Brighton ended Nottingham Forest’s five-match unbeaten streak with a 2-0 victory at the City Ground.
Brighton controlled large periods, particularly the opening 20 minutes when they attempted nine shots — their most in the first 20 minutes of any Premier League match — before taking the lead just before half-time. Georginio Rutter picked out Maxim De Cuyper, who was unmarked in the box and swept home from close range.
Forest rallied after the break and outshot Brighton 11-4 in the second half, but a defensive error proved decisive. Morato’s pressured backward pass inside his own box was intercepted by Brajan Gruda, who tried to round Matz Sels. Sels produced a fine initial stop, but the rebound fell to 19-year-old Stefanos Tzimas, who poked in to make it 2-0.
Earlier Sels had made a crucial double save to deny Diego Gomez and Ferdi Kadioglu, while Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen also kept Forest at bay with a save from Igor Jesus. Despite Sels helping to spark attacks from the back, Forest couldn’t find the cutting edge that had marked their recent results.
The result moves Brighton up to fifth in the Premier League and helps expunge memories of last season’s 7-0 defeat at the City Ground. Forest remain 16th, one point above the relegation zone.
Team news
– Morgan Gibbs-White returned to the starting XI after missing the Malmo game with a back issue. Murillo was absent through injury, with Morato coming in.
– Brighton made two changes: Lewis Dunk returned after illness and Maxim De Cuyper started on the left; Olivier Boscagli and Carlos Baleba were among the substitutes.
Tactical note and key performers
Maxim De Cuyper was influential from a more advanced left-sided role, creating four chances and attempting four crosses — finishing as Brighton’s Man of the Match. Brighton’s early intensity and tactical tweak on the left paid off, giving them the platform to press and create the openings that produced the first goal.
Forest’s defensive reshuffle in Murillo’s absence was noticeable: Morato’s mistake led directly to Brighton’s second. Sean Dyche will be hoping Murillo recovers quickly ahead of a crucial midweek trip to winless Wolves.
Managers’ reactions
Sean Dyche said the opening 20 minutes were “really poor,” suggesting Forest waited for the game to come to them. He felt the team dominated much of the remainder and showed encouraging signs, but conceded a late mistake proved costly and stressed the need to convert positive performances into wins.
Lewis Dunk reflected that Brighton’s first 20 minutes was perhaps their best football of the season, admitting Forest’s change of press in the game’s later stages made it harder to build out. He added that sometimes you have to “win a bit ugly,” and that taking the victory was important after last season’s heavy loss at Nottingham.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler praised his players and staff for their work during the week and in the match, saying the team defended and attacked together and deserved the win despite some second-half difficulties.
Stats and facts
– Brighton attempted nine shots in the opening 20 minutes — a club record for that period in a Premier League match.
– De Cuyper created 4 chances and attempted 4 crosses; he was named Player of the Match.
– Brighton climb to fifth; Nottingham Forest remain 16th.
Player ratings (Sky Sports)
Nottingham Forest: Matz Sels 7; Savona 6, Milenkovic 6, Morato 4, Williams 6; Sangare 7, Anderson 7, Ndoye 6, Gibbs-White 7, Dominguez 6, Jesus 5. Subs: Hudson-Odoi 7, Hutchinson 7, Yates 6, Kalimuendo 6, McAtee (n/a).
Brighton: Bart Verbruggen 7; Maxim De Cuyper 8, Van Hecke 7, Lewis Dunk 7, Kadioglu 7, Wieffer 6, Ayari 6, Simon Adingra/Minteh 6, Rutter 6, Gomez 6, Danny Welbeck 5. Subs: Hinshelwood 6, Stefanos Tzimas 7, Baleba (n/a), Veltman (n/a), Gruda (n/a).
What’s next
– Nottingham Forest fixtures
– Brighton fixtures
– Premier League fixtures