MODER ON THE DANCE FLOOR
Jakub escapes red card over horror lunge as De Zerbi’s men shake off that Rome hangover
THE Amex Stadium is no place like Rome for Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton.
The Italian’s side suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat in the Europa League knockout stage last Thursday – the third of an unwanted treble of away losses in different competitions, while conceding eight goals.
But back in Sussex, Albion extended their unbeaten Premier League home record to 12 games and even kept a rare clean sheet.
Yet only the third win this year came via a horrible own goal by Forest’s Andrew Omobamidele and needed the help of the officials, who didn’t dismiss Jakub Moder for a horrible second-half challenge.
De Zerbi (above) had claimed the Roma defeat had been a “rude awakening” and a lesson.
But after a return to winning ways, he said: “It is not a surprise with this group of players, I had no doubt. This was an important three points reaction after three defeats. Very important.
“It is important to keep the position in the table. We have the energy to fight to make another great result this season.”
The Brighton backline was ripped apart by World Cup winner Paulo Dybala and the rugged Romelu Lukaku in the Stadio Olimpico. The Forest frontline was less fearsome.
Divock Origi’s low shot was stopped by the legs of Bart Verbruggen just after the half hour while Brighton’s biggest threat came from Pascal Gross’ dead-ball deliveries during a poor opening period.
And in the 27th minutes, it was a Gross set piece to the near post which caused confusion in the Forest defence and the ball went in off Omobamidele.
The visitors’ protests for a foul on keeper Matz Sels were ignored.
“It is our responsibility to do better,” admitted Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
His side had more of a case in the match’s other big decision after 67 minutes. But Moder stayed on the pitch and Verbruggen made a fine low save from Chris Wood.
Adam Lallana came on to keep possession and the hosts ran down the clock as efficiently as a Serie A side.
Next is the bigger Italian job of overturning a 4-0 first leg deficit against Roma on Thursday evening. BRIGHTON(4-2-3-1): Verbruggen 6; Veltman 6, Van Hecke 6, Dunk 5, Estupinan 5 (Igor 75); Baleba 6, Moder 5 (Enciso 75); Adingra 7 (Lallana 80), Gross 7, Fati 6 (Lamptey 60, 7); Ferguson 5 (Welbeck 60, 5) NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-3-3): Sels 5; Williams 6, Omobamidele 5, Murillo 6, Toffolo 6; Yates 5 (Awoniyi 72), Danilo 5 (Sangare 60, 5), Dominguez 6 (HudsonOdoi 72); Origi 5 (Elanga 60, 5), Wood 6, Gibbs-White 7 (Kouyate 87)