Danny Welbeck scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season as Brighton secured consecutive league victories for the first time since November with an entertaining win over Nottingham Forest at the Amex Stadium.
The game burst into life early, with three goals inside the opening 15 minutes.
Diego Gomez fired Brighton ahead with a sharp angled finish, but Morgan Gibbs-White quickly levelled for Forest with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.
The Seagulls responded almost immediately, restoring their lead just 105 seconds later when Welbeck produced a smart turn and clinical finish to make it 2-1.
From that point, Brighton largely controlled proceedings.
They created a string of chances to extend their advantage, while Forest struggled to mount sustained pressure or carve out clear openings.
The visitors’ best late opportunity fell to substitute Taiwo Awoniyi, but he headed wide from close range when well placed.
The result follows last week’s win at Brentford and lifts Brighton up to 11th in the table, three points behind eighth-placed Everton.
It also eases the pressure on manager Fabian Hurzeler after a difficult spell.
Not long ago, a small section of Brighton supporters had voiced frustration at Hurzeler during a six-game winless run in which his side scored just three goals.
The mood now feels markedly different.
Brighton have found their cutting edge again, netting four times across their last two matches.
Against Forest, they could easily have added more.
Kaoru Mitoma was denied after taking an extra touch inside the box, while goalkeeper Matz Sels produced several sharp saves, including stops from Jack Hinshelwood and Pascal Gross.
Encouragingly for Hurzeler, his team are creating chances with greater fluidity and confidence.
They now sit 10 points clear of the relegation zone, providing welcome breathing space as the season enters its final stretch.
There was also a positive moment late on as Solly March returned from a long-term knee injury, making his first appearance since April 2025 when he came off the bench in the closing stages.
Thirteen months ago, Forest were celebrating a stunning 7-0 victory over Brighton that propelled them to third in the league.
The contrast with their current situation could hardly be greater.
Now locked in a relegation battle and still searching for a first Premier League win under Vitor Pereira, Forest’s biggest issue is a lack of goals.
Only bottom side Wolves have failed to score in more league games this season.
Gibbs-White was their brightest spark on the south coast, but aside from his equaliser, clear chances were scarce.
His late header was comfortably gathered by Bart Verbruggen, and Igor Jesus has struggled to translate his European form into domestic consistency.
Pereira will hope the return of Chris Wood, last season’s 20-goal talisman who has been sidelined since October, can provide the firepower Forest desperately need in the run-in.
