Premier League GW13 - Nottm Forest vs Brighton

Drama Unfolds as Brighton Edges Nottingham Forest 3-2 in Thrilling Encounter

PREMIER LEAGUE 2023/24 SEASON

1/14/20244 min read

Nottm Forest vs Brighton | Picture Credits: Brighton Website

Fans were glued to their seats as Nottingham Forest and Brighton battled it out in a thrilling Premier League match at The City Ground. The thrilling match included spectacular goals, controversial calls, and heroics in the closing minutes of play, all of which culminated in a 3-2 Seagulls triumph.

Nottm Forest:

At The City Ground (W2 D3), Forest hosts the Seagulls in an attempt to maintain their perfect start to the season. Steve Cooper's team is now in 15th place in the Premier League standings, despite their strong home performance. However, if they win tonight, they might tie Chelsea for 10th place on points. After losing their most recent match prior to the international break to West Ham United, the Tricky Trees will be aiming to recover.

Brighton:

Brighton has not won in their previous six games (D4 L2), which is a poor run of form. If the Seagulls triumph at The City Ground, they would move up to ninth place in the standings and pass Manchester United, who are now in sixth place. In their most recent game, the Seagulls drew at home with struggling Sheffield United, but Roberto De Zerbi will be hoping for a different outcome Saturday. Expect plenty of goals, as Brighton has scored and given up in their last 16 Premier League games.

Line ups:

NOTTINGHAM FOREST Starting XI (4-1-4-1):
Odysseas Vlachodimos; Harry Toffolo, Murillo, Moussa Niakhate, Ola Aina; Orel Mangala; Anthony Elanga, Nicolas Dominguez, Danilo, Morgan Gibbs-White; Chris Wood.
Subs: Matt Turner, Neco Williams, Cheikhou Kouyate, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ryan Yates, Serge Aurier, Divock Origi, Gonzalo Montiel, Willy-Arnaud Boly.

BRIGHTON Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
Bart Verbruggen; Tariq Lamptey, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Joel Veltman; Billy Gilmour, Pascal Gross; Ansu Fati, Adam Lallana, Simon Adingra; Evan Ferguson.
Subs: Joao Pedro, Jakub Moder, Carlos Baleba, Jason Steele, Facundo Buonanotte, Jack Hinshelwood, Benicio Baker-Boaitey, Ben Jackson, Joshua Duffus.

The City Ground Stadium | Picture Credits: Nottingham Forest Conference & Events Website

First Half: Elanga's Bullet Header and Ferguson's Curler Set the Stage

With the intention of continuing their winning streak at home, Nottingham Forest took an early lead in the third minute of play. Gibbs-White's outstanding play on the right side created the opening for Elanga, who leaped unmarked to head home with force, giving Forest a 1-0 lead.

Brighton reacted with tenacity, and Fati was taken out in the 25th minute due to an injury. Still, the Seagulls were undeterred by this loss. Ferguson showed off his skill in the 34th minute, taking Gross's accurate pass and looping a spectacular effort past Vlachodimos to tie the score at one.

As the first half was coming to an end, Brighton took the lead. Gross sent in a precise cross in the forty-fiveth minute and four seconds later, and Joao Pedro soared majestically above Aina to head the ball into the bottom corner. Brighton had taken a 2-1 lead against the run of play, which added some surprise to the score at halftime.

Second Half: Joao Pedro's Penalty Extends Brighton's Lead

Brighton gained a penalty in the 56th minute as they carried over their momentum into the second half. Dunk was pulled down by Wood after Gilmour's cross found him, and a penalty was awarded. With poise, Joao Pedro took the ball and slotted it into the bottom corner to complete his brace and give Brighton a 3-1 lead.

VAR drama ensued in the 71st minute when Forest sought a penalty. After reviewing Hinshelwood's challenge on Hudson-Odoi, the referee checked the monitor and called a penalty. But moments later, Dunk was fired for dissension, dampening the celebration.

Under duress, Gibbs-White converted the penalty in the 76th minute to give Forest a 3-2 lead again.

In the final seconds, Forest pressed for an equalization. In the 87th minute, Gibbs-White, who was unmarked, was able to reach the goal with a misplaced header from Hudson-Odoi's cross. Yates scored with a powerful header in injury time, but Verbruggen made an outstanding stop to keep Forest from pulling off a thrilling equalizer.

Brighton Holds On

Brighton held on to earn a hard-fought 3-2 victory at The City Ground in spite of Forest's late charge. Brighton's six-game losing record was snapped with the victory, and their next matchup against Chelsea will be tough. Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, shown tenacity and attacking ability despite the loss. The team led by Steve Cooper will be hoping to recover as they get ready to play Everton in their next Premier League match.

After a thrilling game full of turns, goals, and late drama, Brighton won, and supporters are already looking forward to the next round of Premier League action. Until then, good bye!