In a thrilling match that saw both Brighton and Nottingham Forest preserve their unbeaten Premier League records, one player and both managers were sent off.
The game, which featured four goals at the Amex Stadium, ended with controversy as Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White received a second yellow card for a sliding tackle on Brighton’s Joao Pedro.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler was then shown a red card by referee Rob Jones, followed shortly by Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo, both dismissed for their reactions to the incident.
Neither manager addressed the media post-match, leaving members of their coaching staff to speak on their behalf.
“From my point of view Morgan’s tackle looked a strong one but a fair one,” said Nottingham Forest assistant boss Rui Pedro Silva. “Of course the referee has a different point of view – we don’t have to agree but that’s the decision he made.
“On the coaches [red cards] I didn’t hear anything. It was an emotional moment. I didn’t hear anything from Nuno towards the referee. He was of course probably emotional but nothing more than his point of view.”
Brighton coach Andrew Crofts said he was “not 100% sure” why Hurzeler had been sent off, adding: “Their player is going for the ball but it felt like a foul. Their bench felt differently. I didn’t see too much of it but the referee sent the managers off.”
Thrilling entertainment on south coast
The visitors took the lead when former Brighton striker Chris Wood calmly converted a penalty after Carlos Baleba brought down Callum Hudson-Odoi in the box.
However, two goals in quick succession just before half-time appeared to change the game’s course.
Nineteen-year-old Jack Hinshelwood equalized for Brighton with a powerful header from Jan Paul van Hecke’s deep cross, marking his fourth goal for the club.
The Seagulls then went ahead in spectacular fashion as Danny Welbeck struck a brilliant 25-yard free-kick, curling it around the wall and leaving Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels with no chance.
Welbeck nearly added a third with a dazzling dribble past three Forest defenders, only to narrowly miss the target.
Forest found their equalizer in the 70th minute, breaking Brighton’s offside trap. Morgan Gibbs-White timed his run perfectly and selflessly passed to substitute Ramon Sosa, who netted his first goal in English football.
A win would have pushed either team into fourth place, but with the draw, Brighton stays in seventh, while Forest moves up to eighth.
Both sides continue to impress this season
Both teams have started the season well, each securing two wins and three draws from their five Premier League matches. Brighton has also advanced to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
The hosts began brightly, with Simon Adingra posing early threats, but his low, powerful cross from inside the box failed to find a teammate.
Forest entered the match on the back of an impressive 1-0 win at Liverpool, and Nuno’s side continued their streak of scoring first in every league match this season. Chris Wood, who had a loan spell at Brighton in 2010-11, confidently sent home goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Brighton issued a warning when Georginio Rutter spun and shot wide from 20 yards, and shortly after, Hinshelwood equalised with the Seagulls’ first shot on target.
Moments later, Danny Welbeck added his third goal of the season with a stunning free-kick.
Forest responded midway through the second half with an equaliser, and following three red cards, they had a late opportunity to steal the win. Sosa broke through on goal in injury time but overhit a pass to Hudson-Odoi instead of shooting. The chance was wasted, though an offside flag softened the disappointment.
In the end, a draw was a fair result after an action-packed match.
Player of the Match: Murillo.