Brighton extended their resurgence with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at Amex Stadium. Danny Welbeck scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season as Brighton secured consecutive wins for the first time since November.
The match exploded early with three goals in the opening 15 minutes. Diego Gomez put Brighton ahead with an angled strike before Morgan Gibbs-White hammered in an equaliser from the edge of the box. Welbeck restored the lead just 105 seconds later with a clever turn and finish matching his tally from last season.
Brighton set the tempo thereafter and should have scored more. Forest struggled to create meaningful chances. The visitors pushed late but substitute Taiwo Awoniyi squandered their best opportunity heading wide.
The win moves Brighton up to 11th just three points behind eighth-placed Everton. It eases pressure on manager Fabian Hurzeler after recent unrest. Forest remain two points above the relegation zone still searching for Pereira’s first Premier League victory.
Survival Struggles and Injury Returns
Brighton looked goal-shy during their six-game winless run scoring just three times. Now they have four in their last two. They could have had more against Forest. Kaoru Mitoma missed a chance after Welbeck’s goal taking too many touches before Sels smothered. Sels denied Jack Hinshelwood’s diving header before the break and stopped Pascal Gross free-kick after restart.
The victory puts significant distance between Brighton and danger zone. Ten points separate them from 18th-placed West Ham. Solly March returned from serious knee injury in April 2025 replacing James Milner in 86th minute.
Forest’s lack of goals hurts under Pereira. Only bottom side Wolves have failed to score in more Premier League games this term than Forest. Gibbs-White remained their main threat but could not find second late. Igor Jesus has not replicated Europa League form in Premier League scoring twice compared to seven in Europe.
Pereira hopes imminent return of Chris Wood who scored 20 league goals last season but injured since October will boost survival bid.
