Albions were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Forest

It proved to be another disappointing night for the Albions as
they were held to a goalless draw by league newcomers Forest.

Like Tottenham and Brentford earlier, Albion took control for long
periods, created plenty of chances – certainly in the first half – but failed
to find the elusive goal their performance deserved.

It was a result that earned the visitors just their second point
of their trip, while Roberto De Zerbi is still looking for his first win as
Albion manager.

Steve Cooper made three changes to his starting line-up tonight as
Nottingham Forest played at the Amex Stadium for the first time since August
2016. Serge Aurier, Orel Mangala and Jesse Lingard came on for Harry Tofolo,
Sheihu Kouyate and Emmanuel Denis. clear autumn evening on the south coast.

His side couldn’t have done more and he would have been delighted
with the way his players started the game, forcing several corners and enjoying
the lion’s share of possession. It was a sign of things to come.

Leandro Trossard saw plenty of the ball down the left flank and
Albion’s first attempt at goal came in the 13th minute when the Belgian met
Solly March’s cross on the edge of the box. He then slotted past Serge Aurier
and Morgan Gibbs-White only for keeper Dean Henderson to parry a fierce curling
effort into the other corner.

Roberto De Zerbi saw his side pick up two points from their four
games in charge.

Albion continued to play from the front while Forest, who were
looking to climb up the table, were forced to make rare forays forward, with
striker Brennan Johnson looking the most likely option.

At the other end, Joel Veltman could have given the centre-forward
a touch when he fired high over Henderson’s post from a free-kick.

Albion came much closer to breaking the deadlock just after the
half-hour mark when a great run from the team saw the ball fall back to
Trossard on the edge of the box. Head down, his sole focus on goal, but this
time his wretched effort flew off the crossbar.

It was really a one-way drive and another chance was squandered
moments later when Trossard’s deft cross met the head of Adam Lallana.

Henderson was really getting his money’s worth and he got down
well at the near post to save March’s low shot before pushing away Pascal
Gross’ opener moments later.

The half ended with Adam Webster firing over as he reached for the
ball, and when the half-time whistle sounded, the visitors must have breathed a
huge sigh of relief.

The beginning of the second half was a mirror image of the first:
“Albion” brought their opponent back into their own half.

The Reds defended adequately in the second half as the game
remained deadlocked but tried to gain momentum in the opposite half.

Veltman delivered a dangerous cross that Welbeck failed to
equalise, while Marsh’s low ball into the six-yard box was deflected to safety.

Johnson scored a rare effort for Forest but with the hour mark and
the game still tied,

Forest had their first real chance of the evening before the hour
mark when Gibbs-White’s cross from the top found Brennan Johnson on the right.
He was able to break inside, but his left-footed shot failed to stop Sanchez in
the Albions goal.

Albion made changes. Tariq Lamptey replaced Lallane and took the
right-back position, while March was positioned further inside.

Chances were few and far between, although the Albions dominated
the game and heads fell again with ten minutes to go. Henderson showed heroics
in the 81st minute, making a spectacular save from Pascal Gross’ close-range
shot that looked destined to hit the net.

In a final roll of the dice and a bid to steal three points, the
Reds introduced Joe Worrell, Taiwo Avoni and Premier League debutant Julian
Biancone in the closing stages.

Albion kept looking, kept pushing for the first goal, but alas it
never came. Forest and their fans were delighted with the draw but the Albions
were not.

Robert Sanchez, Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Adam
Webster, Solly March, Adam Lallana (Tariq Lamptey),
Alexis Mac Allister, Moisés Caicedo, Leandro Trossard, Pascal Groß (Deniz Undav), Danny Welbeck.

Substitutes not used:
Jason Steele, Julio Enciso, Ed Turns, Billy Gilmour, Pervis Estupiñan, Kaoru
Mitoma, Jeremy Sarmiento

Dean Henderson, Serge Aurier (Harry
Toffolo, Giulian Biancone ), Steve Cook, Scott McKenna, Neco Williams;
Remo Freuler, Ryan Yates, Orel Mangala (Cheikhou
Kouyaté) ; Morgan Gibbs-White, Jesse Lingard (Worrall),
Brennan Johnson (Taiwo Awoniyi)

Substitutes not used:
Wayne Hennessey, Sam Surridge, Emmanuel Dennis, Willy Boly

Bookings:

Nottingham:
Remo Freuler

Match Stats:

Possession

Brighton 70%
Southampton 30%

Total Shots

Brighton 19
Nottingham 3

Shots on Target

Brighton 7
Nottingham 0

Corners

Brighton 9
Nottingham 1

Fouls

Brighton 10
Nottingham 14

Attacks

Brighton 125
Nottingham 51

Dangerous Attacks

Referee: Darren England
Venue: Amex Stadium, Falmer

Player of the Match: Lewis Dunk (Brighton)