Hurzeler hails Brighton response to 7-0 drubbing after Forest victory

Fabian Hurzeler praised Brighton’s “self-confidence and personality” as they avenged last season’s 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest with victory at the City Ground.

The Seagulls returned to the scene of their drubbing when the sides met in February.

However, Brighton turned the tables this time around, with goals from Maxim De Cuyper and Stefanos Tzimas lifting them to fifth in the Premier League table with a 2-0 triumph.

Hurzeler acknowledged his side arrived in the East Midlands with a point to prove.

“In general, what you can say is that we had players with big self-confidence and personality on the pitch today,” he said.

“There was something in the air we needed to clear, not only for us, but for the supporters. We got on the pitch with players who had great character, and I think that was the main thing.

“I see a team that sticks together, a team that’s working hard, a team that’s gaining an understanding more and more of each other.

“It takes time. We are still not where we want to be, but it’s a process, and we focus on that. Every Premier League game is hard, and that’s what we have to do.”

Please can we all forget the 7-0 now.

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 30, 2025

Meanwhile, 16th-place Forest saw their five-match unbeaten streak brought to an end, while they missed the chance to put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

And Sean Dyche conceded a “lack of tactical discipline” during a “really poor first 20 minutes” proved costly for his side.

“It felt a bit like we were waiting for everybody else to do something, and they weren’t waiting,” he said. “[We] then gave away a really soft goal. It’s just the basics, getting across and filling holes.

“We were dominant in the second half, and it was a great reaction from 1-0 down. That relentless attitude is going to be important.

“A lot of good signs in the performance, but you’ve got to score goals. It was just a lack of tactical discipline in the early part, and the rest of the game – I can’t really question.”