The Seagulls kicked off needing a response to three successive defeats in three different competitions, each without scoring.
Their most recent loss was a 4-0 Europa League thumping at the hands of Roma, all but ending their European journey and switching focus to their PL campaign in which two points separated them from the final continental qualification spot.
A positive start from the hosts put their relegation-threatened opponents on the back foot, with the returning Jakub Moder testing Matz Sels with a flicked header from a Pascal Groß set-piece delivery.
A second Groß dead-ball delivery caused issues for the Forest defence when Ansu Fati came close with a back-post header, yet the visitors failed to heed that warning, allowing the German set-piece specialist to assist the game’s opener.
This time, Andrew Omobamidele was the man at fault, conceding a free-kick near the corner flag before inadvertently heading into his own net beyond the flapping Sels.
At the other end, Bart Verbruggen had a relatively quiet half, denying Divock Origi with his legs to keep Brighton in front at the break.
Needing a response, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side made a strong start to the second period, posing considerably more attacking threat, albeit without really troubling Verbruggen before the hour mark.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, Moder was fortunate to escape a straight red card for an overzealous challenge following a VAR check, as the visitors maintained their second-half momentum.
Forest’s attacking reinforcements kept the away side largely in the ascendancy, with substitute Julio Enciso firing narrowly wide for the hosts as Brighton survived a couple of late flashpoints to claim all three points, lifting Roberto De Zerbi’s side into European contention, one point behind seventh-placed West Ham United.
Meanwhile, Forest have now won just one of their last 11 PL away matches (D3, L7), conceding 24 goals in that period to leave them looking over their shoulder, three points above the drop zone with a potential points deduction looming.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion)
