Nottingham Forest’s gorgeous season continued with a 3-0 victory at Wolves on Monday to present supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo a profitable return to Molineux.
England worldwide Morgan Gibbs-White and the in-form Chris Wooden struck earlier than half-time to take Forest to inside six factors of leaders Liverpool, who they host of their subsequent Premier League sport.
Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.
Defeat leaves Wolves exterior the relegation zone solely due to objective distinction as they suffered a primary defeat beneath new boss Vitor Pereira.
Forest stay third within the desk however transfer stage on factors with Arsenal.
Even when a shock title problem proves past Espirito Santo’s males, they’re increase a spectacular cushion within the race for Champions League soccer subsequent season.
They’re 5 factors away from fifth-placed Newcastle and 6 in entrance of struggling champions Manchester Metropolis in sixth.
A top-four end would assure a return to the continent’s elite competitors for the primary time in 45 years for the two-time European champions.
Nevertheless, fifth may be adequate relying on how English membership fare in European competitors this season.
Gibbs-White savoured his return to the membership the place he spent the early a part of his profession.
In entrance of the watching new England supervisor Thomas Tuchel, the midfielder did his case for additional worldwide recognition no hurt with a cool end from Antony Elanga’s move.
Forest’s surprising rise from battling relegation till the ultimate day of final season into Champions League contenders has been construct on a stable defence and Wooden’s purple patch.
The New Zealand worldwide turned in Callum Hudson-Odoi’s low cross for his twelfth objective of the season to double the guests’ lead simply earlier than half-time.
Wolves pressed and probed for a approach again into the sport after the break however had been toothless within the absence of talisman Matheus Cunha by way of suspension.
Mats Sels was pressured into one good save to disclaim Jorgen Strand Larsen to protect a ninth clear sheet of the season and fourth in a row.
That solidity is acquainted to Wolves followers from Espirito Santo’s time in control of their membership between 2017 and 2021.
The Portuguese coach led Wanderers from the Championship into Europe for the primary time in 39 years.
Now after troubled spells at Tottenham and Saudi membership Al-Ittihad, he’s recreating that magic to depart Forest followers in dreamland.
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