Brighton’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest descended into chaotic scenes in the dying stages after referee Rob Jones brandished three red cards in a matter of seconds.
Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White and manager Nuno Esperito Santo were given their marching orders while Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was also sent off.
Gibbs-White was given a second yellow card by Jones in the 83rd minute when he flew into a tackle on Seagulls forward Joao Pedro.
The Forest attacker looked to have won the ball and Jones agreed, but he later changed his mind and deemed the manner in which Gibbs-White made the tackle to be dangerous and deserving of a yellow card.
Unfortunately for Gibbs-White, his second booking meant an early shower.
Morgan Gibbs-White protested his innocence after a challenge on Brighton’s Joao Pedro
The Forest star was given a second yellow card in the 83rd minute by referee Rob Jones
Gibbs-White vented his fury at fourth official Anthony Taylor after he was sent off
Jones’ decision to send Gibbs-White off left Nuno incensed, as the Forest boss pointed at the referee and gave him an earful.
Seagulls boss Hurzeler was also sent off, although it was unclear at the time what he did to warrant the punishment.
Hurzeler also made sure to relay tactical instructions to Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk before he headed up the tunnel at the Amex Stadium.Â
Per the Premier League Match Centre account on X, which provides explanations from the VAR hub and PGMOL experts, Gibbs-White was issued with a second yellow due to a ‘reckless challenge’.
As for Hurzeler and Nuno, they were sent off ‘for their unacceptable technical area behaviour following the incident.’
Despite having the extra man for the remaining seven minutes of regular time as well as stoppage time, Brighton were unable to breach Forest’s backline for a third time.
Chris Wood had put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute from the penalty spot after Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba brought down Callum Hudson-Odoi in the box.
Brighton equalised in the 42nd minute through Jack Hinshelwood and went ahead on the stroke of half time thanks to a stunning free-kick from Danny Welbeck.
Forest manager Nuno Esperito Santo was also sent off for his behaviour in the technical area
Nuno made sure to give referee Jones a piece of his mind before he went back up the tunnel
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler was also given a red card, much to the German’s surprise
However, Brighton could not hold their lead as Forest levelled proceedings in the 70th minute through Ramon Sosa.Â
The result kept Brighton and Forest’s unbeaten starts to the 2024-25 Premier League season intact, with both teams sitting on nine points although the Seagulls have the better goal difference.
However, with Nuno and Hurzeler’s respective red cards, the two sides will have to conjure up something special to remain undefeated in the next matchweek.Â