Brighton vs Nottingham Forest Player Ratings: Yates’s Penalty Takes Forest to Wembley in the Semis

Ryan Yates’ decisive penalty meant that Nottingham Forest beat Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 120-minute period at the Amex Stadium in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 FA Cup.

Both teams went in, opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation for this game, given the high stakes involved. However, what unfurled in the first half was a dull and drab affair with both teams’ defense coming up trumps. It was a sign of both teams taking it slow, given that they had a substantial amount of their players traveling long distances in the recently concluded international break.

It was a half that was more physical than technical and it showed in the way that both sides robustly went in for the challenges. Nottingham had the first effort of the game in the 16th minute. A speculative Ola Aina through-ball found Awoniyi in the penalty area, who blitzed a firm first-time effort that was well-saved by Verbruggen, who put his leg out to avert the danger.

Brighton did have the ball for a substantial amount of time, but they could not really conjure up anything meaningful out of it as they were uncharacteristically sloppy and out of sync. There were a number of instances that saw overhit passes, a pass too much, or a poor touch putting an end to any sort of forward-going momentum for the Seagulls.

The hosts eventually had a shot in anger in the 26th minute, with Yasin Ayari letting fly from range, but the effort was blocked by the onrushing Forest defense. An Estupiñán free-kick from distance did test Sels in the Forest goal, but for a side that are looking to seize the moment at such a high-stakes game for the, the performance did not justify the occasion.

Both teams eventually played out the half without much incision from either. Then, at the stroke of half-time, Kaoru Mitoma jinked past and put in a low, sharp cutback in the box. The ball was cleared only as far as Carlos Baleba on the edge of the box, whose arrowing effort did break a camera, but unfortunately did not break the deadlock as the half drew to a close.

The second half also followed the same pattern, with goalscoring chances coming few and far between from both sides as they seemed to be more than happy to contain rather than attack. Gibbs-White had a shot saved early on, which seemed to be the only notable moment of attack in the half. Midway through the second half, Forest thought they won a penalty after Elliot Anderson was tripped in the box by Mitoma, but the referee overturned his decision after a rather lengthy VAR check. That was all the incident in another uneventful half as both teams were happy to take it to extra time.

Extra time followed a similar pattern until Diego Gomez brought out a brilliant save from Sels to stop his towering header from rattling the back of the net. On the other hand, a lapse in concentration almost gifted Jota Silva a chance, but it was blocked. A slew of yellow cards and sloppy fouls littered extra time as it went down to penalties to settle the victor.

The penalties saw a mix of some peerless striking and some rather questionable choices. Joao Pedro, Brajan Gruda, Elliot Anderson, and Hudson-Odoi all dispatched their penalties with ease. Brighton saw their next two penalties saved in succession as Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez’s efforts were saved by Selz. For Forest, Neco Williams did shank his effort way off target, but it did not hurt them as Yates scored the decisive penalty to send his side to Wembley and book their place in the semis.

Brighton & Hove Albion Player Ratings

GK- Bart Verbruggen- 6/10

He was arguably the busier of the two keepers. Made 3 impressive saves and was clean and tidy with his cross claiming and his distribution.

RB- Jack Hinshelwood- 5.5/10

A classic no-nonsense performance by the fullback that saw him robustly defend his flank. Had a glancing header that was off target. A rather poor penalty, which was saved easily by Sels in the shootout.

RCB- Jan Paul van Hecke- 5/10

Had an effort that went wide. Gave Awoniyi a little too much space to let him take a shot. It was decent otherwise.

LCB- Adam Webster- 5.5/10

Had a stronger outing than his partner. Was comfortable in handling the Forest attackers and pulled out some good challenges and clearances.

LB- Pervis Estupiñán- 4.5/10

A speculative shot aside, did not offer much going forward. Was later booked for a rather reckless foul.

CDM- Carlos Baleba- 5.5/10

The Cameroonian had a decent outing overall as he was his imposing self in the middle of the park. Had an arrowing effort whizz just past the target.

CDM- Yasin Ayari- 5/10

Had an effort that was blocked, but was not able to impose himself on the game well enough. Was subbed later in the second half.

RW- Yankuba Minteh- 5.5/10

The Gambian was busy on his flank. Attempted 4 dribbles, winning two of them. Did put in a couple of decent crosses that were just away from his teammates.

CAM- Georginio Rutter- 5.5/10

He had a couple of bright moments in the game. Had a shot that was off-target and also tried to get certain attacks going. Was eventually substituted with what looked like a knee injury.

LW- Kaoru Mitoma- 6/10

Was the Seagulls’ most promising player on the evening. Whatever little of note that Brighton created came through him. Almost got himself in a pickle when he brought down Anderson in the penalty box, but VAR overturned the decision. Was subbed in the second half.

ST- Danny Welbeck- 4/10

Virtually invisible throughout the game. You could be forgiven for thinking he wasn’t part of the game because he barely got a touch on the ball. Was subbed in the second half

Sub- Joao Pedro- 5/10

Barely had a shot on target despite making himself clear on a couple of occasions. Made himself a decent presence with his hold-up. Buried his penalty in the shoot-out.

Sub- Simon Adingra- 5.5/10

Had a lively cameo off the bench as he gamely tried to make a difference. Got forward well and had a few decent crosses in the box.

Sub- Brajan Gruda- 5.5/10

Had a good few moments in the game. A couple of good dribbles and a few cute little give and goes meant he kept the ball moving whenever he received it. Scored a nerveless penalty in the shoot-out.

Sub- Diego Gomez- 5.5/10

Had a shot blocked after taking too long to pull the trigger. Almost got another opportunity but got his angles all wrong as he failed to connect. Almost scored with an towering header but was excellently saved by Sels. Saw his penalty saved well by Sels

Sub- Lewis Dunk- 5/10

Was brought in to shore up the defense in extra time. Did just that with his old-fashioned brand of defense. Scored his penalty in the shootout.

Manager- Fabian Hurzeler- 5/10

Average throughout. Deserved the result his team got.

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Nottingham Forest Player Ratings

GK- Matz Sels- 7/10

Barely had anything to do. Had one save to make and made it rather uncomfortably. Was untroubled through the rest of the game. Made an excellent save to keep it 0-0 deep into extra time. Made 2 huge saves in the penalty shootout.

RB- Ola Aina- 6/10

Was busy throughout the game. Put the through ball for the Awoniyi chance. Was everywhere for Forest as he supported Dominguez ably on his flank. Ensured that Mitoma had a quiet evening for the majority of the contest

RCB- Nikola Milenković- 7/10

The big Serbian was arguably the best defender on the pitch. Displayed excellent game awareness and composure as he effortlessly thwarted Danny Welbeck all by himself. Effortlessly slotted his penalty in the shootout.

LCB- Murillo- 6/10

Was a reliable foil for Milenković at the back. Strong in the air and composed on the ball. Had a chance toward the end of regulation time but scuffed it badly.

LB- Neco Williams- 5.5/10

A couple of good crosses by the Welshman. Won 5 of his 10 ground duels as he kept Minteh at bay. Skewed his penalty horribly high and wide in the shootout.

CDM- Danilo- 5/10

Was his combative self in the middle. Did his job whenever called upon.

CDM- Ryan Yates- 5.5/10

Had a decent first half, but was more involved when he was pushed a bit forward. Had a couple of shots late on that did not threaten the Brighton keeper. Scored the winning penalty to take his team to the semis.

RW- Nicolás Domínguez- 5.5/10

Had a busy outing on the right flank as the game kept going. Got booked for dissent but had some good crosses towards the end of the regulation time.

CAM- Morgan Gibbs-White- 6.5/10

Forest’s most influential player. Pulled the strings, had a couple of shots saved, put in some teasing crosses into the box and tracked back for equal measure.

LW- Elliot Anderson- 6/10

Thought he won the penalty after a good bit of trickery saw him beat two Brighton defenders. Was hardworking and ran his socks off throughout. Coolly slotted his penalty in the shoot-out.

ST- Taiwo Awoniyi- 6/10

Had a sharp shot from an acute angle that drew a fine save from the keeper. Was lively throughout and kept the Brighton defense on their toes

Sub- Callum Hudson-Odoi- 5.5/10

One of the two attacking changes made by Nuno. Had a good outing as he constantly kept defenders guessing with his dribbling. Effortlessly smashed his shoot-out penalty in the top corner.

Sub- Anthony Elanga- 6/10

Was the more lively of the two subs. Got past his man on multiple occasions, and also found himself in dangerous areas but was just a fraction late on a couple of occasions.

Sub- Jota Silva- 5/10

Had a chance late into the second period of extra time, which was blocked. Offred nothing apart from it

Sub- Morato- N/A

Sub-

Manager- Nuno Espirito Santo- 6/10

Managed to get his team to the semis. Was spot on with his changes.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Nikola Milenković

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