How Brighton players fared in 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest

There were some pleasing performances around the XI but they always need to be diligent against counter raids – which was not always the case.

Here is how they fared as individuals.

Bart Verbruggen 7/10

We have yet to see evidence of the “penalty king” tag he enjoys in Holland but he was alert coming out to clear up in defence and was generally sound in his handling and passing.

Joel Veltman 6/10

Has had a good start to the season, possibly making Huerzeler rethink his selection ideas, but another steady display here was spoiled by the misjudgement which saw Forest go clear for their equaliser.

Jan Paul van Hecke 7/10

Was caught out on the equaliser as he felt compelled to leave the defensive line. But we also saw the best of him, both with the cross for the first goal and some brilliant work to keep possession and find Mitoma ahead of Welbeck’s big second-half chance.

Lewis Dunk 6/10

A decent enough all-round performance but is in a defence which can be exposed on counter attacks and he chose to commit a yellow-card foul at one stage.

Pervis Estupinan 6/10

Another who produced good and bad. He is looking more athletic, getting well forward or into midfield in the way this system needs. But his end product was mixed and Forest got in behind him ahead of the penalty.

Jack Hinshelwood 8/10

Came increasingly into the game after a quiet start, lifted the crowd with a thunderous tackle and then scored a classic header to ignite the afternoon. Is a great asset in so many ways.

Carlos Baleba 7/10

Lots of good work but was out-witted in that naïve moment for the penalty as Hudson-Odoi looked for contact and got it. Was not helped by an early yellow card but did not have a bad game.

Simon Adingra 6/10

Dragged an early chance wide and, while he played a basic nut necessary part in the first goal, he did not have the impact he has enjoyed in previous games as he was handed his first Prem start of the season.

Georginio Rutter 6/10

Some nice footwork and link play and got into some great positions without success. Comfortably off-target with a first-half header and shot and saw a second-half effort blocked.

Kaoru Mitoma 8/10

He tends to be judged by very high standards, making anything less than supershows feel disappointing. Here, his willingness to run at defenders led to the two goals, he created various chances, induced two yellow cards and had Forest looking for right-back solutions. And he tracked back too, to the extent that Albion entrusted him with the entire left flank when Estupinan departed.

Danny Welbeck 7.5/10

There used to be a theory that Albion just needed a centre-forward to stand between the posts and finish off their attractive moves. Welbeck has proved the importance of a No.9 who joins in all-round play as he orchestrates attacking work. Out-thought Sels for his free-kick goal and was denied a tip-toed second by the keeper.

SUBS – Yankuba Minteh 6/10

Went on down the right in the search for a winner but nothing really came off for him.

Mats Wieffer 6/10

Entered the fray at a time when the Albion storm was abating and they needed control to be maintained. He did to a degree.

Joao Pedro, Evan Ferguson N/A

Were sent on to force a winner and the former, who went on first, saw more of the ball – and was on the receiving end of a nasty foul which (eventually) received a yellow and bordered on red.