Albion secured their highest ever finish in the WSL following a comfortable victory against the relegated Robins.
An early goal from Maya Le Tissier and second-half strikes from Lee Geum-Min and Inessa Kaagman helped the Seagulls to sixth place in the table and a fourth home league win in five games.
Prior to kick-off there was even more at stake for the visitors, who needed all three points to stand a chance of staying in the top flight.
As a result, Matt Beard’s side started on the front foot but it was Albion who took the lead on seven minutes when Le Tissier drilled home after City failed to deal with a corner.
Kayleigh Green, making her 50th WSL appearance for Albion, then dragged an effort wide, and also blasted over when she should have tested Robins keeper Sophie Baggaley.
Albion were now in full control of the game and continued to search for a second with Emma Koivisto and Emily Simpkins having efforts on goal in quick succession.
On a rare City break, Charlie Wellings had a defected effort comfortably saved by Cecilie Fiskerstrand, but normal service was resumed with Ellie Brazil finding herself through on goal, only to be foiled by Baggaley.
The pattern continued in the second half, with Kaagman firing narrowly over before Albion doubled their lead on 52 minutes through Lee, who blasted in off the crossbar from close range – the loanee’s third goal in two games.
The visitors grabbed a lifeline just past the hour mark when Yana Daniels headed the ball back into the danger zone and sub Abbie Harrison was on hand to tuck home.
With nothing to lose, City tried to throw everything that had at the Seagulls. Ebony Salmon became a growing influence and tried her luck from the edge of the box following a typically driving run.
The wind was all but taken out of the Robins’ sails, however, with 15 minutes remaining when a Kaagman free-kick from 20 yards out took a deflection to beat Baggaley.
With champions Chelsea comfortably defeating Albion’s closest rivals Reading, sixth place in the table was confirmed, while City were left in tears as they face up to Championship football after four years in the top flight.
Albion: Fiskerstrand, Gibbons, Le Tissier, Koivisto, Williams, Whelan, Kaagman, Green (Bance 92), Brazil, Simpkins, Lee.
Subs not used: Walsh, Roe, Kerkdijk, Connolly, Heroum, Symonds, Olding, Jarrett.