Brighton & Hove Albion produced a performance of grit and flair to secure a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, a result that propels the Seagulls into fifth place in the Premier League table. On a bitingly cold afternoon at the City Ground, goals from the unlikely source of wing-playing left-back Maxim De Cuyper and a late strike from Stefanos Tzimas sealed a satisfying win that avenged a heavy defeat from the previous season.
Seagulls Dominate From the Start
The match began with Brighton exhibiting an intensity that Forest struggled to match. Within the first minute, Yankuba Minteh found himself one-on-one with Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, who was forced into an early, crucial save. This set the tone for a dominant opening quarter from the visitors.
Brighton targeted Forest's right flank relentlessly, where Maxim De Cuyper, deployed in an advanced role, caused constant problems for defender Nicolò Savona. The Belgian was a persistent threat, delivering a series of dangerous crosses into the box. By the 15-minute mark, Brighton had already registered seven attempts on goal, with Georginio Rutter seeing one effort heroically blocked on the line, underscoring their early supremacy against an error-strewn and lethargic Forest side.
Forest's Flicker of Hope Extinguished
As the half-hour mark approached, the home team finally began to stir. Morgan Gibbs-White sent a volley inches wide and then spurned a golden opportunity after beating the offside trap, his pass to Igor Jesus proving too powerful. This brief resurgence offered the City Ground faithful a glimmer of hope.
However, Brighton's pressure told in first-half injury time. After a free-kick was recycled, Bart Verbruggen found Georginio Rutter, who slipped a perfect pass to the unmarked Maxim De Cuyper. The makeshift winger kept his composure to slot the ball home and give the Seagulls a deserved lead at the break.
Forest manager Sean Dyche responded with a double substitution at half-time, introducing Omari Hutchinson and Callum Hudson-Odoi. The tactical change had an immediate impact, with the wingers adding much-needed invention and forcing Brighton onto the back foot. The home side's pressure nearly paid off when a Gibbs-White shot from a corner was deflected wide, but they were repeatedly denied by last-ditch defending.
Seagulls Seal the Points
Just as Forest were building momentum, Matz Sels was called upon to make two smart saves in quick succession to keep his team in the contest. The Belgian goalkeeper then embarked on a remarkable 40-yard dash out of his area to win the ball and start an attack that nearly culminated in an equaliser, only for Verbruggen to deny Igor Jesus at the other end.
With Forest pushing forward, Brighton capitalised on a mistake to put the game beyond doubt. In the 88th minute, Stefanos Tzimas pounced on an error by Morato to calmly finish and secure the three points for the visitors. The victory showcased both sides of Brighton's game: the explosive attacking play that defined their early dominance and the hardened, resilient defending required to see out a difficult period in the second half.
The result sees Brighton climb to fifth in the Premier League, a testament to their adaptability and quality, leaving manager Fabian Hürzeler with much to admire as he looks up the table.
