Forest returned to winning ways on Wednesday evening at The City Ground, with Brighton & Hove Albion the visitors on Trentside.
Steve Cooper made two changes to the side that were beaten 3-2 at Anfield on Saturday with Serge Aurier returning from injury to captain the side in place of the injured Scott McKenna. Brennan Johnson also returned to the starting line-up, replacing Remo Freuler.
There was an early booking for centre half Feilpe from referee Jarred Gillett for his involvement in a scuffle between the two sides, but the Reds started brightly and had the better of the early chances. A trademark long throw in from Niakhaté was flicked on by Felipe and parried by Jason Steele before some good work down the right from Brennan Johnson forced an early corner for Forest as Taiwo Awoniyi looked to turn Johnson’s cross goal bound.
Forest were awarded a penalty in the 9th minute of the game after Estupiñán was adjudged to bring down Neco Williams inside the penalty area but Brennan Johnson’s resulting spot kick was saved by Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Forest kept pushing however and went close again on 13 minutes with a Danilo volley dipping inches wide of the post before Steve Cooper was forced into an early change with Moussa Niakhaté picking up a knock, being replaced by Joe Worrall.
Quickly after it was the visitors who started to create chances and Keylor Navas was called into action after some great work down the Brighton left hand side by Mitoma. The winger finally cut it back to Julio Enciso who’s shot on goal from 10 yards out was tipped over the bar by the outstretched Navas. Mitoma and Mac Allister were then able to register shots on target from range, but both their attempts were saved and held by the Costa Rican goalkeeper.
The next big chance of the game fell to Forest with Brennan Johnson bearing down on goal after Danilo did well to play the forward in, but Johnson was unable to trouble Steele and saw his shot go wide of the mark.
It was the visitors who took the lead though after Solly March’s bending effort was parried by Navas only to find the path of Facundo Buonanotte who was able to tap the ball into an empty net.
Determined to fight their way back into the game it was Forest who ended the half on top, seeing much of the ball, with efforts from Awoniyi and Danilo. Forest did then find an equaliser in stoppage time after a lovely passage of play involving Danilo and Morgan Gibbs-White finally found its way to Lodi out on the left who’s crossed was turned into the goal by Brighton player Pascal Groß.
Half-time: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
The first chance of the second half fell to Brighton with Enciso lashing a volley just wide of the mark before Joe Worrall got a vital toe in to deny the Paraguayan again as he looked to go one-on-one with Navas.
On 50 minutes though it was Forest who were looking to pose a threat with Neco Williams blasting a right footed effort just past the far post.
However, it was Brighton who created the next big chance and it looked like they might regain the lead with Buonanotte and Mitoma flooding forward in a two-on-one situation, but Mitoma fluffed his lines and put his effort wide with just Navas to beat.
There was a long stoppage as the game approached the hour mark with Neco Williams picking up a nasty injury which saw him leave the pitch via the stretcher and he was replaced by Cheikhou Kouyaté.
Forest had got a foothold in the game though and found themselves in front after 69 minutes through Danilo, scoring his first Premier League goal with a composed finish. The Brazilian did well to stride forward and shrug off his man before stroking the ball into the far corner past Steele.
Forest with their tails up and The City Ground in full voice then went close again as the game approached the final 15 minutes. Brennan Johnson did well to win back possession high up the pitch and Danilo picked out Gibbs-White who’s shot narrowly whistled over the top of the crossbar.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi decided to make a change on 75 minutes with Deniz Undav replacing Julio Enciso which prompted Steve Cooper to make a change of his own with André Ayew coming on to replace Taiwo Awoniyi.
With 5 minutes left on the clock, manager Steve Cooper looked to his bench again with Harry Toffolo coming on to replace Brennan Johnson. Brighton also opted to make a change with Buonanotte making way for Odeluga Offiah.
Forest were then awarded their second penalty of the game with 90 minutes almost on the clock. After a VAR check, the on-field referee agreed that Lewis Dunk had handled the ball in the area and Morgan Gibbs-White made no mistake from the spot, sending Steele the wrong way, as he tucked home his second goal for the Red in as many games.
10 minutes of stoppage time were added to the 90 as Brighton pushed to get themselves back into the game. Levi Colwill slid in at the back post from a deep in swinging corner but was unable to direct the ball on target.
Forest looked defensively strong as the Reds fought to see out added time. Brighton were able to carve out a couple of opportunities though. Lodi did well late on to deny Solly March making a last-ditch block on the line before Worrall deflected another Brighton effort out for a corner. From the resulting corner Brighton thought they had the ball in the back of the net, but Undav’s header was ruled out for offside before Keylor Navas was booked for time wasting.
The sound of the final whilstle queued loud roars from The City Ground faithful as Forest returned to winning ways and picked up a vital 3 points on the night.
Full-time: Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
LINE UPS:
Nottingham Forest: Keylor Navas, Neco Williams (Cheikhou Kouyaté 65’), Serge Aurier, Moussa Niakhaté (Joe Worrall 14’), Felipe, Renan Lodi, Danilo, Orel Mangala, Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson (Harry Toffolo 86’), Taiwo Awoniyi (André Ayew 80’)
Substitutes: Wayne Hennessey, Remo Freuler, Jesse Lingard, Sam Surridge, Emmanuel Dennis
Goals: Groß OG (45+3), Danilo (68’), Morgan Gibbs-White (90+1’)
Brighton & Hove Albion: Jason Steele, Lewis Dunk, Levi Colwill, Solly March, Alexis Mac Allister, Pascal Groß, Julio Enciso (Deniz Undav 75’), Kaoru Mitoma, Moisés Caicedo, Pervis Estupiñán (Danny Welbeck 73’), Facundo Buonanotte (Odeluga Offiah 88’)
Substitutes: Robert Sánchez, Adam Webster, Yasin Ayari, Billy Gilmour, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Joël Veltman
Goals: Facundo Buonanotte (38’)
Attendance: 28,808
Referee: Jarred Gillett