Nottingham Forest’s latest five-game unbeaten run in all competitions was ended by Brighton as the Seagulls won 2-0 at the City Ground.
Since Sean Dyche’s arrival at the end of October, Forest had lost just once in their last three games up until Sunday’s game, winning each by three goals.
Brighton dominated the opening 20 minutes but failed to get a shot on target, after which Forest started to rise.
It was a good period for the hosts as Brighton broke through just before half-time. Maxim de Kuiper was spotted unmarked by Georginio Rutter in the penalty area and was swept away from close range.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Maxim de Kuiper breaks the deadlock to give Brighton the lead against Nottingham Forest.
Forest spent much of the second half looking for an equaliser, having 11 shots to Brighton’s four, but were thwarted by Morato’s poor defending.
He was under pressure in his own box and tried to play the ball backwards, but Brajan Gruda grabbed the ball and tried to round Sels. The keeper almost had enough of a shot, but the ball gently hit 19-year-old Stefanos Tsimas and headed home.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mats Sells made a spectacular double save to deny Brighton a 2-0 lead in the Premier League clash.
Sels had earlier made an important double save to deny Diego Gomez and Ferdi Kadioglu, but Bad Verbruggen at the other end denied Igor Jesus. It was also Sels who started the attack, but Forest were unable to find the cutting edge attack that has been so helpful in recent games.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Stefanos Tsimas doubled Brighton’s lead in their Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
Brighton will move up to fifth place with the win and exorcise the demons of last season’s 7-0 defeat at the City Ground. Forest remain in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
Analysis: De Kuiper shined as Forest badly missed Murillo
Declan Oley of Sky Sports:
Last season, Brighton suffered humiliation at Nottingham Forest in February when they lost 7-0 at the City Ground.
Almost 10 months later, the Seagulls avenged that humiliation with a stunning win and showed they are serious contenders for European qualification this season.
Maxim de Kuiper was the key to victory. Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler has made a summer signing to great effect in his new position on the left wing, although the player did not experience the same level of competition in the East Midlands last season.
From there, the Belgium international worked his way up the left flank and helped Brighton attempt nine shots in the opening 20 minutes, the most ever in a Premier League game in that period.
And it was De Kuiper who made the breakthrough that deservedly capped off a great first-half performance. The 24-year-old was named Man of the Match for creating the most chances (four) and attempting the most crosses (four) of any Seagulls player.
Maxim de Kuiper scores Brighton’s opening goal as they beat Nottingham Forest
Speaking afterwards to Sky Sports about his position change, he said: “I used to play there a lot when I was younger so it felt a little strange to play there again at first, but I’m happy there.”
Meanwhile, there have been a lot of changes at Forest since the 7-0 win over Brighton, with a new manager in place, European football and the possibility of relegation remaining. But one big difference after 10 months was Murillo’s absence.
The Forest defender missed Sunday’s game due to injury, underscoring his lack of availability.
Morato, who came on as a substitute, had an inconsistent game and led to Brighton’s second goal.
Forest boss Sean Dyche will therefore be hoping that Murillo’s injury heals ahead of his side’s six-point relegation clash with bottom-placed Wolves, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Wednesday.
Wednesday, December 3rd 6:30pm
7:30pm kickoff
Dyche: Brighton’s defeat was not due to a lack of effort on our part, but
Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche told Sky Sports: “The performance after the first 20 minutes is strange because that (start) was really bad. It felt like we were waiting for everyone else to do something and they (Brighton) certainly weren’t waiting.”
“After that, we took control of the game and played very well for the second half of the first half.
“We gave away a poor goal and we need to control the game at that point. We have a few minutes. We understand that. That’s the basics.”
“I thought we had the upper hand in the second half. It was a mistake for the last goal, but we took so many positives.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Morgan Gibbs-White came close to putting Nottingham Forest ahead in their Premier League game against Brighton.
“Oddly enough, there are a lot of positive signs in our performance, but we have to score goals and to be fair we have done that.
“It’s hard to question the players after that second half. It was a great reaction to losing 1-0. We’re not going to lick our wounds. We did it quickly and that should be important for us.”
“There were a lot of positive signs here, but we had to turn those signs into wins and we achieved that. Today was a game that got away from us, but it wasn’t for lack of effort, it was just a lack of tactical discipleship early on.”
“The rest of the way, you can’t doubt the players’ motivation to win the game, because it was so obvious.”
Dunk: The first 20 minutes were the best football we’ve played all season.
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk told Sky Sports: “The first 20 minutes were probably the best football we’ve played all season. Then they changed their press and we couldn’t quite deal with it. They went man-to-man and we just couldn’t quite figure out how to get out of there.”
“But while we were better in the first half, we had to dig deeper in the second half, which is always a tough place to come to.
“Sometimes you have to get a little ugly win and that’s what we did today. We had a lot to work out from last year and we were able to do it, so it feels good.”
Stefanos Tzimas celebrates doubling Brighton’s lead at Nottingham Forest
Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler told Sky Sports: “I’m very happy for the team and the staff for their hard work this week and throughout the game.
“We started really well, created chances, defended really well and deserved to take the lead.
“In the second half we struggled a little bit. Nottingham Forest had some real quality and we struggled a little bit, but we stuck together, defended together and attacked. In the end we deserved the win.”
