Nottingham Forest returned to winning ways in style as they ran riot against Brighton and Hove Albion on their way to a very impressive 7-0 win.

The Reds went into the game looking to bounce back from their 5-0 thumping at the hands of Bournemouth last weekend. Although still without the injured Callum Hudson-Odoi, they were boosted by Danilo making his first start since recovering from a broken ankle and fellow long-term absentee Ibrahim Sangare being included on the bench after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Eager to return to winning ways, Forest got off to the perfect start by opening the scoring in the 12th minute. Morgan Gibbs-White was set free by Danilo and his cross was turned into his own net by Lewis Dunk.

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Gibbs-White couldn’t claim that one but he did get on the scoresheet with 25 minutes gone when he headed in an Anthony Elanga corner. A Chris Wood header then made it 3-0 on the half hour as the front man converted Elanga’s cross.

Forest were rampant but they needed Matz Sels to make a big save to keep out Danny Welbeck just before the break. And mindful of tricky second halves against Southampton and Bournemouth, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo no doubt reminded his players not to take their foot off the gas at the interval.

They must have heeded the warning as Wood scored twice in the space of five minutes to complete his hat-trick. Neco Williams and Jota Silva then wrapped up the scoring late on. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.

Matz Sels: Incredible save to thwart Welbeck in the first half. Had made an important stop to keep out Yankuba Minteh before that, too. Pretty much had his feet up after that. Rating: 8/10

Morato: Brought into the starting XI as Nuno looked to shore things up after the capitulation at Bournemouth. Didn’t put a foot wrong and chipped in with some important blocks and interventions. Rating: 8.5/10

Nikola Milenkovic: Forest were back to their resolute best, and the Serbian was a big part of that. Even taking one in the chin from Welbeck didn’t stop him, he simply shrugged it off. Rating: 8.5/10

Murillo: Normal service resumed after last weekend’s horror show from the Brazilian. Back to his usual brilliant best defensively and with the ball. Nuno taking no risks when the centre-back seemed to pick up a knock in the second half. Rating: 8.5/10

Ola Aina: After a below-par display on the south coast, was his usual self this time around. Made some terrific forward runs and did his bit to help Forest to an impressive clean-sheet. Rating: 8.5/10

Danilo: Back with a bang. His first start since the opening day of the season and he made an immediate impact with a terrific pass to set Gibbs-White on his way for the opening goal. Got a deserved standing ovation when he made way in the second half. Rating: 9/10

Elliot Anderson: Excellent. Worked really well alongside Danilo in the centre of the pitch. Didn’t stop running all afternoon and covered so much ground. Rating: 9/10

Neco Williams: Even wearing a protective face mask didn’t hold the Welshman back. Had been close to getting on the scoresheet in the first half but did manage to find the back of the net late on. Rating: 9/10

Anthony Elanga: Hat-trick of assists for the wide man. A thorn in Brighton’s side throughout. Has really looked back to his best of late and is clearly full of confidence. Rating: 9.5/10

Morgan Gibbs-White: Brought up a century of appearances for the club with a superb display. Pure magic at times, and capped off with a lovely header for his fifth of the campaign. Rating: 9.5/10

Chris Wood: Made it his best goalscoring season in the Premier League when his first-half header took his tally to 15. But he wasn’t finished there and completed his hat-trick with a quick-fire brace after the break. Rating: 9.5/10

Subs

Nicolas Dominguez (for Danilo, 65mins): After a poor cameo at Bournemouth, was far better against Brighton. Contributed to a seriously impressive display. Rating: 8/10

Willy Boly (for Murillo, 72mins): Slotted in with ease. Didn’t have a great deal to do, in truth, as most of the action was at the other end of the pitch. Rating: 8/10

Jota Silva (for Gibbs-White, 72mins): Took his goal very well as the Reds didn’t let up. Had clearly picked himself up after a tough afternoon last time out. Rating: 8/10

Ibrahim Sangare (for Anderson, 81mins): A big boost for Forest to have him back available. Played his part in the seventh goal and will have a key role to play in the rest of the season. Rating: 8/10

Taiwo Awoniyi (for Wood, 81mins): Did a lot of the hard work in the build-up to Jota’s goal. Almost managed to find the back of the net himself. Rating: 8/10

Subs not used: Miguel, Moreno, Yates, Sosa.

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