Brighton cruised to their biggest win of the season against nine-man Wycombe.
The relegation-haunted visitors had defenders Roger Johnson and Mark Rogers sent off in a miserable defeat for Tony Adams' side.
Centre-half Johnson received a controversial straight red card from referee Andy Hall after 15 minutes for foul and abusive language towards a linesman.
Brighton, without suspended top scorer Leon Knight, capitalised on their numerical advantage on 31 minutes following more indiscipline from Wycombe.
Rogers was booked for a reckless tackle from behind on John Piercy. Steve Taylor was also cautioned in the incident for something he said, which resulted in Hall advancing the free-kick ten yards.
That brought the goal into range for Richard Carpenter and the midfielder cracked in the free-kick from 30 yards via the underside of the bar.
Piercy, deputising for 17-goal Knight, doubled their lead with another Christmas cracker on 42 minutes.
Wycombe captain Michael Simpson was dispossessed by Gary Hart and Piercy curled a left-footer past young keeper Steve Williams from 20 yards.
Brighton went 3-0 up on 49 minutes when a corner from Mark Yeates was headed goalwards by Guy Butters for Chris McPhee to tuck away his ninth of the season from close range.
Former Tottenham player Piercy slotted his second of the match 14 minutes later when McPhee headed back a cross by Nathan Jones.
Things went from bad to worse for sorry Wycombe on 65 minutes. Rogers was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence when he pulled Hart's shirt.
The emphatic victory keeps alive Brighton's hopes of challenging Queens Park Rangers and Plymouth Argyle for one of the automatic promotion places.
Adams, on the other hand, faces a massive task to steer Wycombe clear of the drop zone.
The only bright spot for the former Arsenal and England captain was a lively performance up front from teenager Luke Moore, on loan from Aston Villa.