Tuesday marked the third consecutive Premier League match in which Brighton & Hove Albion failed to score, as they were held scoreless at home by struggling Nottingham Forest.
Roberto De Zerbi’s team dominated throughout but lacked a cutting edge as Forest held on for a hard-fought draw.
Brighton endured a tough evening in their 200th Premier League match, the first meeting between the teams since 1983.
Leandro Trossard and Solly March both had efforts stopped by Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson, while Trossard also struck the crossbar during Brighton’s several opportunities.
Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey and Pascal Gross had decent opportunities after the interval, while Forest’s attacks were infrequent and they failed to record a shot on goal.
Forest climbed off the bottom of the table with six points thanks to the positive draw.
Brighton stayed in seventh place with 15 points, however, De Zerbi became the first Brighton manager since Barry Lloyd in 1987 to fail to win any of his first four league games.
The final whistle was met with boos from the home crowd, while Forest’s supporters celebrated their first clean sheet since returning to the Premier League this season.
“I’m now considering what improvements I can make,” said De Zerbi, who began his stint with a 3-3 draw against Liverpool but whose offence has since stalled.
“We must definitely focus on the final 20 metres, choose the best solution in the final 25 metres, and create more solutions in creative space.”
The first half was a one-way street, with Trossard particularly active for the home team.
He struck the crossbar with a whirling volley at the half-hour mark and then blasted directly at Henderson after a deft move. Trossard also assisted Adam Lallana, whose header went wide of the goal.
Solly March tested Jordan Henderson with a low attempt, as Danny Welbeck laboured up front without scoring his first league goal of the season.
Adam Webster blasted another opportunity over the crossbar as Forest reached the break tied.
Forest appeared more comfortable after the break, but Brighton had a golden opportunity to secure the victory when Gross’s scuffed drive was excellently stopped by Henderson.
