'We had a lot to resolve' - This is why the Brighton bench erupted into wild celebration after Stefanos Tzimas scored vs Nottingham Forest
Brighton avenged last season's 7-0 defeat at the City Ground, with a professional 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
There were wild celebrations on the touchline after Stefanos Tzimas sealed the victory with his first Premier League goal.
With Maxim De Cuyper’s 45th minute goal the difference between the sides for most of the second half – Tzimas’ poacher’s finish was vital to securing the points.
The win moved the Seagulls up to fifth but – without prior knowledge of the context – you would be forgiven for thinking Albion had just won the league itself, such was the passion on show from everyone in the dugout.
They of course would have been delighted for Tzimas himself, who has demonstrated patience beyond his 19 years in his short Brighton career so far. Danny Welbeck has the number nine spot nailed down but what harm has healthy competition ever done?
What made this win even more satisfying, though, is what happened at the same ground on February 1 this year. Forest inflicted the Seagulls’ heaviest defeat for 67 years.
Jack Hinshelwood admitted last weekend – after scoring the winner over Brentford - that the result nine months prior still hurt him. He and Albion were out for revenge.
Also on their mind, most likely, would have been the heart-breaking FA Cup quarter-final defeat – inflicted by Forest on penalties just one month later.
So, the first goal was always going to be crucial on Sunday (November 30). Forest were unbeaten in five going into it, whilst Albion had just one away win to their name this term.
Brighton enjoyed the better of the early exchanges with Yankuba Minteh, Georginio and Mats Wieffer all going close. De Cuyper also impressed on the left flank with a string of fine crosses that some how failed to create an opening.
De Cuyper was Brighton’s best player and it was the Belgian who found a way through. Georginio’s clever pass teed up De Cuyper and he calmly slotted home for his second of the season.
Forest were much-improved after the break and threatened an equaliser. Bart Verbruggen came to the rescue with a fine save to deny Igor Jesus.
The Seagulls held firm and added the second on 90 minutes as Stefanos Tzimas found the net in scruffy style after Brajan Gruda went down appealing for a penalty.
The bench – coaches and players – celebrated madly. Do wins get much more satisfying?
Roberto De Zerbi may argue that the 3-2 win he masterminded at the same ground – almost exactly two years ago – was! A full circle moment, if there ever was one.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the latest win at Nottingham Forest, Brighton captain Lewis Dunk said: "I think it was probably the best football we've played all season for the first 20 minutes. Then they changed their press and we couldn't quite get to grips with it.
"I think in the first half we were the better side and then in the second half we just had to dig deep. We probably need to keep the ball a bit better in the second half but sometimes you need to win a bit ugly and that's what we did today.
“They've changed the manager and picked up some big results so we knew it was going to be tough.
"We had a lot to resolve from last year and we managed to do it."