Albion were far from their fluent best but showed character to eek out a 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest so soon after their 4-0 Europa League humiliation at Roma.
The loss in the Italian capital was a painful one to take for head coach Roberto De Zerbi and the Seagulls and arrived swiftly after the 3-0 Premier League defeat at Fulham and their exit from the FA Cup at Wolves.
But the Seagulls, cheered on by their home fans, took a significant step forward as the three points took them to seventh in the table and back in the mix to qualify for Europe once more.
The decisive goal arrived on 29 minutes as Andrew Omobamidele headed into his own net after a wicked inswinging freekick from Pascal Gross created confusion.
Albion were overall worthy of their three points, and here’s how each player rated out of 10…
But the Seagulls, cheered on by their home fans, took a significant step forward as the three points took them to seventh in the table and back in the mix to qualify for Europe once more.
![Another high level level display. Positionally very good, defended well one on one and distribution was very good.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjlmY2M2MzNiLWQ2NjgtNGExNS1hMzcyLWI0MTUxYjBiODdjMTpkN2ExNTY0Yy1hMjNhLTQxM2YtYWI2ZC1iNmI1NzFjYjlmODA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=594)
5. Jan Paul van Hecke - 7
Another high level level display. Positionally very good, defended well one on one and distribution was very good. Photo: Mike Hewitt
![Still not quite at his best. Defended solidly but lacked his usual runs forward and didn't combine with Fati well in defence or attack. Replaced by Igor.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYyYzRlM2VkLTQ2MDctNDhkNi04NmIwLTk1YzEwZTAwMjZhNzo2YTllODBhMC01M2Y3LTRkYjEtYjFmNC1hNGEyNTNhZDA1ZjA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=594)
6. Pervis Estupinan - 6
Still not quite at his best. Defended solidly but lacked his usual runs forward and didn't combine with Fati well in defence or attack. Replaced by Igor. Photo: Mike Hewitt
![First start since October 2022. Brought a fine save from Sels with header on 14 minutes. Worked tirelessly, tidy in possession perhaps fortunate to survive a VAR check after a lunge at Neco Williams. Yellow card. Replaced with 15 to go.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmMxNDcwMmZmLTFjYjgtNDQyNC05ODdkLTMzN2FmYjhmNGIwMzo0ODQwOGI3Ni1lMjU2LTQ0ZDItOTYwYy1kZWJhMzhhZDUwOGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=594)
7. Jakub Moder - 7
First start since October 2022. Brought a fine save from Sels with header on 14 minutes. Worked tirelessly, tidy in possession perhaps fortunate to survive a VAR check after a lunge at Neco Williams. Yellow card. Replaced with 15 to go. Photo: GLYN KIRK
![The £23m signing has been under used this season and his power and skill in the midfield was a big plus. One of the few players in the squad that has the ability to drive forward. Best performance in an Albion shirt](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmMzODE3YTE0LThmNDgtNGYyNi1iZTBlLTlmYjBkZWRjNWFmMDo0NDY5MWRjZC01ZGMwLTQ2YWYtODM5Ni1hM2FkY2EwNzRjYTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=594)
8. Carlos Baleba - 8
The £23m signing has been under used this season and his power and skill in the midfield was a big plus. One of the few players in the squad that has the ability to drive forward. Best performance in an Albion shirt Photo: Mike Hewitt