Brighton & Hove Albion ended a run of eight Premier League matches without a win by beating Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road.

Second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter were enough to seal victory for the Seagulls, boosting their hopes of European qualification.

Ipswich did threaten in the first half as Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson forced Bart Verbruggen into decent stops.

But Mitoma smuggled in an effort just short of the hour mark before Rutter's clever flick made the points safe nine minutes from time, taking Brighton up to ninth in the table.

They are just four points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester City, while Ipswich drop back into the relegation zone on goals scored, with Wolverhampton Wanderers moving back up to 17th despite Wednesday's 3-0 loss at Newcastle United.

How the match unfolded

The visitors started a quiet first half on the front foot but only had a long-range Mitoma shot to show for it. Christian Walton kept that one out comfortably, but his counterpart Verbruggen was busier at the other end of the pitch.

Ipswich grew in confidence as the half wore on, with Nathan Broadhead, Delap and Hutchinson all making the Brighton stopper work from distance but failing to find the breakthrough.

The Tractor Boys created the first clear chance of the second half, too, when Wes Burns' snapshot from a corner rolled wide.

But they were undone a couple of minutes later as Brighton took the lead. Yasin Ayari and Matt O'Riley combined to tee up Mitoma inside the box, and the winger's shot squeezed under Walton and into the net.

Fabian Hurzeler's side were in control from there, Joao Pedro forcing a good save from Walton before Rutter put the result beyond doubt, spinning to flick home from close range, with the on-field decision to award the goal confirmed after a VAR review for offside.

Tough lesson for Walton

Ipswich had taken four points from their previous two league matches against Chelsea and Fulham, matching their tally from their seven previous outings, and they showed glimpses of why in this match, particularly in the first half.

The Tractor Boys had avoided conceding a goal from open play in either of those matches, which coincided with the return of goalkeeper Walton to the starting XI.

Walton was generally in solid form again on Thursday, making three saves, but he will reflect that he could have done better with Mitoma's goal, the shot squeezing underneath his outstretched arm and into the net.

The 29-year-old has been a calming influence since replacing Arijanet Muric, who was between the sticks for a run of eight goals shipped in four matches prior to losing his place.

But the second half of Thursday's game demonstrated just how cruel the Premier League can be for a goalkeeper, and Walton must pick himself up quickly ahead of a daunting run of fixtures.

Manchester City and Liverpool are Ipswich's next two opponents, ahead of a huge six-pointer against Southampton on February 1.

Brighton find a way

Brighton have drawn far too many matches in their quest for European football, so a return to winning ways will come as a relief to Hurzeler.

The Seagulls had already finished all square against each of the league's bottom four clubs this season, drawing at home to Ipswich, Wolves and Southampton, as well as on the road at Leicester last month.

And this was the type of match in which they could have been frustrated once more, with Ipswich putting plenty of pressure on in the first half.

But they finally proved that they have a side capable of beating teams towards the bottom of the table when a nicely worked move ended with Mitoma giving them the lead.

Rutter emerged from the bench to make it two, with Lewis Dunk, Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck also producing impressive cameos to showcase Brighton's strength in depth.

Their dominant second-half display was a reminder of the class they possess, and they will head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday in high spirits.

Club reports

Ipswich report | Brighton report

Match officials

Referee: Tony Harrington. Assistants: Marc Perry, Mat Wilkes. Fourth official: Matt Donohue. VAR: Michael Salisbury. Assistant VAR: Richard West.