Nottingham Forest and Brighton played out a 2-2 draw in an engaging Premier League clash on Sunday, with Super Eagles defender Ola Aina completing the full 90 minutes for Forest. Aina, who has now featured five times for Forest this season, was a key part of the action and picked up a yellow card in a hard-fought encounter.
Forest took an early lead through a penalty, awarded in the 13th minute after a controversial challenge by Brighton’s Carlos Baleba on Callum Hudson-Odoi inside the box.
Chris Wood, last season’s top scorer for Forest, confidently stepped up to convert the spot-kick, netting his third goal in just five games this season.
Despite Forest’s promising start, Brighton turned the game on its head in a swift four-minute spell late in the first half.
In the 42nd minute, Brighton’s teenage midfielder Jack Hinshelwood rose to meet a cross from centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, heading the ball past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels to bring the visitors level.
Just before the halftime whistle, Aina fouled Kaoru Mitoma outside the penalty area, gifting Brighton another opportunity.
Veteran striker Danny Welbeck took full advantage, curling a direct free-kick into the net for his 70th Premier League goal, giving Brighton a 2-1 lead at the break.
The goal marked Welbeck’s first strike from a direct free-kick in his lengthy top-flight career, a milestone moment for the 33-year-old forward.
Forest, however, were not done.
Manager Steve Cooper made tactical adjustments in the second half, including introducing substitute Ramon Sosa, who would prove instrumental in securing a point for the home side.
Vice-captain Morgan Gibbs-White threaded a precise pass to Silva, who in turn laid the ball off to Sosa.
The substitute made no mistake, calmly finishing past Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen to level the match at 2-2.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the final stages, but neither could break the deadlock.
The result leaves Nottingham Forest and Brighton tied on nine points each, occupying seventh and eighth positions in the Premier League table, respectively, after five games.
Despite Forest’s solid showing, Aina’s booking added to the physical intensity of the match.
His Nigerian compatriot, Taiwo Awoniyi, was an unused substitute for the day, but with both teams eyeing higher places in the league standings, there will be plenty of opportunities ahead for further contributions from their Nigerian internationals.
With this draw, both clubs continue their strong start to the season, but will be keen to push on in their upcoming fixtures as they aim to challenge for European spots.
