How dramatic draw shows Nuno's Nottingham Forest are a different prospect this season
Latest Nottingham Forest verdict as Nuno Espirito Santo's Reds draw 2-2 with Brighton and Hove Albion
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveThere was one clear talking point after Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw at Brighton and Hove Albion, but the main topic of conversation arguably should have been about something else.
The post-match chatter about referee Rob Jones, three red cards and what appeared to be some perplexing flip-flopping rather overshadowed how this was a very good point for the Reds. Five games into the Premier League season, they are still unbeaten. Easy to forget that fact amid the dramatic end to Sunday’s game.
The Forest of the last two campaigns might not have come through the test at the Amex Stadium with anything to show for their efforts. This group, though, are made of stern stuff.
It might not have been a fifth consecutive league win on the road, but in its own way the stalemate on the south coast was evidence of how Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are a different prospect this term. Below, we take a look at some of the big talking points from the game.
Seeing red
Prior to Sunday, Jones was known among Reds fans as the man who sent off Willy Boly for THAT incident against Bournemouth last December. The incident in question being the one where Boly cleanly won the ball in a tackle and was actually fouled himself.
Jones might well be best remembered for another contentious decision now. Not just for the actual call he made, but also for the way he came about it.
You could argue Morgan Gibbs-White gave the official a decision to make with his challenge on Joao Pedro in the 83rd minute, especially as he was already on a booking. But what really rankled the visitors was that Jones originally made the shape of a ball with his hands to indicate a clean tackle, then seemingly changed his mind.
“I haven’t had the chance to see the picture and didn’t see that,” Forest assistant coach Rui Pedro Silva said afterwards, rather diplomatically. “If he (Jones) makes that sign to show the ball, maybe go through with his decision. But I didn’t see the image.”
Rui was also unsure why Nuno was sent off. The Reds head coach was clearly fuming about Gibbs-White’s dismissal, but his right-hand man insisted he heard nothing that would justify a red card. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was also dismissed.
A statement on the Premier League Match Centre X account read: “The referee issued a second yellow card to Gibbs-White for a reckless challenge on Pedro. Fabian Hurzeler and Nuno Espirito Santo were both sent off for their unacceptable technical area behaviour following the incident. There was no VAR involvement in the Gibbs-White second yellow card as per VAR protocol.”
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Strength in depth
Not so long ago, the prospect of the Reds being without Gibbs-White might have induced a sense of panic. After all, he is generally the one who makes the team tick.
His suspension against Fulham is a blow, but Forest have already shown they have strength in depth this season thanks to some excellent summer recruitment. Others are capable of stepping up. Jota Silva could take up the No.10 role, as could Elliot Anderson or even James Ward-Prowse. Nuno also has enough options to tweak formation, should he wish.
Just as against Liverpool, the strength of the bench was on show at Brighton. The Reds have players who can come on and change a game.
Nuno has sometimes been guilty of leaving it too late to make changes. Not this time. He made three at half-time and another on the hour mark.
The choice of personnel to depart was a bit of a surprise and raised eyebrows. Alex Moreno and Ward-Prowse were two of those brought off at the break but neither could be accused of having bad games. Moreno, in particular, had actually done pretty well.
On came Neco Williams and Ryan Yates, along with Silva in place of Anthony Elanga. Ramon Sosa entered the fray soon after, with Anderson the man to make way.
At first, the reshuffle seemed to have the opposite effect to what was intended. The Reds were off the pace early in the second half and struggled to find any rhythm.
Had Nuno got it wrong? Jota and Sosa provided the answer to that. The duo combined with 20 minutes to go and the latter found the back of the net - just as Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi had done when they came off the bench against Liverpool. It wasn’t a winning goal on this occasion, unlike at Anfield, but it was still a big one.
Spirit on show
Forest were not necessarily at their best at the Amex, certainly they didn’t play as well as they have shown they can. They did have some very positive moments, though, and could have extended their advantage after being given the lead by Chris Wood’s penalty. With a little more composure, they could have created even more chances.
Going in at 2-1 down was still a kick in the teeth. Moreno summed up the feeling in the away camp as he was visibly frustrated as he headed down the tunnel.
When Brighton emerged for the second half with their tails up and the Reds were not quite at the races, that could have signalled game over for Nuno’s men. In the past, that might well have been the case.
But this Forest team can dig in. They have a steely resolve which will serve them well for the months ahead, and taking a point from games such as this will only add to the sense of belief.
They rode out a tricky spell and remained confident that a chance would come. They could even have won it. Sosa was left thumping the ground in anguish when he was unable to make the most of an opportunity late on, although the offside flag might have thwarted him anyway. Nevertheless, it was testament to the way the visitors continued to push right to the end.
Keeping it going
Assistant coach Rui said the Reds had headed south with one thought in mind. “We came here with a plan, which was to try to keep the winning mentality of the team,” he said.
Forest had plenty of positives to build on from their brilliant 1-0 win at Liverpool a week earlier. Sunday was a different kind of game and a different kind of test, but to emerge with a point should only add to the sense of optimism around the club.
How the match panned out was also an indicator that Nuno still has some things to work on. He will not be happy with the goals the Reds conceded, for example. There is still room for improvement.
Nuno is not one for getting carried away when things go well or overreacting when they do not, though. His level-headed approach will have kept feet on the ground after the victory at Anfield.
Forest are proving to be more than competitive this season. Only four teams remain unbeaten with five games gone, and the Reds are one of them. Brighton’s fightback ensured they are still yet to taste defeat. Manchester City and Arsenal are the other two. Not bad company to keep.