Brighton & Hove Albion 2-2 Nottingham Forest (Premier League) 22.09.24
Forest take point, in fiery fixture on the coast.
It was a ‘tasty’ affair in Brighton this weekend, as Forest fought the Seagulls, eventually earning a point, despite going down to ten men.
The first half
Forest started convincingly, while they hadn’t necessarily created too much, or dominated, they held off Brighton’s ruthless attack, and didn’t succumb to the pressure of Fabian Hürzeler’s side.
Brighton are well-rounded, fast, and young, but Forest have experience, and resilience. They scored first, albeit from a penalty, as Baleba clips Hudson-Odoi in the box. Wood steps up, and scores his 30th career penalty. He’s only missed three, ever.
Forest came into the game more after the goal, as you’d expect, with some good advances with Hudson-Odoi, but lacked the shots at goal.
Eventually, Brighton made the comeback – Forest allowed their crosses, Forest gave them space, allowed them to play the way they do. Van Hecke lifts a wonderful ball, slightly deflected by Gibbs-White, which finds the head of Jack Hinshelwood – a wonderful goal from the Seagulls prospect, and a wonderful assist from the Dutch defender.
Forest became complacent, I felt, and would later concede a free-kick on the far side of the box. Up steps Welbeck, and without much effort slots it into the bottom right corner, past Sels. Sels glued to the spot – poor positioning from him for that goal, I thought.
A nightmare end to the first half, but despite turning off, I still believed there was more to come from Forest.
The second half
This time, Forest needed to up their game, Brighton knew the game plan, Mitoma was a nightmare to deal with.
Williams, Silva & Yates came on for Moreno, Ward-Prowse & Elanga – Moreno & Ward-Prowse both carded, and Elanga having a shocker. Must be said, while I respect Elanga’s prior contributions, new boys Silva & Sosa are far more deserving as a start. I feel Elanga’s impact as a starter is minimal. Better off the bench.
The subs meant Forest were less affected by yellow cards, but nonetheless more were picked up. Brighton kept attacking, they made it tough for Forest.
After some time, Forest managed to break the deadlock. After an attack, Hürzeler’s sides often leaves the midfield so open, and vulnerable to a counter-attack. Forest took advantage, Silva & Sosa – new sub – ran as a pairing, Gibbs-White then found Silva, he ran with great pace, and passed it across goal for Sosa to score his first Premier League goal. From humble beginnings in the Paraguayan countryside, to making it to the top division in world football, it’s an awe-inspiring story capable of making anyone smile.
Forest now equalised, 2-2. This is what Forest needed. The Reds then brought on Morato, going for a back five and taking Wood out of the game. Using Sosa & Silva as forwards, more inside forwards, allowed for quick counters, and that goal scoring pairing to run riot on the counter.
Forest defended well, but the game soon took a turn – Gibbs-White tackles João Pedro on halfway, aggressively, but wins the ball. Rob Jones signals – and explicitly says – that Gibbs-White got the ball, but foreign intervention – it seems – changed his mind. Jones then brandished a yellow, Gibbs-Whites second of the afternoon, and ultimately his downfall. Nuno Espírito Santo passionately protested, he was sent off. Hürzeler also sent off. A few moments of madness.
Gibbs-White won the ball with his right foot, but questions can be asked of his left leg – which seemingly swept Pedro, perhaps making it look as though he had committed a scissor tackle against Pedro. It seemed harsh at first, but my question lies with the referee and fourth official, Anthony Taylor: Why is the ref’s word not final, and what is the role of a fourth official?
Nothing came of six minutes of added time, much to the relief of Forest. Forest’s resilience & fight shone through, and they earned the point, and should take it well. Had this have been last season, or definitely the season before, I would’ve predicted a point would be highly unlikely. The mentality now is far better. Forest played to the final whistle.
It wasn’t their greatest showing, but two goals against Brighton, nine points on the tally, and unbeaten still in the league, is a great start from Forest.
*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFC Chris Wood scores from the spot in a 2-2 draw with Brighton.
