Nuno Espírito Santo's tactical acumen was on full display as Nottingham Forest secured a remarkable win at Anfield last week, and his strategic decisions were again vindicated with a crucial equaliser at Brighton, maintaining both teams' unbeaten records this season. The Amex Stadium saw a fiery conclusion as tempers flared, leading to Morgan Gibbs-White's dismissal for a second booking and both Nuno and Brighton's manager, Fabian Hürzeler, being sent off for their intense reactions on the sidelines.
Chris Wood's early penalty ignited hopes of a fifth consecutive away victory for Forest, extending back to the end of last season. Brighton patiently waited but turned the game around with two goals just before halftime—a superb header from local teenager Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck's curling free-kick.
In the second half, Forest's substitutions paid off with Ramón Sosa scoring the equaliser. Gibbs-White's reckless challenge on João Pedro earned him a second yellow card, leading to his dismissal. Nuno's furious reaction resulted in a red card from referee Rob Jones, and Hürzeler was also sent off in the tumultuous finish.
Brighton made two changes to the team that drew with Ipswich, with Pervis Estupiñán and Simon Adringra replacing Yasin Ayari and Yankuba Minteh. João Pedro returned to the bench after missing the last two games due to injury. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga were promoted to the starting lineup in place of Ryan Yates and Nicolás Domínguez.
Brighton dominated early possession and nearly scored through Georginio Rutter's pass, but Adingra's shot went wide. Forest's first attack succeeded with Hudson-Odoi being fouled in the area, leading to Wood's penalty. Hudson-Odoi later set up Wood, whose shot went wide, but the offside flag saved him from embarrassment.
Brighton's frustration grew as they struggled to break down Forest's disciplined defence. Rutter's header from Estupiñán's corner went over the bar, and he later shot wide from the edge of the area.
Brighton's first shot on target was crucial, with Hinshelwood's header equalising before halftime. Welbeck's free-kick added a second goal, curving past the motionless Sels.
Nuno made halftime changes, introducing Jota Silva, Neco Williams, and Yates, aiming to shift the momentum. Paraguayan forward Sosa was also brought on to bolster the attack.
Kaoru Mitoma's presence on the left wing kept Brighton's pressure on, and Welbeck nearly scored again, but Sels made a crucial save. Minteh's header forced his own goalkeeper to prevent an own goal.
Forest's counterattacks remained threatening, and a combination of substitutes led to Sosa's equaliser. The late drama involving Gibbs-White and the managers concluded with Brighton starting the top-flight season unbeaten after five matches for the first time.
