Nottingham Forest secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Brentford, ending their unbeaten home run at the Gtech Community Stadium. The win not only marked the first home defeat of the season for Brentford but also strengthened Forest’s position in the Premier League’s top four, a place they had occupied since Manchester City’s recent slip-up.
Forest’s approach to the match was a perfect blend of discipline and counter-attacking precision. The visitors absorbed early pressure from Brentford, who were aggressive from the outset, but managed to break the deadlock through two clinical goals. Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga found the net, both goals exploiting defensive disorganization from the home side.
The opening goal came in the 36th minute when Aina finished off a well-worked move involving Neco Williams and Chris Wood. Williams delivered a ball from the left, and Wood, making a clever dummy run, allowed Aina to meet the pass and score with a low finish. The second goal came in the second half, with Elanga capitalizing on a misjudged clearance from Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter. Elanga calmly placed his shot into the bottom corner to seal the victory.
Brentford, despite their early dominance, struggled to break down Forest’s defensive resilience. They had some promising moments, with Mikkel Damsgaard forcing a save from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels early on, and Kristoffer Ajer’s volley late in the match requiring another good save from Sels. However, Brentford’s offensive efforts lacked the sharpness to find the back of the net, with Forest’s defense, led by Nikola Milenkovic, holding firm. Milenkovic’s composed tackles on Damsgaard and Kevin Schade highlighted his elite reading of the game and played a key role in Forest’s defensive stability.
Forest’s tactical approach was well-executed, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo deploying a three-man defense that frequently operated as a five. This allowed Forest to absorb Brentford’s pressure while maintaining the ability to strike on the counter. The visitors’ solid defensive performance, combined with their clinical finishing, proved to be the perfect formula for success at a venue that had been a fortress for Brentford.
The victory was particularly significant for Forest, as it continued their impressive away form. With 17 points from away games, they are second only to Chelsea in terms of away performance this season. Their defense, having conceded fewer goals than all but Liverpool and Arsenal, is one of the most stingy in the league, and their ability to maintain composure under pressure has been a hallmark of their success.
While the win was a major achievement, Nuno Espírito Santo was quick to temper expectations, insisting that there is still a long way to go in the season. He stressed that the team’s focus should remain on improvement, rather than getting caught up in the league table. However, the Forest fans, who were in full voice throughout the match, were clearly enjoying the moment, celebrating a victory that not only ended Brentford’s unbeaten home record but also sent a strong message about their ambitions for the rest of the season.
For Brentford, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Manager Thomas Frank acknowledged that his team had been on top for large periods of the game but lacked the cutting edge needed to convert possession into goals. Despite creating several dangerous moments, they were unable to break down Forest’s resolute defense. The loss leaves Brentford with much to reflect on, especially as they prepare for a busy festive period.
For Forest, the victory added another layer to their growing reputation as one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season. With a solid defense, clinical attack, and a manager who knows how to set up his team to get results, they are well-positioned to continue their push for European football. As the festive period continues, Forest’s Champions League dreams remain very much alive, and their fans will be hoping for more performances like this one.
