What the papers say: Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest

At the Amex Stadium, three red cards were the big talking point as Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion shared the points thanks to a late equalizer by Ramon Sosa. What the national newspapers said was as follows.

The Guardian

In the tense conclusion to this bitter match, which saw Morgan Gibbs-White and both managers sent off, a red mist covered the Amex Stadium as tensions neared a breaking point. Due to his late challenge on João Pedro, a substitute for Nottingham Forest, midfielder Gibbs-White received a second yellow card. Meanwhile, Fabian Hürzeler and Nuno Espírito Santo were sent off for their violent outbursts on the touchline.

Chris Wood’s early penalty kick gave Forest optimism for a sixth straight away win, a streak that dates back to the end of the previous campaign. The match was completely changed by two goals from Brighton at the end of the first half: a stunning header from youngster Jack Hinshelwood and a beautiful free-kick from Danny Welbeck. The guests dialed the changes in the second half and were rewarded with an equaliser from the substitute Ramón Sosa to ensure both teams remain unbeaten.

The Times

What do you get when the best offside trapping team in the Premier League takes on the best counterattacking club in the top flight? Undoubtedly, far above what anyone had anticipated. Four goals were shared, ten yellow cards were issued, three red cards were issued, and both Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest maintained their stellar unblemished Premier League starts at the end of an intense match.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time this season that the match officials have come under fire as the game comes to a close following Morgan Gibbs-White’s 83rd-minute dismissal for a challenge on Brighton’s João Pedro. Gibbs-White’s tackle was careless; it was the kind of scissor challenge that, ten years before, would hardly have raised an eyebrow, but which now requires the referee to decide whether to make

Initially, though, the referee, Rob Jones, did not appear to think the tackle warranted even a foul, and instead signalled that Gibbs-White had won the ball. Thirty seconds later, his opinion had changed and the Forest No 10 — who had been booked for an earlier foul — was shown a second yellow card, leading to a furious eruption on the sidelines.

The Telegraph

Nottingham Forest feels that the decision-making procedure used by the match officials during the 2-2 draw with Brighton violates the pre-season criteria, and they are incensed about it.

With seven minutes remaining, the match burst out when Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White received a second yellow card for a challenge on Brighton’s Joao Pedro in front of the dugouts.

Forest believes fourth official Anthony Taylor overturned referee Rob Jones’ initial signal that Gibbs-White possessed the ball, ordering the official to display a second yellow card. Both Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler and Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo received ejections for their roles in the aftermath and their responses to that decision.

Forests are said to be  particularly upset about the decision as they were told by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd before the start of the season that referees’ on-field calls would be backed -–not overturned as was the case here. The protocol was termed ‘referee’s call’ in meetings between officials and managers before the season started, and it is thought that Forest believe today’s decision contradicts the edict and undermines the on-field referee.

The Independent

After a wild conclusion to a 2-2 draw against Brighton, assistant manager of Nottingham Forest Rui Silva said referee Robert Jones ought to have remained with his original ruling not to dismiss Morgan Gibbs-White.

Furious scenes broke out at the Amex Stadium as a result of Gibbs-White’s lunging charge on Albion replacement Joao Pedro. Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo and Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler were also shown the red card.

After initially indicating a clean tackle with the shape of a ball, Jones showed Forest captain Gibbs-White a second yellow card; it is possible that fourth official Anthony Taylor had an influence on the final decision.

The Mail

Three red cards, four goals, and little time to recover your breath. But when it comes to narrating the tale of this thrilling draw, there’s only one place to begin.

Joao Pedro was spearheading a Brighton onslaught when Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White dived in forcefully to halt the attack late in the second half, with the score already tied at two apiece.

A formidable challenge, for sure. One that, because Gibbs-White seemed to have won the ball, veered toward recklessness but sat in that tricky gray area. Not least in the eyes of the person to whom it mattered most, referee Robert Jones, who even seemed to draw a circle to suggest he thought the Forest man had won the ball.

The Mirror

In the last moments of Brighton’s Premier League encounter against Nottingham Forest, a tackle by Morgan Gibbs-White caused mayhem.

In the 83rd minute, Gibbs-White was given a second yellow card for sliding into Brighton forward Joao Pedro as he attempted to break free. When Gibbs-White challenged someone from behind, referee Robert Jones first indicated that he had won the ball. However, he later gave him a second yellow card for the challenge.

Anger on the sidelines led to the dismissal of Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler and Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Rui Pedro Silva, the assistant for the Forest, was also banned as a crowd of fans confronted Jones.

The Sun

Danny Welbeck is evidence that dogs of all ages can pick up new skills.

However, Nottingham Forest fought back and Brighton’s 33-year-old pedigree pup did not have the last laugh before things became ugly on the south coast with THREE red cards.

Just before halftime, Welbeck scored his 70th Premier League goal—and his FIRST direct free-kick—to cap off the Seagulls’ comeback following Jack Hinshelwood’s equalizer in the 42nd minute.

After Chris Wood’s 13th-minute penalty gave Forest the lead, it appeared hopeless until supersub Ramon Sosa made an unexpected comeback with a 70th-minute equalizer.

After Morgan Gibbs-White was sent off in the 83rd minute, the two teams—who are both still unbeaten in the Premier League this season—came to an end without their managers present on the sidelines.