Brighton and Nottingham Forest extended their unbeaten Premier League runs following a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Amex Stadium. The match ended dramatically, with both teams having a player and their managers sent off in a contentious closing phase.
The match’s pivotal moment occurred when Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was handed a second yellow card for a late challenge on Brighton’s Joao Pedro. Tempers flared on both benches, leading to the dismissals of Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler and Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo by referee Rob Jones. Neither manager commented after the game, leaving their assistants to address the media.
Forest assistant Rui Pedro Silva defended Gibbs-White’s tackle, claiming, “It was strong but fair. The referee saw it differently, and we have to respect that decision.” Brighton coach Andrew Crofts admitted uncertainty over Hurzeler’s red card but noted, “It seemed like a foul, though their bench saw it otherwise.”
Early lead and quick Brighton response
The visitors opened the scoring when former Brighton striker Chris Wood calmly converted a penalty after Callum Hudson-Odoi was fouled in the box by Carlos Baleba. The goal ignited Forest’s hopes, but Brighton soon struck back.
Teenage midfielder Jack Hinshelwood brought Brighton level with a powerful header from a deep Jan Paul van Hecke cross, marking his fourth goal for the club. Moments later, Danny Welbeck completed the turnaround with a stunning 25-yard free-kick that curled past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, giving the Seagulls a 2-1 lead.
Welbeck nearly added to his tally with a superb solo run, dribbling past three defenders, but his shot narrowly missed the target.
Forest fight back to salvage a draw
Despite Brighton’s dominance, Nottingham Forest found a way back into the game. Morgan Gibbs-White broke through the Brighton defense with a perfectly timed run, squaring the ball to substitute Ramon Sosa, who calmly slotted home to make it 2-2. The goal marked Sosa’s first in English football.
Although either side could have risen to fourth with a victory, the result left Brighton in seventh place and Forest climbing to eighth.
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