SEVEN STEPS TO HEAVEN

Seagulls avenge last season's hell to cut down Forest growth

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N FOREST 0

BRIGHTON 2

De Cuyper 45, Tzimas 88

BY SUNNY BADWAL

BRIGHTON banished the spectre of their 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Nottingham Forest as persistence paid off for Fabian Hurzeler's men.

The Brighton head coach burnt his tactics sheet in front of his players after they were humbled at the City Ground last season.

Framing them after securing just their second away win of the season may be a step too far for the German but, with Brighton up to fifth, Hurzeler is definitely getting something right.

Goals in each half from Maxim De Cuyper and Stefanos Tzimas did the damage, ending Forest's five-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

It may represent just a second league loss since Sean Dyche arrived at the City Ground, but Forest remain just one point above the bottom three.

Brighton had the hosts pinned back in their own half for the majority of the opening exchanges, creating a large sense of nervousness among the home support.

And the absence of Brazilian centre-back Murillo, injured in Thursday's 3-0 Europa League win against Malmo, was sorely felt.

De Cuyper twice swung crosses in behind Forest's backline which the visitors failed to capitalise on.

The away side edged closer to an early goal, with a flurry of efforts blocked, Ibrahim Sangare denying Georginio Rutter the pick of the bunch.