Nottingham Forest vs Brighton Report

Scorers: Dunk (OG) 12’, Gibbs-White 25’, Wood 32’, 64’, 70’ (P), Williams 89’, Jota 90+1’

Nottingham Forest delivered a statement performance at the City Ground, thrashing Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0 in a resounding display that reaffirmed their credentials as top-four contenders and potential title challengers.

A Chris Wood hat-trick headlined the dominant victory, as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side bounced back in emphatic fashion following their previous setback against Bournemouth.

Forest Respond to Setback with Relentless Start

Following a humbling defeat in their last Premier League (PL) outing, Espírito Santo had called for a strong response from his players, and they delivered in spectacular fashion. The hosts took the lead in the 12th minute when Morgan Gibbs-White’s low cross forced Lewis Dunk into an own goal. The early breakthrough set the tone for a rampant Forest display.

Forest doubled their advantage just minutes later, with Gibbs-White turning from provider to scorer. The attacking midfielder glanced Anthony Elanga’s corner past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen at the near post, putting the Tricky Trees firmly in control.

Chris Wood Adds to Brighton’s Misery

The momentum remained firmly with Forest as they continued to carve open Brighton’s defence. Neco Williams and Chris Wood both came close to adding to the tally before the New Zealand striker eventually found the net. Elanga, who was proving to be a constant menace on the wing, provided a pinpoint cross, allowing Wood to head home and make it 3-0 before half-time.

Brighton, struggling to find any rhythm, nearly found a lifeline through Danny Welbeck, whose thunderous strike forced a superb save from Matz Sels. The Forest goalkeeper managed to tip the ball onto the underside of the bar, preserving the hosts’ commanding lead at the interval.

Second-Half Rout Ensues as Wood Completes Hat-Trick

Despite Brighton seeing more of the ball in the early moments of the second half, they failed to create clear chances against a disciplined Forest defence. The hosts, however, had no such trouble finding the net.

Elanga once again turned provider, racing down the byline before squaring the ball for Wood, who tapped home his second of the game from close range. The goal effectively ended Brighton’s resistance, but Forest were far from finished.

Just six minutes later, Tariq Lamptey’s foul on Gibbs-White inside the penalty area gifted Forest another chance to extend their lead. Wood stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick, completing his hat-trick and taking his PL tally to 17 goals for the season.

Forest Run Riot in the Final Stages

With the visitors now in complete disarray, Forest continued their attacking onslaught. Neco Williams added a sixth goal with a clinical finish inside the six-yard box, while Jota Silva rounded off a dream afternoon for the hosts by netting his first-ever Premier League goal late on.

The victory extends Forest’s formidable home form, with seven wins in their last nine matches at the City Ground. Meanwhile, Brighton endured their heaviest league defeat since 1958, a result that will undoubtedly leave Fabian Hürzeler’s men searching for answers.

Final Thoughts

Nottingham Forest’s 7-0 thrashing of Brighton not only solidifies their third-place position in the Premier League but also sends a message to their rivals about their growing ambitions. Chris Wood’s hat-trick and a masterclass from Anthony Elanga proved instrumental in dismantling the visitors, as Espírito Santo’s side delivered one of the most dominant performances of the season.

For Brighton, the heavy defeat serves as a stark reminder of the defensive frailties they must address. While their possession-based style saw them see plenty of the ball, their lack of cutting edge and defensive vulnerability left them exposed against a ruthless Forest attack.

As the season progresses, Forest will look to build on this commanding victory, while Brighton must regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks.

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Nottm Forest v Brighton, 2024/25 | Premier League