednesday at The Amex.

Wayne Bridge, Craig Mackail-Smith and Will Buckley were on target as the Seagulls swept to a 3-0 win before a record-breaking crowd of 26,594.

Right-back Bruno also took star billing with fabulous assists for the second and third goals.

Albion played some lovely stuff in the first half but needed a big deflection to help them take a 24th-minute lead.

Bridge’s free-kick from just outside the box flicked off a defender breaking off the wall and looped across a bemused Chris Kirkland and inside the far post.

Kirkland had earlier denied Buckley after the winger, on his first start of the season, was sent clear by Dean Hammond’s superb pass.

Albion also failed to pick out a striker on at least three occasions after cutting through and getting to the byline.

There was no problem with the service on 54 minutes though as Bruno charged down the right, cut inside a defender and set up the second for Mackail-Smith.

The striker marked his fifth goal of the season with his new C-Gull celebration.

Bruno then chipped an exquisite pass into the path of Buckley, who clipped a fine finish over Kirkland.

Tomasz Kuszczak secured a welcome clean sheet with a brilliant reflex save from Jay Bothroyd’s header.

Albion sent on recent signings Stephen Dobbie, Andrea Orlandi and David Lopez for the closing stages as they cruised to their third successive win.