Brighton 2-1 Nottingham Forest: Chaotic Start Decides Clash at the Amex

Chaotic Opening 20 Minutes Decides the Game at the Amex Stadium

Nottingham Forest made it five Premier League matches without a win as they suffered a 2-1 away defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the American Express Stadium.

The Seagulls entered the game off the back of their first league win in seven matches and looked to build on their 2-0 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Forest arrived with just one win in their previous six Premier League games also a 2-0 victory at Brentford. Goalkeeper Matz Sels returned to the starting line-up after missing five matches in all competitions through injury.

Brighton made the perfect start, taking the lead inside six minutes.

Pascal Groß delivered a lofted ball to Diego Gómez, who struck a perfectly executed first-time volley into the far corner from a tight angle. It was back-to-back goals for the Paraguayan attacker.

Forest responded seven minutes later through Morgan Gibbs-White. The midfielder collected the ball over 25 yards out and rifled an unstoppable strike past Bart Verbruggen to level the score.

Parity lasted just two minutes.

Danny Welbeck restored Brighton’s lead with a classic striker’s finish, using his experience to guide a half-volley into the net from the edge of the six-yard box despite having his back to goal.

The chaos continued as Kaoru Mitoma nearly extended the lead moments later. A quick move sent him through one-on-one with Sels, but the Belgian goalkeeper produced a superb save.

Despite conceding twice, Matz Sels was Forest’s standout performer in the first half. He produced another magnificent save in the 35th minute to deny Jack Hinshelwood from point-blank range.

Without Sels, Brighton could have comfortably scored four in the opening 45 minutes.

The end-to-end rhythm continued into the second half, though clear-cut opportunities were fewer.

Forest threatened late on. In the 84th minute, a whipped free-kick found Taiwo Awoniyi, but the striker failed to direct his header on target.

Brighton held firm in the closing stages to secure back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since November.

The victory moves Brighton to within two points of the top 10 and 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

Forest’s defeat extends their worrying run of form. They remain just two points above West Ham with eight matches remaining this season.