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Brighton scored the first goal of the new Coca Cola Championship – but then saw the bubbly go flat as Reading hit back in style at the Madejski Stadium.
The Royals hit back through Dave Kitson, James Harper and Nicky Forster to record an opening day win that puts the Berkshire side top of the league.
The opening day fixture got off to a blistering start in scorching heat as Brighton striker Maheta Molango marked his debut with a clinical finish just 13 seconds into the new campaign.
But Reading recovered from such a stunning early setback with the championship's second fastest goal, Dave Kitson lashing home with just 92 seconds on the clock.
And the home side ensured a winning start to the season when midfielder James Harper and striker Nicky Forster completed a 3-2 win.
With former Seagulls manager Steve Coppell coming face-to-face with Brighton's ex-Reading boss Mark McGhee, there was an added spice to the usual start-of-season anticipation.
But few would have predicted the sensational start provided by Molango, who darted into space after Glen Little's attempted clearance had been charged down, then smacked an angled drive beyond the reach of Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann.
The strike stung the home side who instantly whirred into action.
The Royals were quick to restore parity as Forster headed a deep cross into the path of Kitson, who struck a clinical half-volley past Michel Kuipers and into the roof of the net.
And Reading were in front four minutes before the break when Harper started and finished a neat move, sweeping home following a Little cross to punish Danny Cullip's loose clearance.
Kitson then wasted a glorious chance to give Reading some breathing space when he glanced a header against a post from another Little cross, but Forster added the crucial third on 59 minutes.
Harper's long ball forward should have been comfortably dealt with by Dan Harding, but Forster charged his clearance down and sprinted forward to fire past Kuipers from a difficult angle.
Five minutes later Brighton were back in it when substitute Jake Robinson turned Adie Williams and shot home from eight yards.
The Seagulls rallied late on, but never really looked like earning a point that even Mark McGhee admitted they didn't deserve.