At a glance
- Igor Jesus scores second Premier League goal of season to give Nottingham Forest lead
- Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi scores late to seal victory
- Brentford lose at home in Premier League for just the second time this season
- Forest move five points clear of third-bottom West Ham
- PLAYER RATINGS
Nottingham Forest gave their hopes of Premier League survival a major boost with a hard-fought win against Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium.
Goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi proved decisive in a victory that moved them level on points with 16th-placed Leeds United, but crucially five clear of third-bottom West Ham.
Brentford began brightly and were unlucky not to open the scoring after just 94 seconds with Igor Thiago poking wide.
But the visitors struck in the 12th minute when Igor Jesus found the far corner in style after initially controlling on his chest before swivelling and volleying beyond Caoimhin Kelleher.
The hosts had ample warning the Brazilian required closer attention, having seen him spurn another opportunity five minutes earlier.
Forest had won just three of their previous 11 away Premier League games prior to Sunday’s encounter and retreated into their shell after going in front as nerves started settled in.
Substitute Sepp van den Berg, who replaced injured defender Kristoffer Ajer in the 37th minute, was inches away from an equaliser on the stroke of half-time after heading narrowly wide.
The Bees dominated possession and territory after the break but failed to register a single shot on target.
Igor Thiago went closest with a half volley that strayed wide in the final 15 minutes as Forest held on tightly to their narrow advantage.
With time running out, Brentford were caught on the counter when Awoniyi showed strength to hold off a defender before finishing through Kelleher’s legs for his first league goal in a year.
Brentford analysis: No home comfort for below-par Bees
Media caption,
Brentford not clinical enough against Forest – Andrews
Losing at home is not something Brentford have been accustomed to this season, with Manchester City the only other side to claim victory at the Gtech.
Only the league’s top three – Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa – have collected more points on their own patch than the Bees.
Brentford asked questions after falling behind in the first half but were rebuffed by a well-disciplined Forest backline.
The same could not be said about their performance after the restart as they looked flat and were far too reliant on long throws in the area.
Top scorer Igor Thiago was bright and made some nice runs in behind but was often isolated in the final third.
The defeat was further compounded by injuries to key figures, with Norway defender Ajer – who signed a contract extension earlier in the week – and midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard leaving the field with what appeared to be knee problems.
Brentford remain eighth and four points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest analysis: Strikers step up to relieve pressure
Media caption,
Dyche pleased with ‘resilient’ Forest in Brentford victory
Forest spent around £180m in the summer but their new signings have struggled to settle and shine under a succession of managers.
Sean Dyche, who took charge in October and is Forest’s third boss of the campaign, recently urged patience and suggested the players will need time to adapt to his style.
So he will have been pleased Igor Jesus – one of those summer arrivals – was on target for the opener.
The Brazilian looked a player full of confidence when he controlled on his chest and finished emphatically, rather than a striker whose only other league goal was at Wolves at the start of December, with seven others coming in cup competitions.
New signing Lorenzo Lucca was not named in the matchday squad after agreeing a loan switch from Napoli on Thursday.
Awoniyi, who replaced Igor Jesus in the 68th minute, gave the visitors breathing space with the late second, having last registered a goal in a win at Wolves on 6 January, 2025.
It was a superb run and finish, and wonderful moment for the Nigeria forward, who underwent emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma following a serious abdominal injury in May when he collided with the post in a league draw with Leicester City.
After a disappointing night for Forest in the Europa League on Thursday, with defeat at Braga meaning they require a play-off to reach the knockout phase, victory in London – and a third game unbeaten – provided some much-needed relief.
What’s next for these teams?
Brentford travel to Aston Villa for their next Premier League outing on Sunday, 1 February (14:00 GMT).
Nottingham Forest host Hungarian club Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday, 29 January (20:00), with their next league outing against Crystal Palace at the City Ground on Sunday, 1 February (14:00).
Average rating
8.30
Source: BBC
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