LONDON: Brighton claimed top spot in the Championship with an emphatic 3-0 win over 10-man QPR at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday. Chris Hughton’s team moved above previous leaders Newcastle, who were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday on Monday, thanks to goals from Sam Baldock, Glenn Murray and Anthony Knockaert. Brighton are now two points above second placed Newcastle and eight ahead of third placed Reading in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League. The Seagulls, beaten in last season’s play-off semi-finals, have won their last four matches and are unbeaten in 17 league games.