West Brom went ahead in the 11th minute after Kyle Bartley got a run on Brighton' s zonal marking and thumped the ball in from close range with his head.
Brighton almost immediately responded after winning a penalty thanks to a VAR call that deemed Okay Yokuslu handled in the area, but Pascal Gross smashed the resulting spot-kick against the bar.
Not long after that, Lewis Dunk thought he had equalised with a clever, quick free-kick, but referee Lee Mason disallowed the goal after saying he didn't blow his whistle for it to be taken.
Brighton kept knocking on the door, however. Aaron Connolly missed a sitter, Joel Veltman forced the keeper to make a good save and then substitute Danny Welbeck missed Brighton's second penalty of the day after Gross was fouled in the box.
Brighton stay in 16th place, one point above Newcastle who have a game in hand.
1. Joel Veltman - 6
Typically solid defensive game for the Dutchmanas West Brom lacked attacking threat.Missed a good opportunity with his head from inside the six-yard box. Alsoforced Johnstone to make a good reaction save.Played a more traditional full-back role.
2. Lewis Dunk - 6
Quality bit of quick-thinking from the skipper toscore from an early taken free-kick, unfortunately it was controversiallydisallowed by Lee Masonafter some VAR chaos. Won his aerial battles every time. Seemed to be frustrated throughout, especially with the officials.
3. Ben White - 6
Made a few good overlapping runs but lacked end product. Not tested much by West Brom as they sat back and defended their 1-0 lead. Subbed off for Jakub Moder late on.
4. Dan Burn - 6.5
Dangerous and clever movement in the West Brom box helped win Brighton's first penalty. Usedhis body to cause problems from set-pieces. Some good overlapping runs to overload the Baggies' defence, too.