Leicester City’s promotion celebrations were cut short as they recorded their first defeat in 22 games in a comprehensive 4-0 home defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion at the King Power stadium.
Stephen Ward opened the scoring after powering home an inswinging corner to stun the Foxes support.
Jesse Lingard doubled the lead soon after, the Manchester United loanee also exploiting some lacklustre defending to flick his header past the helpless Kasper Schmeichel.
The Foxes never got out of first gear in the first 45 minutes and barely registered an effort on goal, forcing Pearson to bring on Lloyd Dyer and Chris Wood after the break.
It could have been three shortly after the break, but an excellent goal-line clearance from Marcin Wasilewski kept City in the game.
Leicester picked up the tempo in the second half and nearly pulled a goal back but Chris Wood’s powerful effort crashed back off the post.
Things got worse for the Foxes in the 65th minute, the Seagulls talisman Leonardo Ulloa beat the offside trap before rounding Schmeichel and finishing into the empty net to seal all three points for the away side.
Brighton were ruthless and compounded extended the lead further when Ulloa claimed his second in the 80th minute with a neat headed goal.
The King Power stadium was stunned into silence, this certainly wasn’t a display the home crowd have become accustomed on the way to Leicester being promoted.
Not even a 4-1 thrashing could dent the home fans spirits however who proceeded to celebrate promotion to the Premier League right until the final whistle.
The Foxes frantically searched for a route back into the game but it never came, captain Wes Morgan headed narrowly over from a corner on a night where nothing seemed to go right for the home side.
The home side continued regardless and their efforts were rewarded with a consolation goal as Gary Taylor Fletcher side footed past Thomas Kuszczak in the last minute.
Leicester still remain on course to be promoted as champions despite the loss and command a six point gap between themselves and second placed Burnley.
