Nottingham Forest player ratings as Sels questioned but subs shine in Brighton draw

Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest scores his team's first goal, from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Nottingham Forest
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Nottingham Forest came away with a point from a dramatic 2-2 draw at Brighton and Hove Albion as they extended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

Chris Wood and Ramon Sosa scored for the visitors to make it five games without defeat at the start of the league campaign. They had to survive a nervy finale, though, as Morgan Gibbs-White was sent off late on.

The Reds had got off to the perfect start on the south coast. Wood fired them in front from the penalty spot with little more than 10 minutes on the clock after Callum Hudson-Odoi had been clipped by Carlos Baleba.

Having looked a little unsettled in the first few minutes, it was just what Forest needed. They had chances to build on that opener, with Wood’s blushes spared by the offside flag when he swept an effort wide and Gibbs-White thwarted by Bart Vertbruggen shortly after.

However, Brighton turned the game around with two quick goals just before the break. Jack Hinshelwood powered in a free header to equalise, then Danny Welbeck curled in a free-kick three minutes later to make it 2-1.

The visitors started the second half off the pace and they needed a good save by Sels to deny Welbeck and keep them in the game. It proved a big moment as Sosa equalised with 20 minutes to go after being played in by fellow substitute Jota Silva.

Forest were forced to see out the game with 10 men when Gibbs-White was sent off for a second bookable offence. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo was also dismissed for his angry reaction as the visitors protested Gibbs-White had got the ball when challenging Joao Pedro. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the Amex Stadium.

Matz Sels: Positioning was all wrong for Welbeck’s free-kick; not really sure what he was doing. Both goals were disappointing ones to give away. Rating: 5/10

Ola Aina: Cheap foul given away proved costly as Welbeck found the net from the resulting set-piece. Not quite at the same level as last weekend’s performance at Anfield. Rating: 6/10

Nikola Milenkovic: Made some important interventions and clearances as Brighton put the Reds under pressure at times. A difficult test for the visitors, but they will be pleased with a point. Rating: 7/10

Murillo: Had a fair bit to do defensively but still found time to showcase his passing skills. Played a lovely ball to Hudson-Odoi in the first half which led to a chance for Gibbs-White. Rating: 7.5/10

Alex Moreno: Both full-backs had their work cut out from the start as Brighton put in plenty of crosses. Had generally coped well, though, so substitution was a little odd - unless he had picked up a knock. Rating: 7.5/10

James Ward-Prowse: Didn’t do a lot wrong, but even when Forest were in front the midfield looked in need of shoring up. Keeping the ball was a challenge for much of the afternoon. Rating: 7/10

Elliot Anderson: Showed some lovely touches when the Reds were on top in the first half after going in front. Wasn’t the only one to emerge for the second half not quite switched on. Made way as Nuno tried to get back into the game. Rating: 7/10

Callum Hudson-Odoi: Pretty lively. Had more joy playing on the right than Elanga did on the left in the first half. Won the Reds a penalty and got in a few times after that, too. Rating: 7.5/10

Morgan Gibbs-White: Forest were fuming at his red card, especially as referee Rob Jones initially seemed to indicate he had got the ball. A shame as had been having a good game, playing some lovely passes. Rating: 7.5/10

Anthony Elanga: Took up position on the left rather than his usual spot on the right as Nuno tried to catch the hosts unawares. Pace threatened to cause Brighton problems but wasn’t quite as effective on that flank. Rating: 6.5/10

Chris Wood: Gibbs-White was so confident the Reds striker would bag his third goal of the season that he seemed to be celebrating before the ball had even hit the back of the net. Cool as you like from the spot. Rating: 7.5/10

Subs

Neco Williams (for Moreno, 46mins): Booked barely a minute after entering the fray, which made for a tricky afternoon. Had some tough moments. Rating: 6/10

Ryan Yates (for Ward-Prowse, 46mins): Had to dig in at times in the second half. Perhaps Forest had missed his willingness to scrap in the opening 45 minutes. Rating: 6.5/10

Jota Silva (for Elanga, 46mins): Kept his composure to play in Sosa for the equaliser after a burst of pace. Tried his luck himself soon after, too. Rating: 7.5/10

Ramon Sosa (for Anderson, 59mins): Calm finish from close range to complete a lovely move by the Reds. Combined well with Jota as the substitutes made a difference. Rating: 7.5/10

Morato (for Wood, 72mins): Brought on as Nuno shuffled his pack and changed formation. Helped to see out the final minutes when the Reds were down to 10 men. Rating: 6.5/10

Subs not used: Miguel, Awoniyi, Dominguez, Moreira.

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