Albion got their Women's Super League campaign off to a winning start as they withstood an Everton comeback in a 2-1 victory at Walton Hall Park.
A quickfire double from Elisabeth Terland inside the first 15 minutes put Albion comfortably ahead but the much-improved hosts deservedly halved the deficit through Megan Finnigan after the hour mark.
Melissa Phillips' side had to dig in to preserve their lead and held on to pick up the three points.
Albion shot out of the blocks and took the lead in the fourth minute as Katie Robinson's piledriver from 25 yards rebounded off the bar and Terland was in the right place to nod home the rebound.
Terland nearly grabbed a second in the sixth minute when the Norwegian international whistled a well-struck shot from the edge of the area inches wide of the post.
Terland didn't have to wait long, however, to get on the scoresheet again as the 22-year-old stabbed home from 10 yards out following a superb through-ball from Robinson in the 14th minute.
While Everton struggled to get to grips with Brighton's effective pressing game and potent attacking interplay in the opening 20, they fired a warning shot of their own as Nicoline Sørensen’s effort cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.
After weathering an extended spell of pressure from the Toffees, Albion regained their composure and weren't far away from going 3-0 up just before half time, only for Pauline Bremer's surging run and shot to be blocked by the backpedalling Elise Stenevik.
Everton started the brighter of the two teams in the second half, with Martina Piemonte proving a handful up front, but struggled to have a clear-cut chance on Brighton debutant Sophie Baggaley's goal.
That changed with 25 minutes remaining as Brian Sorensen's side pulled a goal back through captain Finnigan after Albion failed to deal with a corner.
Albion nearly restored their two-goal cushion late on as Tatiana Pinto's close-range shot was smothered by goalkeeper Emily Ramsey. In an end-to-end finale, Albion held on for a hard-fought victory.
Albion: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Pattinson, Bergsvand, Losada, Bremer, Lee (Sarri 61), Zigiotti (Pinto 61), Terland (Symonds 75), Kullberg, Robinson (Rule 75).
Subs not used: Evrard, Carabali, Hawkesby, Startup.