A L B I O N R E P O R T - ( xii )
25 NOVEMBER 2023 - #
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2 ( Anthony Elanga Morgan Gibbs-White 1
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 ( Joao Pedro 2 Evan Ferguson 1
PREMIER LEAGUE - at THE CITY GROUND, NOTTINGHAM.
Following the third international break the Albion were off to Sherwood Forest territory to meet Nottingham Forest in the Premier at The City Ground, the match being broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Having failed to win in their previous six Premier games, Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made five changes to his starting line-up from the team which had drawn 1-1 with Sheffield United at the Amex on the 12 November, with Bart Verbruggen, Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Tariq Lamptey and Evan Ferguson coming in for Jason Steele, Adam Webster, Igor Julio, Mahmoud Dahoud and Facunda Buonanotte.
Last time out Forest had lost 2-3 at West Ham United on the 12 November and for Albion's visit to The City Ground Head Coach Steve Cooper made two changes to his starting line-up from the West Ham game, with Oliveira Danilo and Chris Wood replacing Ibrahim Sangare and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Forest were unbeaten at The City Ground so far this season, so Albion were in for a tough gig!
In their meetings last season, the teams drew 0-0 at the Amex on the 18 October 2022 and in the return game at The City Ground on the 26 April 2023 Forest ran out 3-1 winners, with their goals coming from Pascal Gross, own goal (45+3m), Oliveira Danilo (69m) and Morgan Gibbs-White, penalty (90+1m). Albion's consolation came from Facunda Buonanotte (38m).
Forest got off to a flying start as with only three minutes on the clock Morgan Gibbs-White got free on the right from whence he sent a cross to the far post where Anthony Elanga was on hand and unmarked to send a bullet header past Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal. 0-1.
This setback didnt deter the Seagulls and a fine team move ended with Billy Gilmour firing in a right-foot shot, which was easily held by Forest keeper Odysseas Viachodimos. The Albion lost the services of Barcelona Loanee Ansu Fati to injury on 20 minutes, Joao Pedro substituting. The visitors deservedly drew level on 26 minutes when Pascal Gross's pass found Evan Ferguson on the edge of the Forest area and the 19 year-old calmly slotted a low right-foot shot into the net for a fine equaliser. 1-1.
Gibbs-White then tried his luck but Albion keeper Verbruggen made a fine save to block the Forest striker's close-range shot. Tariq Lamptey's return to the fold ended on 34 minutes when the unlucky defender sustained yet another injury, with youngster Jack Hinshelwood substituting at left-back.
Deep into first-half time added on the Albion took the lead when Gross crossed from the right and there was substitute Pedro, who evaded his marker, to send an excellent header into the Forest net. 2-1.
The Seagulls deservedly lead at the interval. Half-time 2-1.
The Albion made a great start to the second-half when Chris Wood was adjudged to have fouled Pedro in the area and after a VAR check Pedro calmly fired home the resultant penalty-kick. 3-1.
On 75 minutes, Referee Anthony Taylor waved aside Forest's claims for a penalty when Hinshelwood appeared to have fouled Callum Hudson-Odoi in the box and VAR ruled for a penalty but before the kick could be taken Albion Captain Lewis Dunk was shown a yellow card for his protests and seconds later Dunk received a straight red card for using foul and abusive language towards Referee Taylor.
Thedelay didnt affect Gibbs-White who converted the penalty. 3-2. After being out injured for nineteen months or so Jakub Moder was introduced as a substitutefor Ferguson on 77 minutes. Prior to the end there were escapes at both ends with keeper Vlachodimos holding on to Jan Paul Van Hecke's header and Verbruggen made a fine save to deny Hudson-Odoi. 10-man Albion managed to keep Forest at bay for the final frantic minutes, with Van Hecke outstanding at the heart of the Albion defence.
Final-score 3-2.
Match stats:
Albion had 11 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 7.
Nottingham Forest had 18 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
TO SUM UP - A dramatic afternoon at The City Ground, Nottingham ended with Albion achieving an excellent 3-2 win, despite Captain Lewis Dunk stupidly getting himself sent-off. Jan Paul Van Hecke was excellent at the heart of the Albion defence and up-front strikers Evan Ferguson and Joao Pedro came up with the goods and the goals.
Next, the Albion have a European trip to AEK Athens - - my how the club has progressed!
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart Verbruggen; Joel Veltman, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Tariq Lamptey (Jack Hinshelwood 34); Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour (Carlos Baleba 77); Simon Adringa, Adam Lallana (Facunda Buonanotte 46), Ansu Fati (Joao Pedro 21); Evan Ferguson (Jakub Moder 77).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Benicio Baker-Boaltey, Ben Jackson, Joshua Duffus.
Nottingham Forest line-up (4-1-4-1):- Odysseas Vlachodimos; Ola Alna (Neco Williams 90), Moussa Niakhate, Santiago Murillo, Harry Toffolo; Orel Mangala; Morgan Gibbs-White, Oliveira Danilo (Callum Hudson-Odoi 63), Nicolas Dominguez (Ryan Yates 69), Anthony Elanga; Chris Wood (Divock Origi 63).
Subs not used: Matt Turner (G/K), Cheikhou Kouyate, Serge Aurier, Gonzalo Montiel, Willy Boly.
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester).
Red Card: Albion: 1 - Lewis Dunk.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 5 - Bart Verbruggen, Lewis Dunk, Simon Adringa, Facunda Buonanotte, Evan Ferguson.
Nottingham Forest: 2 - Moussa Niakhate, Harry Toffolu.
Possession: Albion - 53%. Nottingham Forest - 47%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Billy Gilmour (Albion).
Attendance: 29404 (including 2880 Albion fans).
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
30 NOVEMBER 2023 - AEK ATHENS - away - Europa League - kick-off 17.45. "Live" on TNT Sports 2.
3 DECEMBER 2023 - CHELSEA - away - Premier League - kick-off 14.00.
Jack Kaye.
29 November 2023.