Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to deliver a half-time rocket to fire his Manchester United side a step closer to Champions League football next season.
A storming second half fightback means Solskjaer’s side are now ELEVEN points ahead of fifth-placed Spurs with eight games left to play.
And with Leicester City and Chelsea both suffering weekend defeats, United’s grip on the Premier League’s second spot was strengthened by strikes from Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood after Danny Welbeck had given Brighton a deserved first half lead.
Solskjaer said: “It’s a long way up (to City) but we want to consolidate second place.
“In the second half, we played some good stuff. The fireworks had to be lit at half-time.”
And match-winner Greenwood added: “Everyone was excellent in the second half - everyone was focused.
"Ole said his bit at half-time and so did Harry (Maguire) as captain."
Maguire could count himself fortunate, though, after appearing to impede Welbeck in the penalty area when the scores were at one apiece.
Referee Mike Dean decided it was no penalty and VAR stood by his decision.
“I was a little surprised it was not given in real time,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter. “And it looks like a penalty when you watch it back.”
Meanwhile, Solskjaer looks likely to be without striker Anthony Martial for the rest of the season.
The United manager explained: “Unfortunately, Anthony sprained his knee with France. Losing Anthony for what might be the rest of the season is very disappointing. He is an important player.”
Rashford had to be substituted late on but Solskjaer is confident he will be fit for the game against Granada in the Europa League on Thursday.
But Solskjaer will be without Eric Bailly for some time after the Ivory Coast defender tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty.
