London, Feb 1: Nottingham Forest delivered a resounding response to their humiliating 5-0 defeat against Bournemouth last weekend, bouncing back in spectacular fashion with a record-breaking 7-0 demolition of Brighton at the City Ground.
Premier League
The emphatic win not only marked Forest’s biggest-ever victory in the Premier League but also demonstrated their resilience under Nuno Espírito Santo, who orchestrated a ruthless attacking display in front of the home crowd. The triumph lifted Forest level on points with second-placed Arsenal, while Brighton were left reeling from a disastrous night in Nottingham.
Forest’s Fast Start Leaves Brighton Stunned
Determined to put the painful Bournemouth result behind them, Forest came out firing from the outset. Their early pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Brighton captain Lewis Dunk inadvertently deflected Morgan Gibbs-White’s low cross into his own net while attempting to clear the danger. The goal set the tone for what would turn into a relentless attacking performance by the hosts.Forest doubled their lead just nine minutes later through Gibbs-White, who met Anthony Elanga’s well-delivered corner with a deft glancing header, sending the City Ground into raptures. Brighton struggled to recover from the early setbacks, and matters worsened in the 31st minute when Chris Wood got on the scoresheet. The New Zealand international nodded home Elanga’s pinpoint cross to register his 15th Premier League goal of the season—his highest tally in a single campaign.
Brighton’s Frustration Mounts as Forest Take Full ControlDespite their defensive struggles, Brighton had opportunities to get on the scoresheet before halftime. Young winger Yankuba Minteh found himself through on goal but could only fire straight at Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels. Danny Welbeck also came agonizingly close, but his powerful effort crashed off the underside of the crossbar and bounced away, summing up Brighton’s misfortunes.
With his team trailing 3-0, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler attempted to stem the tide with a triple substitution at halftime, introducing fresh legs in the hope of mounting a response. However, Forest remained relentless and continued their onslaught in the second half.
Chris Wood Completes Hat-Trick
The home side picked up right where they left off, with Wood adding his second goal of the night in the 64th minute. Elanga, who had been a constant threat down the wing, provided yet another assist as Wood tapped in from close range to extend Forest’s lead to 4-0.
Barely five minutes later, Tariq Lamptey’s challenge on Gibbs-White inside the penalty area gifted Forest another golden opportunity. Wood stepped up to the spot and coolly sent Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way, securing his hat-trick and cementing his place in Forest’s history books. The 33-year-old became the first Nottingham Forest player to score a home hat-trick since Nigel Clough achieved the feat in December 1987 against Queens Park Rangers.
Night to Remember for Forest
Forest’s dominance did not wane as they continued to pile the misery on Brighton. In the 79th minute, Welsh full-back Neco Williams pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area and smashed home to make it 6-0.
The final nail in Brighton’s coffin came deep into stoppage time when substitute Jota Silva capitalized on a misplaced pass from Verbruggen, drilling a low shot into the back of the net to complete the 7-0 rout. (Agencies)
