Nottingham Forest delivered a stunning response to their recent struggles by dismantling Brighton 7-0, with Chris Wood stealing the show with a hat-trick against his former club. After suffering a heavy defeat at Bournemouth, Forest bounced back emphatically, putting on a ruthless display in front of their home crowd.
The early breakthrough came when Lewis Dunk inadvertently turned the ball into his own net following a dangerous cross from Morgan Gibbs-White. Brighton, despite dominating possession, struggled to break down Forest’s compact defensive setup. The hosts, in contrast, were clinical on the counter, with Anthony Elanga causing havoc down the flanks. It was from his pinpoint corner that Gibbs-White doubled the lead, flicking a header past the helpless goalkeeper.
Wood got on the scoresheet soon after, nodding in at the back post from another Elanga delivery. The striker’s movement and physical presence proved too much for Brighton’s backline, and a lengthy VAR check only delayed the inevitable confirmation of his goal.
At halftime, Brighton made sweeping changes in an attempt to regain control, but Forest remained dominant. The visitors’ lack of a strong midfield presence left them vulnerable to quick transitions, something the home side exploited with ease. Elanga once again provided the assist for Wood’s second, sliding the ball across the box for a simple tap-in. Moments later, the striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Tariq Lamptey was adjudged to have fouled Gibbs-White in the area.
With the game already beyond doubt, the home fans were treated to even more attacking flair. Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi made an instant impact, driving into the box to set up Neco Williams for Forest’s sixth, before Jota Silva added a seventh in the closing stages. The crowd, sensing an opportunity for an even bigger scoreline, chanted for an eighth, but Brighton managed to avoid further humiliation.
This record-breaking Premier League victory for Forest not only lifted spirits at the City Ground but also sent a strong message about their resilience. Despite their recent setback, they proved they are far from a fragile side, moving level on points with second-placed Arsenal in the process.
