The City Ground initiated matchweek 24 proceedings. Both Forest and Brighton recently suffered defeats, Forest more heavily. This game had a large incentive to win, as both teams needed to positively respond from recent setbacks and challenge for Europe. Forest had the opportunity to equal Arsenal’s points tally in joint 2nd, with Brighton having the opportunity to move into 8th.

The beginning of the match reassembled many of Forest’s performances. The home side allowed Brighton possession, setting up with a compact structure intending to counter Brighton’s attacking numbers. It was Danilo’s second appearance of the season after returning from a broken ankle sustained on the opening day. The Brazilian midfielder received the ball in midfield before switching a pass out wide to Gibbs-White, Forest’s number 10 carried the ball powerfully towards goal before zipping a ball across the face of goal, forcing Brighton defender Lewis Dunk into an own goal, gifting Forest the opener. Confidence was growing within the forest team as a routined corner kick saw captain Gibbs-White double the home side’s lead with a near post header. Suffering did not end for the seagulls as just 7 minutes after the second goal, Chris Wood was found at the back post by Anthony Elanga making it 3-0 in 32 minutes. Brighton eventually regained composure, ending the first half well. Danny Welbeck was centimetres away from scoring after crashing the crossbar from a strike on the edge of the box.

Fabian Hurzeler wanted change, 3 substitutions were made at half time introducing Adingra for the Saudi linked Mitoma, as well as O’Riley and Gomes in midfield. The changes had a positive impact on the game, Brighton were mounting pressure on the home side containing them in their own half.  However, Brighton were unable to make their control count, Elanga and Wood combined again making it 4-0 in front of the Trent End putting the game out of sight. Forest wanted to pay off their debt after a 5-0 loss away to Bournemouth, and became successful in doing so. Wood stepped up to the penalty spot after Gibbs-White was bundled down with an opportunity to collect his second match ball as a Forest player. There was no doubt, Wood confidently finished into the bottom right corner scoring his 17th goal of the season. The game fell into a stalemate until tiredness saw mistakes beginning to occur. Neco Williams scored his first City Ground goal from point blank range inflicting more pain upon Brighton. Jota Silva punished a Verbruggen mistake, making this performance Forest’s biggest win in the top flight since 1991.

Forest are the second team in top flight history to lose a game by 5+ goals and respond immediately, winning the following game by 5+ goals. The result has given Forest a firmer grip on European chances whilst damaging Brighton’s own.