Roberto Zerbi failed to win his first game as Brighton produced one of the goalless football scores of the midweek action in the Premier League. Despite having plenty of chances, particularly in the first half, Brighton was unable to score for the third game in a row because they ran out of options against a tenacious but constrained Forest. Dean Henderson had to make six saves after Leandro Trossard hit the crossbar, with the best one coming late to stop Pascal Gross. Since the start of the 19/20 season, Brighton has had 16 0-0 games, more than any other Premier League team during that time.
It took Forest 59 minutes to fire a shot or even make contact with the ball inside Brighton’s penalty area, but it was another example of their improving defense, and a point lifted them off the bottom of the standings. In their first home game since Enock Mwepu’s sad retirement due to a hereditary heart problem, Brighton paid respect to him before the game, and the home crowd sang his name throughout the first half. Although Forest sat deep, the Seagulls moved with tremendous complexity and fluidity. However, it took them 29 minutes to forge a decisive opportunity when Joel Veltman blasted over from 12 yards.
That let a wave of visitors into Brighton. Henderson was put to the test by a low drive from Solly March, and Trossard then sent a shot sailing off the crossbar. After that, Henderson made two outstanding saves to deny Gross and Danny Welbeck, preventing Brighton from taking advantage of their home-field advantage. As the game went on, Forest noticed that his team’s hard work might just be enough to score an unexpected point. On the 59th minute, Brennan Johnson scampered away, but his angle shot, one of just two Forest had in the game, went out for a throw-in. With 18 of their past 54 attempts on target, Brighton has now gone an extended period without scoring.
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