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Brighton came into this one with a solid defensive record, having only let in two goals in their first four matches. With a decent history against Forest, many thought they’d take charge. But it was the visitors who struck first! A clumsy challenge from Carlos Baleba on Callum Hudson-Odoi gave Forest an early penalty, and Chris Wood slotted it home in the 13th minute. He almost doubled his tally soon after, but an offside flag saved him from a close-range blunder.
Brighton struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Forest looking strong. But just before halftime, the Seagulls turned the tide with two stunning moments. Jack Hinshelwood, in an unusual midfield role, soared to meet Jan Paul van Hecke’s cross and powered in a header to equalize in the 42nd minute. Then, Danny Welbeck curled in a beauty from a free-kick, giving Brighton a cheeky lead just before the break.
With Brighton buzzing, Forest’s manager Nuno Espírito Santo made a bold triple substitution at halftime, hoping to regain control. But it was Brighton who nearly extended their lead right after the restart. Welbeck, riding high from his free-kick goal, danced through the Forest defense, forcing Mats Sels into a crucial save.
Just when it looked like Brighton was cruising, the game took another twist! Forest, against the run of play, equalized 20 minutes from time. Two substitutes teamed up, with Jota Silva sprinting through the Brighton defense and setting up Ramón Sosa for a simple tap-in. It was Sosa’s first goal for Forest, and what a vital one it was!
The final moments were packed with drama. Morgan Gibbs-White got a second yellow, leaving Forest with ten men, and a furious Nuno Espírito Santo was shown a red card from the sidelines. Even down a man, Forest nearly snatched all three points on a late counter, while Brighton had their chances too, with Lewis Dunk coming close.
For Brighton, this draw was a milestone, marking their first five-game unbeaten run at the start of a top-flight campaign in club history. They sit seventh in the Premier League, looking strong after last season’s European push. While letting their lead slip is a bummer, the Seagulls are still in a good spot early in the season.
On the flip side, Nottingham Forest can take pride in their resilience. After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, they’re now comfortably mid-table with nine points from five games. Last weekend’s shock win over Liverpool and this point at the Amex show that Nuno Espírito Santo’s side is moving on from last season’s struggles. The new signings like Ramón Sosa and Jota Silva are giving Forest fans hope for a competitive season ahead.
While both teams might feel a bit frustrated with the result, it sets the stage for an exciting battle as they both aim to solidify their Premier League status. Brighton will be looking to keep their momentum going for another European push, while Forest will focus on building consistency and staying clear of the relegation zone. What a season it’s shaping up to be!
Can Brighton take this unbeaten run further and push for Europe, or will Forest’s newfound grit disrupt the plans of Premier League hopefuls?
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