After five games without defeat, the Reds’ unbeaten run came to an end as Brighton silenced the positive spirits around the City Ground with a 2–0 victory.
In the tenth minute, Brighton piled pressure on Forest’s box. A loose header fell to Yasin Ayari, who connected well but fired his effort over the bar.
Sean Dyche’s men looked for a quick response soon after. Domínguez pounced on a misplaced pass and charged down the wing, delivering a cross for Gibbs-White, but the opportunity was blundered.
Maxim De Cuyper broke the deadlock. A crisp through ball from Rutter on the edge of the area found the Belgian, who drifted into space and finished clinically to put his side ahead at the City Ground.
In the second half, Forest pushed for an equaliser through Igor Jesus. A cut-back from Hutchinson found him in the centre of the penalty area, and he aimed a low effort towards the bottom corner — but Verbruggen’s right foot denied him.
Tzmazis delivered the final blow, ending any hope of a comeback. Sloppy defending between Sels and Morato gifted the Greek forward the space he needed, and he capitalised to seal the result.
Brighton’s victory lifts them to fifth, while Forest remain 16th ahead of a demanding December.
