Another 1-0 defeat, another controversial decision, as Nottingham Forest came away from Brighton & Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium with nothing to show for a spirited second-half performance. Here’s what the national newspapers had to say
THE GUARDIAN
Brighton whittling away the seconds by the corner flag is among modern football’s rarer sights. But then again slender victories, achieved via the helping head of an opponent, are hardly “on brand” for Roberto De Zerbi. Courtesy of Andrew Omobamidele’s first-half own goal, though, such a win is precisely what Brighton achieved. Ugly? Perhaps a tad. Necessary? Wholly.
Since the locals last trudged up from Falmer station, Brighton’s hopes of something tangible and shiny for their daring, trendy football have been dashed. Trips to both Molineux and Rome have been bitter disappointment.
So now, barring a minor miracle against Roma on Thursday, the aim for the season is European re‑qualification. Edging past Nottingham Forest aids that cause no end. “I’m very happy at the reaction,” De Zerbi said. “But I had no doubts about the human qualities of my players.”
THE TIMES
Nuno Espírito Santo questioned whether there is a conspiracy to relegate his Nottingham Forest side as the head coach hit out at declining standards of refereeing in the top flight.
With his side trailing 1-0, Nuno was incensed that Craig Pawson, the VAR, did not send Michael Salisbury, the referee, to the pitchside monitor and recommend a red card for Jakub Moder’s second-half challenge on Neco Williams.
“Week after week. Someone wants to put us down?” Nuno said after the 1-0 defeat that leaves Forest in 17th place, three points above Luton Town, who have a game in hand. “Why always us, what’s going on?”
THE TELEGRAPH
Nuno Espirito Santo questioned whether there is a conspiracy to relegate Nottingham Forest this season after the head coach said he felt badly let down by yet another controversial refereeing decision.
A week on from referee Paul Tierney’s blunder at the City Ground that potentially cost Forest a point, on Sunday it was referee Michael Salisbury who chose to show only a yellow card to Brighton’s Jakub Moder for what looked a clear red-card offence after 67 minutes of a tight encounter.
The challenge began in mid-air and ended with the Poland midfielder’s studs in Neco Williams’ ankle. But VAR Craig Pawson chose not to invite Salisbury to look at the incident again on the pitch-side monitor.
THE INDEPENDENT
Brighton bounced back from European embarrassment at the hands of Roma by scraping a 1-0 Premier League success over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
Albion returned to the Amex Stadium with their maiden Europa League adventure in dire straits following Thursday’s 4-0 thrashing in the Italian capital.
But Andrew Omobamidele’s first-half own goal got the Seagulls back to winning ways ahead of Thursday’s last-16 second leg with the Serie A club in Sussex.
An unconvincing victory for Roberto De Zerbi’s side ended a three-match winless run in the top flight to lift them to eighth in the table.
THE MAIL
Nuno Espirito Santo launched an extraordinary attack on the state of Premier League refereeing while the disappointment of this defeat was still raw, even asking if there is a conspiracy designed to make sure Nottingham Forest drop down this season.
Brighton should have finished with 10 men after Jakub Moder sunk his studs into the ankle of Neco Williams in the second half. Referee Michael Salisbury showed only a yellow card for the nasty challenge, however, with VAR Craig Pawson failing to correct his colleague’s error in judgement.
Andrew Omobamidele’s own goal made sure Brighton secured the win. It left Forest wallowing in 17th as Espirito Santo channelled his inner Mario Balotelli in the aftermath, asking ‘why always us?’ as he used his press conference to say Howard Webb and the PGMOL can shove their apologies.
THE MIRROR
Nottingham Forest are again pointing the finger at referees following their loss at Brighton, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo suggesting “someone wants to put us down”.
Forest were beaten 1-0 at the Amex thanks to an own goal from defender Andrew Omobamidele. However, they felt Seagulls midfielder Jakub Moder should have been sent off for a reckless challenge on Neco Williams.
Referee Michael Salisbury disagreed and only showed Moder a yellow card, with VAR official Craig Pawson also deeming a booking sufficient punishment. And when asked about the incident after the game, Nuno fumed: “It is a red card.”
THE SUN
Andrew Obamidele’s own goal handed Brighton a win by the skin of their teeth in what was a do or die fixture.
The Seagulls were lucky not to have gone down to ten men when Jakub Moder was booked for wilding lunging in on Neco Williams and landing with his studs on his ankle.
Craig Pawson on VAR checked the gruesome 66th minute incident and surprisingly agreed with Michael Salisbury’s initial call only to hand out a yellow.
The Seagulls had desperately needed to steady the ship after their season all but imploding after their catastrophic 4-0 drubbing at Roma on Thursday.
