The Media Review: Forest felled again

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Albion made it back-to-back wins in their 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-03-02T10:15+00:00

James Milner made his 655th Premier League appearance in the win over Nottingham Forest. 📸 by Sam Stephenson.

Albion’s third Premier League win of 2026 was hailed by the reporters in the Amex press box, with the only caveats being that the victory over Nottingham Forest should have been by more than a 2-1 margin.

Andy Sims led his report for the Press Association with praise for two Albion veterans, writing that “evergreen Danny Welbeck felled Nottingham Forest with his 10th Premier League goal of the season firing Brighton to a 2-1 victory.

“Welbeck’s winner kept Forest firmly in the relegation dogfight after Morgan Gibbs-White had cancelled out Diego Gomez’s early opener for the Seagulls.

“The 35-year-old has now scored 10 in the Premier League for the second successive season, having failed to hit double figures in any of his previous 16 top-flight campaigns.

“With James Milner pulling the strings again on appearance number 655, Brighton took the lead with just five minutes on the clock.

“Gomez lashed a volley from an unlikely angle through the legs of defender Murillo and past Matz Sels in the Forest goal.

“Eight minutes later Forest were level thanks to fabulous goal from Gibbs-White.

“However, barely two minutes had elapsed when Brighton went back ahead after Forest failed to deal with Kaoru Mitoma’s cross.

Photo 1/25

Goals from Diego Gomez and Danny Welbeck ensured consecutive victories for the Albion in an enthralling contest at the Amex on Sunday afternoon.

“Jack Hinshelwood headed back across goal and Welbeck had time to control the ball before tucking it past Selz.”

After that, as Justin Allen wrote in The Sun, “Brighton were cutting Forest open at will.

“Mitoma played a one-two with Welbeck to run clear on goal but Sels did well to block his shot.

“Mats Wieffer was played in by Gomez and charged forward before firing a tame effort from the edge of the box.

🐐 pic.twitter.com/FkV0ng1WNQ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) March 1, 2026

“Welbeck’s eyes opened up when the ball fell to him just outside the box but dragged his shot wide.

“Elliot Anderson was booked for going down as Gomez swung into a hack at the ball. It was clear dive though.

“Brighton started strongly after the break and Mitoma fired wide from inside the box.

“Pascal Gross almost caught out Sels as he powered a low shot from a quick short Milner free-kick.

“The Forest keeper managed to scamper over to block a low shot into the bottom left corner.

“Brighton cut through Forest from their own third with some great passing before the ball was spread to the edge of the box but Wieffer and Gomez both saw shots charged down.”

Ed Aarons of The Guardian also saluted Albion’s senior players, writing that “Hürzeler’s decision to stick with the same side paid dividends as James Milner made his 655th Premier League appearance after breaking the record last week.

“Up against Elliot Anderson, who is expected to start for England at the World Cup this summer, the 40‑year‑old lasted almost the whole match and put in a composed performance that will only boost his hopes of being awarded another contract extension.

Welbz firing us back in front! 🔥 Our @MonsterEnergy Moment of the Match. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/33M87yvk1Y
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) March 1, 2026

“With so many players on the wrong side of 30, Brighton have often struggled to continue their intensity into the second half of games this season. But they seemed determined to finish the job off as Pascal Gross twice went close within five minutes of the restart, with a clever free‑kick almost catching out Sels at his near post.

“The only complaint was that Brighton’s victory should have been more comfortable in the end but Hürzeler was delighted with the response of the home crowd.

“Six minutes of added time were greeted by a roar from the Forest fans behind the goal. But desperate blocks from Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke after an almighty goalmouth scramble deservedly saw Brighton home.”

James Sharpe of The Daily Mail was a lone voice in being unimpressed with either of Albion’s goals, although he recognised the dominance of Fabian Hurzeler’s men.

Solly March came on for the final few minutes of our 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

“For Brighton’s opener, Neco Williams twice fluffed attempts at a clearance before Matz Sels somehow failed to keep out Diego Gomez’s low shot across him from the far side of the penalty area,” he wrote.

“Danny Welbeck’s second, meanwhile, was Sunday league stuff. Kaoru Mitoma knocked in the floatiest of crosses that still landed on the head of an unmarked Jack Hinshelwood. He found Welbeck who finished while neither Murillo nor Ibrahim Sangare made an attempt to stop him.

“Brighton could have had more had it not been for Sels. He made a stunning point-blank save from Mitoma after they played through Forest's midfield with ease, he kept out Hinshelwood's header after three red shirts failed to stop Jan Paul van Hecke's cross and then dived low to keep out Pascal Gross's second-half free-kick.”

Emily Salley noted on the BBC Sport website that “it was only a couple of weeks ago that boos and chants of ‘sacked in the morning’ were being directed towards Hurzeler by a small section of Brighton fans.

“But, as we all know, things can change very quickly in football.

Diego with another brilliant strike! 🇵🇾💫 Highlights in partnership with @MPBcom. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/KNoIYvh3Ef
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) March 1, 2026

“Brighton had looked goal-shy during their six-game winless run, scoring just three times. In welcome contrast for their fans, they have now scored four in their last two.

“And what will be even more promising for Hurzeler - though frustrating too - is that his side could have had more against Forest.

“Kaoru Mitoma should have added another shortly after Welbeck netted Brighton's second, but he took a touch too many and his effort was smothered by Matz Sels – one of many times the keeper came to Forest's rescue.

“A rapid reaction from the Belgian keeper denied Jack Hinshelwood's diving header just before the break, while he made a low dive to stop a Pascal Gross free-kick from curling in after the re-start.

“Fortunately for Brighton, they were not left to rue the missed chances and in just two weeks they have managed to put significant distance between themselves and the danger zone. Ten points now separate them and 18th-placed West Ham.

“Fans will also enjoy the welcome return of Solly March, who came on for James Milner in the 86th minute to make his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in April 2025.”