Nottingham Forest Make History with Stunning 7-0 Thrashing of Brighton

Nottingham Forest produced a breathtaking performance to hammer Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0 at the City Ground, securing their biggest league victory in over three decades. Just a week after suffering a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth, Forest responded emphatically, becoming only the second team in Premier League history to lose by five or more goals and immediately follow it up with a five-goal winning margin. The last team to achieve this rare feat was Sheffield Wednesday in November 1997.

This emphatic win marked Forest’s largest league triumph since a 7-0 demolition of Chelsea in April 1991, while Brighton endured their worst league defeat since a crushing 9-0 loss to Middlesbrough in 1958.

A Statement Performance at the City Ground

The tone was set early when Morgan Gibbs-White’s dangerous cross was inadvertently turned into the net by Lewis Dunk in the 12th minute. Forest doubled their advantage in the 25th minute through a well-placed header from Gibbs-White, following an Elanga corner. The relentless pressure continued as Chris Wood nodded in another precise delivery from Elanga in the 32nd minute, giving Forest a commanding 3-0 lead before halftime.

Wood’s sensational night continued in the second half when he tapped in from an Elanga assist in the 64th minute. Five minutes later, he completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Tariq Lamptey brought down Gibbs-White. This made him the first Nottingham Forest player to score a top-flight hat-trick at the City Ground since Nigel Clough in December 1987.

As Brighton collapsed under the pressure, Forest added two more goals late on, with Neco Williams and Callum Hudson-Odoi finding the net to cap off a remarkable night.

Historic Impact on the Premier League Table

With this dominant display, Forest moved up to third in the Premier League standings, level on points with Arsenal ahead of their next fixture. Their offensive efficiency was reflected in their 3.23 expected goals (xG), while Brighton underperformed with just 0.80 xG, highlighting their struggles in front of goal.

This result will be remembered as one of Nottingham Forest’s most memorable performances in recent history. From despair to delight in just a week, the Tricky Trees have reasserted themselves as serious contenders this season.