Nottingham Forest's Sosa gets a point, three players see red cards in heated tie at Brighton | Premier League

A red mist descended over the Amex Stadium as tempers reached boiling point in a heated finale to this heated tie, resulting in Morgan Gibbs-White and both managers being sent off. Nottingham Forest midfielder Gibbs-White received a second yellow card for a last-minute foul on substitute João Pedro, while Nuno Espírito Santo and Fabian Hürzeler were sent off for their angry reactions on the touchline.

Chris Wood's early penalty raised hopes of a fifth straight away win for Forest, a run stretching back to the end of last season. Two Brighton goals at the end of the first half – a superb header from teenager Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck's curling free-kick – turned the game on its head. The visitors made changes in the second half and were rewarded with an equaliser from substitute Ramón Sosa, keeping both teams unbeaten.

Gibbs-White was sent off for his foul, although referee Rob Jones initially wanted to let play continue. Nuno was furious, presumably because he believed fourth official Anthony Taylor had influenced Jones through communication from the touchline, and was shown a red card. Brighton's manager Hürzeler was also sent off.

Taylor was temporarily suspended from refereeing duties after receiving abuse on social media for handing out 14 yellow cards in Chelsea's win at Bournemouth last week.

Brighton first-team coach Andrew Crofts said: “We thought a tackle was a foul. João Pedro was injured and their player didn't mean to hurt him, but it was a foul. I didn't see much of it so I couldn't imagine what part he (Taylor) played in it. I think he told the referee he thought it was a foul.”

Rui Pedro Silva, Forest's assistant manager, said: “I will always give my opinion from the bench. I thought it was a good and fair tackle. I didn't see anything that would have justified a second yellow card. The referee took his time and made the final decision to show a second yellow card.”

“I haven't heard anything from Nuno that justifies the red card. It's very emotional and you defend your player and your team.”

Brighton dominated possession early on and gave Forest a free rein through Georginio Rutter's pass, but Simon Adingra's first attempt went wide of Matz Sels's far post. Forest's first attack paid off when Callum Hudson-Odoi burst into the box after a direct run from Gibbs-White and Carlos Baleba clumsily brought the attacker down. Wood stepped up and sent Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way, leading to his third league goal of the season.

Hudson-Odoi set up Wood, but the former Brighton striker shot wide from close range and the offside flag saved him from ignominy. Forest threatened on the counterattack and Hudson-Odoi – promoted to the team after scoring the winner in last week's surprise win at Liverpool – set up Gibbs-White, but the England midfielder shot straight at Verbruggen.

Rutter was considered the hosts' most likely goalscorer, but the former Leeds striker's shot from the edge of the penalty area went wide.

Brighton's first chance was a significant one as they equalised before half-time. Jan Paul van Hecke crossed and Hinshelwood leapt up to head the ball past Sels. Things got even better for Brighton as they quickly scored a second goal through Welbeck's free kick which curled around the wall and past Sels, who was still motionless, and the goalkeeper was at fault.

Nuno attempted to change the course of the game at half-time, bringing on Jota Silva, Neco Williams and Ryan Yates for James Ward-Prowse, Àlex Moreno and Anthony Elanga. Paraguayan striker Sosa was also introduced shortly afterwards to increase the attacking options.

Kaoru Mitoma was a menacing presence on Brighton's left wing and his link-up with Welbeck kept Forest under pressure. Welbeck almost struck again after the break as the striker weaved his way through the defence, but Sels parried with his leg and tipped the ball wide for a corner.

Yankuba Minteh came on as a substitute, but the Brighton striker was put on the wrong end for the first time: with his backward header he forced Verbruggen to prevent an own goal.

Forest continued to threaten on the counterattack and two of their substitutes combined to equalise midway through the half. Gibbs-White played a sharp pass to Jota and he unselfishly laid the ball back for Sosa to score his first goal for the club from close range.

After the drama involving Gibbs-White and the coaches, Sosa still had time to waste a wonderful counterattack opportunity. Brighton had to accept that they were unbeaten after the first five games of a top division season for the first time.