Veltman flag wins the day: Brighton 2-2 Forest photos
It was a frustrating afternoon for Brighton as they drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest – but we instantly forgot about the football as soon as photos of the Joel Veltman flag from the North Stand appeared, magnificently trolling Arsenal and Declan Rice.
Cast your minds back three weeks and you will remember clever play from Veltman lured Rice into kicking the ball away and delaying the Albion taking a quick free kick.
By the letter of the law, Rice had to be shown a second yellow card. The Gunners faced playing virtually the entire second half with only 10 men. Within a few minutes, Brighton equalised through Joao Pedro. It finished 1-1 and Arsenal were ruing the dropping of vital points in the title race.
To say Gunners fans did not take the Rice sending off and their failure to beat Brighton well would be a slight understatement. Weeks later and they were still crying about it, led by tantrum-in-chief Piers Morgan.
In response, the new Veltman flag references the Dutch defenders role in the incident. The head loss of Arsenal supporters. And just how much fun it all was.
Don’t expect any Gooners to see the funny side of course; they have proven themselves the most precious fanbase in the Premier League over the past month.
As for Brighton against Nottingham Forest, it was a game the Albion should have won. Defensive naivety though cost them as they gave away two soft goals.
Carlos Baleba conceded a clumsy and unnecessary penalty which gifted the Tricky Trees the lead. Chris Wood converted for his 57th career goal past the Seagulls since his one-season spell on loan at Withdean in 2010-11.
A Jack Hinshelwood header and Danny Welbeck free kick in the space of three minutes just before half time turned things around and sent Brighton into the break 2-1 ahead.
But Forest took advantage of the Albion’s high defensive line to equalise with 20 left to play. Ramon Sosa finished off a quick counter attack into the wide open spaces Brighton had concerningly left in behind.
There was further late drama when Morgan Gibbs-White was shown a second yellow card, followed by Fabian Hurzeler and Nuno receiving straight reds.
None of which resulted in the tears displayed by Arsenal fans after the Rice dismissal, of course…
If you have any photos you would like included in our Brighton 2-2 Nottingham Forest gallery please e-mail them to wearebrighton@hotmail.co.uk or tweet them to us @wearebrighton
