30 NOVEMBER 2025
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2
PREMIER LEAGUE
at THE CITY GROUND, NOTTINGHAM.
Matchday 13 saw Albion travel to Sherwood Forest territory to meet Nottingham Forest in the Premier at The City Ground, the game being covered "live" by Sky Sports and being broadcast by BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Last time out in the Premier the Albion had won 2-1 at home to Brentford on the 22 November and for their visit to Forest the Albion made one change to their starting line-up from the Brentford game, with Maxim De Cuyper coming in for Carlos Baleba in midfield, the latter dropping down to the substitutes bench.
Last season the Albion had suffered a 0-7 drubbing at the hands of Forest, so were looking to rectify matters on this visit to The City Ground.
In their previous outing in the Premier Forest had recorded an excellent 3-0 win at Liverpool on the 22 November and for Albion's visit Forest had to make one enforced change to their starting line-up from the Liverpool game, with Morata replacing the injured Murillo at centre-back. Subsequent to the Liverpool game, on the 27 November, Forest played Malmo FF at home in the UEFA Europa League, League Phase and comfortably beat the Swedish side 3-0.
Sean Dyche had been appointed Head Coach at Forest 40 days ago, the third appointment of the season, the previous incumbents being Ange Postecoglou and Nuno Espirito Santo.
Last season's meetings in the Premier between the teams saw them draw 2-2 at the Amex on the 22 September 2024, with Albion's goals coming from Jack Hinshelwood (42m) and Danny Welbeck (45m), whilst Forest's goals came from Chris Wood (13m, penalty) and Ramon Sosa (70m).
In the return game at The City Ground on the 1 February 2025, Forest thumped Albion 0-7!!!!!
Determined to reverse last season's heavy defeat, the Albion swarmed all over Forest from the first whistle. In the first twenty minutes Albion created no fewer than nine chances through Mats Wieffer, Ferdi Kadioglu, Diego Gomez, Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter and Maxim De Cuyper.
Albon's efforts were thwarted by some fine saves by Forest keeper Mats Sels, goal-line clearances and some near misses. After the initial Albion onslaught a rare counter by Forest saw Nicolas Dominguez find Morgan Gibbs-White whose shot just missed the target.
Deservedly, the Seagulls did take the lead at the end of the first-half when Rutter's neat pass found De Cuyper in the box and the midfielder scored with a right-foot shot to put the Albion ahead. 1-0. The Seagulls should have been more than one goal in front at the break.
Half-time 1-0.
It was Forest on the front foot at the start of the second-half but it was the Albion who forced keeper Sels to make a double save to deny Gomez and Kadioglu. Next, it was Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen who made an excellent save to keep out Igor Jesus's effort. The hosts were a different proposition this half but the Albion defence, lead by Captain Lewis Dunk held out admirably. With two minutes remaining substitute Brajan Gruda nicked the ball off defender Morata, the ball then fell to fellow substitute Stefanos Tzimas and the 19 year-old Greek striker prodded the ball home for Albion's second and his first Premier League goal. 2-0.
Sweet revenge for the Albion for last season's result.
Final-score 2-0.
Match stats:
Albion had 17 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
Forest had 19 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 9 corners, free-kicks conceded - 11.
VERDICT - After last season's heavy loss, Albion deservedly changed their fortunes with a superb win at The City Ground. Albion outplayed Forest first-half and could so easily have been four goals up at the break. It was good to see young Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas notch his first Premier League goal.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Mats WIEFFER, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Ferdi KADIOGLU; Yasin AYARI, Diego GOMEZ (Joel VELTMAN 84); Yankuba MINTEH (Brajan GRUDA 84), Georginio RUTTER (Jack HINSHELWOOD 56), Maxim DE CUYPER (Carlos BALEBA 84); Danny WELBECK (Stefanos TZIMAS 65).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Olivier BOSCAGLI, Diego CPOLA, Charalampos KOSTOULAS.
Nottingham Forest line-up (4-2-3-1):- Mats SELS; Nicola SAVONA, Nikola MILENKOVIC, MORATA, Neco WILLIAMS; Ibrahim SANGARA (Ryan YATES 74), Elliot ANDERSON; Dan NDOYE (Omari HUTCHINSON 46), Morgan GIBBS-WHITE (Capt) (James McATEE 85), Nicolas DOMINGUEZ (Callum HUDSON-ODOI 46); Igor JESUS (Arnaud KALIMUENDO 75).
Subs not used: John VICTOR (G/K), Zach ABBOTT, Jair CUNHA, Willy BOLY.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall.
VAR Official: Michael Salisbury.
Yellow Card: Albion: 1 - Mats Wieffer.
Possession: Albion - 48%. Forest - 52%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Lewis Dunk (Albion).
Attendance: 30522 (including 3028 Albion fans).
Attendance - Albion v. Brentford, 22 November 2025: 31358.
NEXT GAME:
7 DECEMBER 2025 - WEST HAM UNITED - HOME - PREMIER LEAGUE -
KICK-OFF 14.00. "LIVE" ON SKY SPORTS.
Jack Kaye.