Nottingham Forest struck a major blow of their unlikely bid to qualify for the Champions League as they ended Brentford’s unbeaten Premier League dwelling file with a 2-0 win on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium.
It was a 3rd victory in a row for Nuno Espirito Santo’s crew, whose credentials for a doable top-four end are rising tougher to disregard, and the assured, assured method wherein they handled Brentford solely bolstered that sentiment.
Ola Aina swept dwelling late within the first half at hand Forest the lead after that they had survived some nervous wobbles in defence. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer was in attendance in west London and he or she witnessed extra ghastly defending within the second half when Keane Lewis-Potter offered the ball to Anthony Elanga, who completed unerringly for 2-0.
Brentford had seven wins from eight right here and didn’t quit their proud file calmly. There might need been a tighter end to issues had Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels not produced one of many saves of the season to maintain out Kristoffer Ajer halfway by means of the second half, however regardless of Brentford’s busy trade to attempt to salvage some extent, Forest’s higher high quality instructed.
The hosts had truly made the brighter begin. Bryan Mbeumo scooped a ball in behind Forest for Yoane Wissa, who raced onto to it and reduce for Mikkel Damsgaard to shoot, his effort palmed behind by Sels. Mbeumo was creator once more minutes later with a excessive back-post cross that was headed simply vast by Ajer.
Forest created chaos in their very own field when Murillo missed his kick and Morato skewed the resultant clearance straight up within the air. Because it dropped, the defender did not successfully problem Wissa, who manoeuvred his manner onto the ball and volleyed over.
Mark Flekken produced a wonderful one-handed save to disclaim Chris Wooden, although the Forest striker should have aimed his free header farther from the goalkeeper’s attain.
Forest took the lead seven minutes earlier than half-time. Callum Hudson-Odoi cruised into house in entrance of the defence and slipped the ball vast to Neco Williams. He stood up Ajer earlier than pulling a pushed cross again in direction of Wooden, who swung at contemporary air – however arriving in his wake was Aina to comb it into the underside nook.
Brentford had trailed 3 times at dwelling this season and every time had come again to win. Forest in the meantime had been seeking to develop into the primary facet to go away the Gtech Stadium with a clear sheet, realizing that third place within the desk – – beckoned if they may maintain on.
Six minutes into the second half, Brentford’s unbeaten dwelling file fell below extra severe menace. Lewis-Potter’s management was poor as he took down a excessive Forest ball excessive, and there to steal it from him was Elanga, who minimize in-field earlier than sending a cool end bending low past the attain of Flekken.
Sels denied Ajer with an impressive save because the defender volleyed at purpose from Mbeumo’s header, a exceptional piece of reflex goalkeeping to protect Forest’s two-goal lead as their European desires drew into sharper focus.
