ALBION were beaten 3-1 by Brighton at a sodden Amex Stadium on Saturday.
James Morrison's first goal of the season was not enough for the Baggies who had gone 3-0 down after a double from Pascal Gross and a near-post header from Tomer Hemed.
With just under 15 minutes on the clock, Shane Duffy had the ball in the net for Brighton but his close-range effort was ruled out for offside.
Seven minutes before the break Gareth Barry went close to opening the scoring for Albion when his powerful shot from the edge of the box had to be tipped over by Mathew Ryan.
It wasn’t until the end of the first half that the home side went in front as Solly March’s cross from the left was brought down by Gross and drilled into the goal via a deflection.
And the Brighton frontman bagged his second just after half time, firing beyond Ben Foster from the edge of the area.
Chris Hughton’s side then went three up on 63 minutes as Hemed directed Gross’ cross off the near post and into the back of the net.
Albion managed to pull a goal back on 77 minutes through substitute Morrison after he squeezed his shot over the line following a clever Oliver Burke knock-down.
Morrison had a chance to get his second of the afternoon late on but Brighton stood firm to get the win.
ALBION: Foster; Dawson, Evans (c), Hegazi (Gibbs 57), Nyom; Barry, Krychowiak, Livermore (Morrison 71); Phillips, Rodriguez, Rondon (Burke 57).