An Andrew Omobamidele own goal was the difference as Brighton and Hove Albion secured a rare clean sheet, defeating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the Amex Stadium on Sunday
Suddenly-leaky Brighton lost 4-0 at Roma on Thursday in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last 16 match, and that came on the heels of a 3-0 loss at Fulham, but Bart Verbruggen made four saves as the Seagulls get a well-earned clean sheet and third win from six Premier League games.
WATCH BRIGHTON vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST FULL MATCH REPLAY
Brighton had slipped to ninth on the Premier League table but rise into eighth and within a point of seventh with 42 points..
Nottingham Forest will be both frustrated and seething as Brighton were coming off a Thursday game and fortunate to finish with 11 men after Jakub Moder’s nasty challenge on Neco Williams. This came a week after the Tricky Trees lost late to Liverpool, helped in part by a wrongly-awarded goal kick to the Premier League leaders.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest are only three points clear of 17th-place Luton Town, who have a match-in-hand, and fear a points deduction at some point in the very near future.
Forest dry spell comes at the worst time
It’s been 312 minutes since Morgan Gibbs-White scored in Forest’s bid to come back at Villa Park in a six-goal Premier League thriller. Since then, the Tricky Trees have lost a trio of 1-0 games. There was an FA Cup ouster at home to Man United in which they took 16 shots and put five on goal. Then eight shots with just two on frame at home to Liverpool. But Sunday marked a team that let in four goals — albeit to Roma — on Thursday. Chances would come for Forest against the leggy Seagulls, yeah? Nine shots, four on target. There’s fortune in two of those games being unlikely wins, but this one stings a bit and Nuno Espirito Santo has to find a way to manufacture danger with Luton and Palace up next. Keeping Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi on the bench and deploying a tough septet at midfield and defense had its moments, but Divock Origi slowed after a bright start, Chris Wood struggled, and Morgan Gibbs-White was too often on the left without options other than hopeful crosses. Clock’s ticking, and will start move faster if a points deduction arrives at the City Ground.
What’s next?
Forest have a huge match at Luton Town on Saturday, then host Crystal Palace on March 30. You have to say it’s a piivotal point on the fixture list.
Brighton host Roma down 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday, then go to Liverpool on March 31.
How to watch Brighton vs Nottingham Forest live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET Sunday
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Brighton vs Nottingham Forest live updates! — By Nick Mendola
Brighton vs Nottingham Forest final score: 1-0
Goal: Omobamidele {o.g. 28')
Brighton vs Nottingham Forest player ratings (fotmob.com)
Brighton vs Nottingham Forest player ratings (fotmob.com)
Brighton vs Nottingham Forest player ratings (fotmob.com)
Red card review - Jakub Moder
VAR is having a long look at what was initially a yellow to Jakub Moder.
The Polish midfielder goes two-footed into Neco Williams, leaving the Forest player in a heap.
It seemed like the review could easily be a red card, but Moder dodges it.
Halftime — Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest has the best shot on target, as Bart Verbruggen made a nice save for the Seagulls, but it’s the Forest own goal that’s the difference at the Amex.
Brighton has 63% of the ball and a 7-3 edge on attempts but there hasn’t been much true danger from either side. No result assured here.
Omobamidele’s very unfortunate minute — Brighton 0-1 Forest (28th minute)
Andrew Omobamidele is already on yellow and could’ve been sent off for a rash challenge but only gets a warning.
Brighton get a reward anyway, as the swept-in free kick from an almost corner kick angle is headed into the Forest goal by.... Omobamidele. Mats Sels can’t get there, and it’s a pretty bad one for Forest.
Jakub Moder denied by Mats Sels
Polish international Jakub Moder’s had a frustrating season with injuries but nearly has a goal on his first Premier League start of the season.
Moder turns a header toward the far post but Mats Sels does very well to push it out for another set piece, which comes to nothing. 16th minute.
Underway and danger right away!
Pervis Estupinan chops down a driving Divock Origi just outside the 18 and Nottingham Forest have a dangerous early free kick.
Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen lines up his wall, and they’re active to block a short routine.
Tense atmosphere at Brighton
The Amex Stadium will be curious about its Seagulls, whose season wobbles have always been laid over the base of a tremendous European run. Now that Europa League campaign looks very weak, a 4-0 first leg loss to an experienced Roma putting he focus back on a Premier League season which includes only four wins since the start of December — Brentford, Spurs, Palace, and Sheffield United. Forest have won just once in 2024 — at home to West Ham — and have one more point from their other six games. Nuno Espirito Santo has to get more points with a rumored points deduction a distinct possibility. Tense times.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen, Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan, Baleba, Moder, Gross, Adingra, Fati, Ferguson.
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels, Murillo, Williams, Omobamidele, Danilo, Yates, Dominguez, Toffolo, Gibbs-White, Origi, Wood.
Brighton focus, team news
OUT: Kaoru Mitoma (lower back), Joao Pedro (hamstring), Solly March (knee), James Milner (thigh), Billy Gilmour (suspension), Jack Hinshelwood (ankle)
Nottingham Forest focus, team news
OUT: Chris Wood (thigh), Nuno Tavares (undisclosed), Ola Aina (unidsclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Nicolas Dominguez (thigh), Willy Boly (undisclosed)
