1 MARCH 2026
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1
PREMIER LEAGUE -
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
After their excellent win at Brentford last weekend, the Albion were back at the Amex for a Premier League clash with relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, the game being broadcast by BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Albion's last outing saw them enjoy a 2-0 success at Brentford in the Premier on the 21 February and for Forest's visit the Albion named an unchanged starting line-up from the Brentford game. On the substitutes bench for the Albion was Solly March, returning to the squad following a lengthy injury lay-off.
It was only the second time Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler had named an unchanged line-up during his time with the Albion.
In their previous game Forest had lost 1-2 at home to Fenerbache in a UEFA Europa League Play-Off Second Leg on the 26 February but had gone through 4-2 on aggregate.
For their visit to the Amex new Head Coach Vitor Pereira made seven changes to his starting line-up from the Fenerbache game, with Matz Sels, Ola Alna, Nikola Milenkovic, Ibrahim Sangara, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Igor Jesus replacing Stefan Ortega, Jair Cunha, Morata, Ryan Yates, James McAtee, Nicolas Dominguez and Lorenzo Lucca.
This was Pereira's fourth game in charge, the three previous Head Coach incumbents this season being Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season at The City Ground on the 30 November 2025 the Albion had achieved one of their best performances of the season, with their goals coming from Maxim De Cuyper (45+1m) and Stefanos Tzimas (88m). 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, with their goals being scored by Chris Wood (3 - 32m, 64m & 69m, penalty), Lewis Dunk (12m, own goal), Morgan Gibbs-White (25m), Neco Williams (89m) and Jota Silva (90+1m).
The Seagulls set their stall out from the start as Forest keeper Matz Sels saved from Kaoru Mitoma but on 6 minutes the hosts took the lead when Pascal Gross fed the in-form Diego Gomez on the right, the Paraguayan took a couple of steps before unleashing a superb low right-foot shot which flashed into the Forest net for Albion's opener. It was Gomez's tenth goal of the season in all competitions. 1-0.
Albion's lead didn't last long, as on 13 minutes Forest skipper Morgan Gibbs-White scored with a beauty from 25 yards out to put his team level. 1-1.
Within two minutes Albion had restored their lead as Mitoma's cross from the left was cushion-headed down by Jack Hinshelwood to Danny Welbeck who turned in the box before sending a right-foot shot past keeper Sels for Albion's second. It was Welbeck's 11th goal of the season (10 in the Premier). 2-1. The Seagulls were now dominating the action and Sels saved superbly from Mitoma and also kept out Hinshelwood's goal-bound header. A superb half by the Albion and they deservedly lead at the break.
Half-time 2-1.
The second-half opened with Albion on the offensive as Sels saved a free-kick taken by Gross. The Seagulls were clearly content to keep Forest at arms length and Albion's supporters gave a loud ovation to Solly March when he was introduced as a 86th minute substitute for Diego Gomez.
Final-score 2-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 14 attempts at goal, with 7 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
Nottingham Forest had 13 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 13.
VERDICT - Albion's unchanged team from the Brentford win continued their good form with a deserved win over the Forest. Diego Gomez and the evergreen Danny Welbeck were in the goals for the second week running. Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler seems to have appreciated that a settled team line-up usually gets results.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Mats WIEFFER (Joel VELTMAN 71), Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Ferdi KADIOGLU; James MILNER (Carlos BALEBA 86), Pascal GROSS; Diego GOMEZ (Solly MARCH 86), Jack HINSHELWOOD. Kaoru MITOMA (Maxim DE CUYPER 90+1); Danny WELBECK.
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Olivier BOSCAGLI, Yankuba MINTEH, Georginio RUTTER, Charalampos KOSTOULAS.
Nottingham Forest line-up (4-2-3-1):- Matz SELS; Ola ALNA (Dan ODOYE 82), Nikola MILENKOVIC, MURILLO, Neco WILLIAMS (Luca NETZ 56); Ibrahim SANGARA, Elliot ANDERSON; Omari HUTCHINSON (Jair CUNHA 56); Morgan GIBBS-WHITE (Capt), Callum HUDSON-ODOI (Dilane BAKWA 74); Igor JESUS (Taiwo AWONYI 83).
Subs not used: Angus GUNN (G/K), Nicolas DOMINGUEZ, James McATEE, Ryan YATES.
Referee: Andy Madley (West Yorkshire).
Fourth Official: Tom Nield.
VAR Official: Matthew Donohue.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 3 - Mats Wieffer. Lewis Dunk, Kaoru Mitoma.
Nottingham Forest: 1 - Elliot Anderson.
Possession: Albion - 53%. Nottingham Forest - 47%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Danny Welbeck (Albion).