Glenn Murray was on target twice on his home return to help Brighton & Hove Albion to a comfortable 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
The Seagulls edged ahead in a quiet first half through Anthony Knockaert's close-range finish after the Frenchman ghosted in to open the scoring for the home side.
Murray, back at Albion on on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace, added two goals of his own following the restart in a similar manner to make it an unbeaten start for Brighton.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and to welcome Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship clash between Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest at The Amex. The Reds head into this fixture on the back of an impressive start to life under Philippe Montanier, having won both of their games so far in league and cup, but now comes the toughest test yet in their third game this week.
Brighton, hugely unlucky to miss out on promotion last season, kicked things with with a credible goalless draw away at Derby County, meanwhile, and will now be looking to build on that with a victory on home soil to top the early league standings. Start as you mean to go on and all that! Before taking a look at the two sides in more depth, let us first check out some confirmed team news.
TEAM NEWS!
BRIGHTON XI: Stockdale, Rosenior, Bruno, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Kayal, Sidwell, Skalak, Hemed, Murray
FOREST XI: Henderson, Pereira, Perquis, Mancienne, Lam, Burke, Kasami, Lansbury, Osborn, Ward, Veldwijk
Brighton remain unchanged from that opening-day draw with Derby, then, with Glenn Murray and Tomer Hemed continuing their partnership up top. They have failed to find a way through six days ago, but no side in the division had more shots without finding a way through, so boss Chris Hughton will not be too concerned by what he saw at the iPro Stadium. David Stockdale, who pulled off a huge early save in that game, starts in goal once again.
Many would have expected Dale Stephens to find a way into the hosts' starting lineup this evening, having missed last week's opener through suspension and the midweek cup tie against Colchester United with a knock, but he has to settle for a place among the subs. Summer signing Steve Sidwell is instead given another chance to impress in the middle, providing some much-needed steel to this Brighton side.
The big news as far as Forest are concerned is that leading marksman Britt Assombalonga, heavily linked with a move away once again this summer, misses out on the squad altogether. Forest supporters will hope that the 23-year-old is merely nursing a minor knock, and not being left out with one eye to a transfer elsewhere. That really would be a major blow for any outside hopes the Reds have of reaching the playoffs.
That means a chance in formation for Montanier's men, who include Lars Veldwijk up top this evening - a player who scored 14 goals in 33 appearances for Dutch side PEC Zwolle last season before returning to the City Ground. Keeping it tight at the back will be key for the visitors, who will surely see a point from this fixture as a real positive following their opening-day win.
BENCH WATCH!
BRIGHTON SUBS: Maenpaa, White, Stephens, Murphy, Norwood, LuaLua, Baldock
FOREST SUBS: Smith, Traore, Paterson, Vaughan, Vellios, Iacovitti, Cash
Six changes made by Montanier in all, then, which the Frenchman has confirmed is down to niggling injuries and general fitness issues. There is only a place on the bench for £1m summer arrival Apostolos Vellios, while there are also plenty of midfield options for Forest to turn to should they be needed. Brighton, on the other hand, have Kazenga LuaLua - matchwinner in this fixture last term - among their back-ups.
So a real positive start to life at Forest for Montanier, who would no doubt have been frustrated by the fact that he has had to heavily rotate his side tonight. Following another underwhelming campaign under the chairmanship of Fawaz Al-Hasawi last term, it remains to be exactly what the target is this season for the Reds. The playoffs seem unlikely, but two wins from two in all competitions - and six goals scored - suggests that they will certainly give it their all.
Montanier himself arrives at the City Ground with some European pedigree following his spell with Real Sociedad, but he is now looking to make a name for himself in England's second tier - and eventually the Premier League. The 4-3 win over Burton Albion last weekend provided the pick of the opening-round fixtures; some poor play at one end but a no-nonsense showing from Assombalonga to get the Reds over the line.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! This was the opening fixture to be played in the 2015-16 season, with Brighton winning that one 1-0 thanks to a strike from LuaLua - the best player on the night. Albion went on to win 2-1 at the City Ground in April, too, but it was the Reds who claimed a league double the season prior to leave the sides locked at 2-2 in terms of their recent meetings.
Just some breaking team news to bring you from The Amex. Thomas Lam, a goalscorer on his debut last week, has been taken out of the starting lineup after complaining of a migraine in the warm-up to be replaced by Alex Iacovitti. Eric Lichaj, not named in the original squad, moves onto the bench for Forest. A like-for-like change, so not too disruptive, but also far from ideal for the visitors.
Brighton are among a group of three or four teams backed to go up this season, although only three can eventually win promotion of course. The Seagulls learned that the hard way last time out when losing at the semi-final stage of the playoffs, having slipped to defeat in a straight shootout with Middlesbrough on the final day of the regular season to miss out on doing things the easier way.
Both sets of players have now made their way out onto the field of play at The Amex for this opening fixture of round two in the English Football League Championship. Forest are seeking back-to-back league wins to begin the new season, while Brighton are looking for a first victory after claiming a positive point away at fellow promotion chasers Derby County six days ago.
KICKOFF! Forest get us up and running in Sussex. The Seagulls beat the Reds in their opening home fixture of the 2015-16 campaign, thanks to a Kazenga LuaLua strike, but can they do likewise one year on?
A really positive start made to the game by Forest, who are quick to get at their opponents in search of an early breakthrough. Veldwijk was played into space down the right, but he could not pick out teammate Ward with his slide-rule pass.
Hemed steals the ball off a Forest player in midfield and quickly breaks forward. He was unable to pick out Knockaert with a simple pass but Brighton did win themselves a corner, which Perquis so nearly headed straight into his own goal under pressure from Bruno.
A very balanced start to this game, with both sides having spells in possession without being able to test either keeper. The ball is nodded down nicely for Ward to strike 35 yards out, but he fires well over the bar on the half-volley.
Kasami, making his first start for Forest this evening, gets back brilliantly to take the ball from Skalak's feet near his own area. Brighton come forward again and Kayal unleashes a shot a yard or so over the bar.
Brighton win a throw high up in the opposition's half, which is smartly taken for Skalak to strike on goal. At least that was the plan, but the full-back could not quite wrap his boot around the ball and Forest could clear away. Albion now on top.
Knockaert wastes a free kick for Brighton in a great crossing position, overhitting his attempted pass straight out of play. Forest started very brightly in this match but have since been unable to put together any real attacking moves.
Still awaiting the first chance of any note in this match. Osborn looks to get a cross into a dangerous position, only for Sidwell to cut the ball out with his arms. Lansbury swings the free kick into the box for Stockdale to punch out of play.
Some nice footwork from Knockaert in the opposition box, although it does not really get him far. He finally digs a cross out from under his feet, only for it to be blocked away by the first man. Frustrating opening quarter to this match for Brighton.
Lansbury, sporting longer hair these days, goes right into the back of Knockaert to concede a free kick in the middle of the park. The ball is worked to Rosenior down the right, but his cross is hit into the arms of Henderson.
Henderson filling in for Dorus de Vries this evening, incidentally. The Dutchman picked up an injury early on against Burton Albion last week, but reports suggest that he is currently in Glasgow undergoing a medical at Celtic.
Kayal the latest to take on a shot from range, which ends - once again - well over the bar. Murray and Hemed get in each other's way inside the box moments later to pretty much sum up what we have seen so far on the Sussex coast.
Forest break forward in numbers for the first time tonight through Osborn, but the youngster fails to pick out unmarked teammate Ward who is quick to give his pal a piece of his mind once the ball is cleared away. A decent opportunity for the Reds, that.
This match not too dissimilar to what we saw in last week's opening fixture of the Championship season at Craven Cottage. Very little action then, too, with Matt Smith's goal on the brink of half time the only real talking point of the opening 45 minutes.
The pressure will be on Brighton to throw more at their opponents the longer this match stays goalless, but still plenty of time left to play. Nearly half-hour in now at The Amex and still zero shots on target at either end of the field.
CLOSE! The first real chance of the match so far falls the way of Forest. Sidwell was guilty of giving the ball away too easily and, with Bong high up the field, Burke had plenty of space to run into down the right-hand side. He pushed into the box and got a shot away, which ended narrowly wide of the far post.
More slack play in the middle of the park allows Knockaert to drive forward, only for a poor pass of his own to end the passage of play. A cross does eventually come in from the left, though, which is overhit and goes right the way through.
SHOT! Brighton's first attempt on target arrives 35 minutes into the game, as Knockaert curls a free kick on goal for Henderson to comfortably collect down the middle. Skalak currently down nursing what appears to be an injury to his heel.
GOAL! BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST (ANTHONY KNOCKEART)
Brighton have a somewhat undeserved breakthrough goal at The Amex, and it is Anthony Knockaert who has scored it. Bong's cross from the left was easily tapped home by the Seagulls midfielder, who simply got ahead of a switched-off Osborn towards the back post.
That was Albion's first real sight of goal all evening, but credit to them for taking the chance when it arrived. Forest have yet to create any major opportunities; Burke's shot across goal the closest they have come to a breakthrough so far.
Skalak runs his boot down the calf of Kasami, which would probably have been a red card had the referee and his officials spotted it. As it is, Skalak remains on the field with four minutes of the half to play.
YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the contest is shown to Gaeten Bong, who completely takes out Oliver Burke. The youngster was looking to make something happen before being taken down by his opponent's outstretched boot.
CLOSE! Kasami takes on the free kick from around 22 yards out, which is sent just inches wide of the top corner - and I mean just inches. Stockdale was leaping across but that would have crept in had it been the other side of the post.
SAVE! The best action being kept for the end of this first half, it seems. Pajtim Kasami picked up a yellow for a terrible challenge on Knockaert, before Brighton worked the ball forward to win a corner which Sidwell glanced towards goal for Henderson to stop. From the next cross, Bruno somehow fired wide from just a few yards out.
HALF TIME! BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Brighton take a slender one-goal advantage into the interval, but Forest will be happy enough with their efforts so far. The half well and truly livened up in the final 15 minutes or so, with just the one lapse in concentration costing the visitors for Knockaert's goal.
The first chance of the match for either side fell the way of Ben Osborne, who made the most of some space down the left after Steve Sidwell gave the ball away to drive at the opposition defence and drag a shot narrowly wide. Brighton's first attempt arrived five minutes later, with Anthony Knockaert's free kick being comfortably kept out by Darius Henderson.
Albion's goal was perhaps somewhat undeserved when it did finally arrive 10 minutes before the interval, as a slack piece of defending from the Reds saw Gaeten Bong's cross easily tapped home by Knockaert a couple of yards out after wing-back Ben Osborn switched off towards the back post Pajtim Kasami almost hit back instantly when sending a free kick into the side-netting, but Forest could not mount a serious response before the break.
The Seagulls kept their best until the last, in fact, as Steve Sidwell glanced a header on target for Henderson to keep out before Bruno Salter blasted wide from a few yards out. It means that we reach the midway point with just the one goal in it, and plenty to play for in this second half.
BENCH WATCH!
BRIGHTON SUBS: Maenpaa, White, Stephens, Murphy, Norwood, LuaLua, Baldock
FOREST SUBS: Smith, Traore, Paterson, Vaughan, Vellios, Iacovitti, Cash
RESTART! We finished 1-0 here on the opening night of last season - can Forest prevent that from happening once again over the next 45 minutes? No changes made by either manager at the break, so it is as you were.
Another half-decent cross into the box from Bong, who needs to be closed down much quicker. Henderson initially spilled to give Murray hope, but the referee spotted an infringement and awarded Forest a free kick.
The attendance has just been announced at The Amex - 25,748 supporters here this evening, with 1,235 of those making the trip from the East Midlands. It is the Seagulls who have started this half much the better, with the visitors being pegged back.
Mancienne appears to have picked up some sort of knock, which is another concern for Montanier who is already without Matt Mills in defence. Forest could really do with Assombalonga this evening, but he too is missing with a slight injury problem.
CLOSE! Forest fail to deal with a corner towards the back post. Murray takes it far too easily off Perquis before working a shooting position, but his effort is curled over the bar. Albion knocking on the door for a second.
Brighton may now look good value for their advantage, although it is still just the one goal that they lead by. Forest pushing forward, particularly through Osborn, but just unable to test Stockdale at the moment.
YELLOW CARD! Murray and Hemed showing the hallmarks of a good strike partnership for the coming season. The latter joins Bong and Kasami in the referee's book for a late challenge on Lansbury - no malice but just missed out on the ball.
YELLOW CARD! Alex Iacovitti, brought in at the last minute to replace Lam at the back, is the latest to be cautioned when cynically stepping in the way of Rosenior to halt the full-back's burst forward. No complaints there.
FOREST SUB! A rare appearance for Armand Traore - just a second in 18 months, in fact, with the other coming against Doncaster in midweek - as he comes on for Ward with a little under 30 minutes of this contest left to play.
CHANCE! Just half a chance for Alex Iacovitti from a Forest corner, won after Kasami's shot was blocked aside. Brighton struggled to deal with the initial delivery, helping it only as far as the stand-in defender who nodded over the bar from seven yards out.
Albion now knocking the ball around a bit, patiently looking to find a way through for a second. Forest scored four times last weekend, albeit against a side with a far weaker defensive line than Brighton's, so can they muster just one in the remainder to rescue a point?
GOAL! BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST (GLENN MURRAY)
Murray gets a goal on his second coming at The Amex, tapping home from close range at the end of Skalak's headed pass across goal. Another simple goal for the hosts; more poor defending from the visitors. Prior to all that, Burke received a yellow for dissent.
CHANCE! Skalak has really enjoyed himself tonight. The winger gets the beating of Pereira and sends in a real teasing cross for Hemed with the outside of his boot, but the Israel international just could not slide it home.
YELLOW CARD! This game just getting out of Forest's reach now with a quarter of the match remaining. Burke is dispossessed by Bong, who is subsequently brought down by Hildeberto Pereira for the sixth booking of the evening
CHANCE! This is the big chance that Forest were craving. Stockdale parried a save right into the path of Lars Veldwijk, who sent his shot over the bar from close range. In his defence, it did come at him very quickly so little time to adjust.
SUBS! Sam Baldock and Dale Stephens are introduced for the hosts in place of Hemed and Kayal. Jamie Paterson and Vellios brought on for Forest, meanwhile, with Iacovitti and Burke the men to make way.
Knockaert has been named as the sponsors' man of the match at The Amex, but I have been really impressed with Skalak out wide. Just over 10 minutes to go now on the Sussex coast and both teams are pressing forward in search of the game's third goal.
GOAL! BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST (GLENN MURRAY)
A devastating counter-attacking move from the hosts wraps the contest up. Stephens won back the ball in his own box, quickly playing it out for a charge to be mounter, with Baldock being slipped in down the right. The forward wanted to take the shot on but the angle was against him, so instead picked out Murray to make it three.
SHOT! Norwood has been brought on for Brighton, and he picks out Murray who is on for a hat-trick. No treble just yet, however, as he puts his foot through the ball but sends it wide of the post.
YELLOW CARD! Another booking, the latest of which is shown to Sam Baldock for dissent. Referees being told to book players who say a little too much, as witnessed this evening with both Baldock and Burke being given a yellow.
Stockdale forced into a save at one end, and from that Brighton break forward yet again. Lansbury brought down Knockaert about 25 yards from goal, but is not shown a yellow card by the referee for some reason. Five minutes of additional time to come at The Amex.
Stockdale currently down receiving some treatment after taking a blow to his lower body - possibly his ankle. The keeper came for a simple cross but collided with a teammate, which could see his evening come to an end a few minutes early.
Two-goal hero Murray may be forced to go in goal for the remaining three minutes of added time, with Stockdale in quite a bad way at the moment. No need to risk him with this match well and truly over; two Murray goals and a first-half Knockaert tap-in proving enough.
Stockdale limps off the field, despite looking as though he was going to continue at one stage. Not much of a concern for the two remaining minutes here at The Amex, but more so for the upcoming games against Rotherham United and Reading.
Lewis Dunk the man in goal for Brighton, incidentally, but he has had nothing to do so far - not too dissimilar to the man he replaced between the sticks. Just seconds left to play in Sussex, as Murray nods wide of goal from an offside position.
FULL TIME: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
The full-time whistle finally sounds at The Amex, following nearly eight minutes of added time, and it is Brighton & Hove Albion who pick up a comfortable 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the end. Anthony Knockaert opened the scoring a little over half-hour in, before Glenn Murray added two more in the second half for the dominant hosts.
That concludes Sports Mole's live coverage of events in Sussex, but be sure to check out our on-the-whistle report before heading off. There will be plenty more text updates tomorrow, too, with the Premier League getting back underway in the afternoon. See you then!
