Brighton and Hove Albion's quick fire opener left Huddersfield Town facing an uphill battle in their latest Championship clash.
Beram Kayal netted just 17 seconds into the John Smith's showdown, leaving the home side reeling.
Town were missing wideman Sean Scannell, who felt further discomfort when he played his first game of the season after a hamstring problem against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Harry Bunn came into a starting side which included sought-after midfielder Jacob Butterfield, the subject of two unsuccessful bids by Derby County recently.
With keeper Alex Smithies still in talks over a possible move to QPR, Joe Murphy made a third successive appearance in goal.
Brighton, who arrived in Huddersfield with a 100% record after three matches, were unchanged from their 2-1 win at Fulham, Town's hosts this Saturday.
And the Seagulls got off to a flying start, breaking forward from the kick-off for Sam Baldock to play in midfielder Kayal, who netted from 20 yards.
The Israeli was given too much space by the home defence, and the alarm bells were ringing in the 10th minute, when he powered in another shot.
Luckily for Town, it was deflected wide, and from the resulting corner, Brighton skipper Gordon Greer headed over.
Town were struggling to put Brighton under any real pressure, although Ishmael Miller had keeper David Stockdale scrambling to reach a flicked delivery towards the danger area.
At the other end, Town keeper Murphy had to come racing out of his area to head clear as Baldock chased a ball over the top.
Miller lashed a shot over the top when teed up by Butterfield, but Wells was unable to trouble Stockdale unduly with his effort from Harry Bunn's neat pass.
Baldock was busy for Brighton, and Murphy did well to block his shot after the visitors' other Israeli, Tomer Hemed, played him in.
Hemed had a looping shot deflected wide, and Murphy thwarted Baldock before Butterfield came close with a well-struck 25-yard free-kick after a foul on Miller.
