The shocking reason why Lewis Dunk was shown a red card for Brighton, it hasn't happened for 12 years

The real reason why Brighton star Lewis Dunk was shown a red card during his side's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday has been revealed.

The England centre-back was given his marching orders by referee Anthony Taylor during the second half of his side's win at the City Ground.

The Seagulls were 3-1 up at the time of the incident, with Morgan Gibbs-White's penalty giving Forest some hope.

But Roberto De Zerbi's side held on to record a much-needed first league win since September.

There were plenty of question marks over Dunk's dismissal, which initially appeared to be for dissent.

He was shown a yellow card by Taylor, before the referee sent the 32-year-old off the pitch a matter of seconds later.

Some believed that Taylor made a mistake, and meant to brandish two yellow cards.

While in either case, Dunk would have been sent off, he would only receive a one-match ban for two yellow cards, as opposed to a two to three-match ban for a straight red card.

It has now been clarified that Taylor did, in fact, give Dunk a red card, meaning he will miss at least Brighton's next two matches.

Dunk was sent off for 'foul and abusive language' towards the referee, with the defender believed to have shouted a number of obscenities towards Taylor.

The Daily Mail say that Taylor 'deemed [Dunk's] aggressive reaction worthy of a direct dismissal'. The defender will therefore receive a three-match ban.

Furthermore, as per the Daily Mirror, no Premier League player has been shown a red card for dissent in 12 years.

The video below appears to show Taylor telling Seagulls defender Jan Paul van Hecke the nature of the language that Dunk used.

Speaking after the match, De Zerbi said of the incident (quotes via The Athletic): "I am not a policeman, I am a coach.

"He said he was sorry. He understood he had made a mistake."

Forest boss Steve Cooper, meanwhile, criticised Taylor after the match - although used much lighter language than Dunk did.

He said: "I am sure I will be on the phone to Howard [PGMOL chief], I am sure he will want to call me.

"It is clear what has happened. It was not just that decision [to give Brighton a first half penalty], it was the lack of control.

"It was not as if there were a load of experienced players out there, trying to dictate the referee's mind. There were a lot of young players on the pitch."