Brighton & Hove Albion have missed the opportunity to move up into the Premier League top four after being held to a 2-2 by Nottingham Forest at the Amex Stadium.
In an entertaining encounter, tempers flared late on with a flurry of red cards that saw both managers dismissed in the aftermath of Morgan Gibbs-White's sending off.
It was Nuno Espirito Santo's Forest side that took the early initiative, as Chris Wood's penalty but the visitors ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour.
Fabian Hurzeler saw his Brighton side fight back with two quick-fire goals from Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck late in the opening period though, as the Seagulls led at the break.
Welbeck was denied after a brilliant mazy run shortly after the interval, but the hosts paid the price for not getting a third goal, as they were caught out at the back for Forest's leveller.
Like was the case at Anfield last week, two substitutes combined for the Forest goal, as Jota Silva laid it on a plate for Ramon Sosa to score his first goal for the club in front of a delighted away end.
The game's big talking point came in the final 10 minutes though, as Gibbs-White was shown a second yellow card for an overzealous challenge on Joao Pedro, despite taking a huge chunk of the ball.
In the ensuing melee, both managers were sent off for their words and actions after the foul, but it had no effect on the final result as the game ended level.
BRIGHTON VS. FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
Wood goal vs. Brighton (13th min, Brighton 0-1 Forest)
Chris Wood makes no mistakes! 🌳 pic.twitter.com/3FCFYzijou
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
Forest stun the Amex! Carlos Baleba's rash challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi sees Rob Jones point to the spot, and Wood steps up to send Bart Verbruggen the wrong way, giving Forest an early lead.
Hinshelwood goal vs. Forest (42nd min, Brighton 1-1 Forest)
Jack Hinshelwood heads home his first goal of the season! 💥 pic.twitter.com/buDcqRp3nT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
Brighton are back on level terms and it is one of the smallest players on the pitch with a superb header! Jan Paul van Hecke's excellent delivery from the right-hand side is met by an unmarked Hinshelwood, who diverts his header out of reach of a full-stretch Sels.
Welbeck goal vs. Forest (45th min, Brighton 2-1 Forest)
Danny Welbeck is THAT GUY! 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
The Brighton striker continues his red-hot form with an immaculate free-kick 🚀 pic.twitter.com/NfisSt1bNg
Now that is a collectors item! Welbeck scores his first ever Premier League free kick, aiming keeper's side and leaving Sels rooted to the spot, with the Belgian stopper potentially unsighted by those in front of him.
Sosa goal vs. Brighton (70th min, Brighton 2-2 Forest)
A BIG first Forest goal for Ramón Sosa! 💫 pic.twitter.com/Ex9BXtzAf0
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
Against the run of play, Brighton are completely caught out at the back, as substitutes Jota Silva and Sosa race through on goal, with the former setting up the latter for an easy finish beyond Verbruggen.
Gibbs-White red card vs. Brighton (83rd min, Brighton 2-2 Forest)
Morgan Gibbs-White 🟥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2024
Nuno Espírito Santo 🟥
Fabian Hürzeler 🟥
CHAOS at the Amex! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iuigEZ5HiP
Choatic scenes at the Amex as Forest's talisman is dismissed for a second bookable offence, but with neither manager happy in the immediate aftermath, both Nuno and Hurzeler are also sent off!
MAN OF THE MATCH - MURILLO
© Imago
Apart from three frustrating first-half minutes, Forest defended expertly, and it was the Brazilian at the centre of that strong rearguard who excelled most, and even though the visitors were forced to see out the game with 10 men in the final moments of the match, Nuno's men hung on for a well-earned point.
BRIGHTON VS. FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton 70%-30% Forest
Shots: Brighton 13-4 Forest
Shots on target: Brighton 3-3 Forest
Corners: Brighton 9-1 Forest
Fouls: Brighton 12-10 Forest
BEST STATS
1 - Danny Welbeck has now scored 70 Premier League goals, but today was his first to come from a direct free-kick (4th direct free-kick shot). Unlikely. pic.twitter.com/zDACzLF0Kc
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 22, 2024
Four players have scored a penalty in the Premier League this season:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 22, 2024
◎ Lucas Paquetá
◎ Erling Haaland
◎ Jean-Philippe Mateta
◉ Chris Wood
This is the first one away from home. ⚽️#BHANFO pic.twitter.com/ZhPVBCnRz9
WHAT NEXT?
Brighton head to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in their next outing on Saturday in what will be a true test of their top-four credentials, while Forest will look to extend their unbeaten start when they host Fulham at the City Ground.
Andrew Delaney
