Reports of Nottingham Forest’s decline were premature. Just a week after a crushing 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side delivered a resounding statement with a dominant 7-0 victory over Brighton. Chris Wood led the charge with a hat-trick against his former club, while Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, Jota Silva, and a Lewis Dunk own goal completed the rout.
First-Half Dominance Sets the Tone
Looking to recover from their heavy loss, Forest adopted a back-five setup for defensive solidity. One key boost was the return of Danilo, who had been sidelined since August with a broken ankle. His presence proved instrumental, as he played a crucial role in the opening goal, feeding Gibbs-White on the right flank. The midfielder’s low cross deflected off Brighton captain Lewis Dunk and nestled into the bottom corner—his seventh Premier League own goal, second only to Richard Dunne.
Brighton dominated possession but struggled to break down Forest’s well-organized defense. In contrast, every Forest attack looked dangerous. Anthony Elanga and Wood both came close to doubling the lead before Gibbs-White surprised everyone with a clever flicked header from an Elanga corner, making it 2-0.
The home crowd barely had time to settle before Forest struck again. Gibbs-White initiated another attack, finding Ola Aina, who linked up with Elanga. The Swedish winger’s precise cross met Wood at the back post, and he made no mistake with his header. A lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal, and Forest went into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Chris Wood Hat-Trick Caps Second-Half Blitz
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler made a triple substitution at the break, but it did little to stem the tide. Forest’s counter-attacking prowess continued to shine, and Elanga completed his hat-trick of assists, bursting down the right before teeing up Wood for a simple tap-in. Moments later, Wood completed his treble from the penalty spot after Tariq Lamptey was adjudged to have fouled Gibbs-White.
With the match beyond doubt, Forest showed no mercy. Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi played a key role in the sixth goal, driving into the box before Williams smashed home from close range. Jota Silva then put the finishing touch on a record-breaking victory, ensuring Forest equaled second-placed Arsenal on points.
A Night to Remember for Forest Fans
The resounding win provided a much-needed boost for Nottingham Forest and their supporters. The City Ground erupted in celebration as the team recorded their biggest-ever Premier League victory. Chris Wood left the field to a standing ovation, and the entire squad basked in the adulation of an ecstatic home crowd.
If last week’s defeat hinted at trouble for Forest, this emphatic response proved otherwise. With a renewed sense of belief and momentum on their side, Forest now look to push further up the table in their bid for a strong finish to the season.
