JUST IN: Nuno Espirito Santos aggressively slams refree Jones poor Match management that led to Dramatic 3 red card event.
Brighton’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest descended into chaos in the final moments as referee Rob Jones issued three red cards within seconds.
Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and manager Nuno Espirito Santo were both dismissed, along with Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
Gibbs-White received a second yellow card in the 83rd minute for a challenge on Brighton forward Joao Pedro. While it initially appeared that Gibbs-White had won the ball, Jones later reversed his decision, deeming the tackle reckless and worthy of a yellow card, resulting in Gibbs-White’s expulsion.
Nuno was visibly furious at Jones’ decision, confronting the referee in protest. Meanwhile, Hurzeler was also sent off, though the reason for his dismissal was not immediately clear. Before leaving the pitch, Hurzeler gave tactical instructions to Brighton captain Lewis Dunk.
According to the Premier League Match Centre’s VAR explanation, Gibbs-White was sent off for a “reckless challenge.” Both Nuno and Hurzeler were dismissed for “unacceptable technical area behavior” following the incident.
Despite playing with an extra man for the final minutes of regular time and stoppage time, Brighton couldn’t break through Forest’s defense to secure a third goal.
Earlier in the match, Chris Wood gave Forest the lead with a penalty in the 13th minute after Carlos Baleba fouled Callum Hudson-Odoi in the box. Brighton equalized in the 42nd minute through Jack Hinshelwood, and Danny Welbeck’s stunning free-kick put them ahead just before halftime.
However, Forest struck back in the 70th minute with a goal from Ramon Sosa, ensuring both teams maintained their unbeaten records in the 2024-25 Premier League season. Both Brighton and Forest remain on nine points, with Brighton holding the edge on goal difference.