Brentford dealt a blow to Nottingham Forest’s hopes of securing Champions League football with an impressive win at the City Ground.
Just four days on from losing against Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, Forest lacked the creativity required to break down a well-disciplined Brentford.
Forward Kevin Schade set the visitors on their way just before half-time with a prodded shot from close range.
Forest put a lacklustre opening 45 minutes behind them when returning in torrential rain after the break, stepping up the pace of their play and asking questions of their opponents.
Winger Anthony Elanga went closest to finding an equaliser when chopping into the box and forcing a fine save from Mark Flekken.
Chris Wood headed comfortably wide from six yards with his only real opportunity of note.
But as Forest grew in confidence, Brentford struck on the counter and Yoane Wissa delivered the decisive blow with a deft chip.
Defeat keeps Forest sixth but just two points shy of third-placed Newcastle with four games to play, while Brentford remain 11th and still firmly in the race for a European berth.
Flat Forest fail to deliver
Nuno Espirito Santo spoke about Forest’s final five games of the season being the “biggest of our careers” in the build-up to this encounter, but that wasn’t enough to draw a reaction from his troops.
Following a disappointing showing on the big stage at Wembley against Manchester City, it was imperative that Forest quickly got back on the horse in the league with the Champions League in their sights.
However, much like the FA Cup semi-final, Forest lacked in all areas as Brentford found life far too easy at a ground that has been a fortress for most of 2024-25.
Elliot Anderson registered Forest’s only shot on target in the first half but it was a routine save for Flekken.
Nuno opted to shake things up at the break with Nicolas Dominguez brought on for Callum Hudson-Odoi and it initially appeared to be the right call as Forest started brightly.
Elanga, despite being isolated, managed to carve out a sight at goal after driving into the box and his shot was destined for the bottom corner until Flekken tipped it away for a corner.
Wood, who is only one goal shy of becoming the second Forest player to hit 20 in a Premier League season after Stan Collymore (22), struggled to impose himself on the game.
With four games left to play and at least five spaces up for grabs in the Champions League, Forest still remain firmly in the hunt, but defeat – a third in four league outings – means they have lost some control of their destiny and need to rely on others to drop points.
Bees boost European hopes
Brentford last featured on 19 April and that 12-day break between games looked to be hugely beneficial as they grabbed control of proceedings from the outset.
Sepp van den Berg should have broken the deadlock on 17 minutes when his header from point-blank range forced a smart save from Matz Sels.
Their efforts almost looked to be in vain until Schade lost his man to run in from the left wing and wriggle away from a slipping Ola Aina before finishing.
Brentford were happy to sit back after the restart, trusting they had enough on the counter, and their patience paid off.
Wissa latched on to a long ball from goalkeeper Flekken and with only Sels to beat he showed great composure.
Bryan Mbeumo almost grabbed a third in the closing stages but the Cameroon forward sat back on his shot and it curled over the bar.
Despite not moving up in the standings, Brentford have ensured they are in the race for European football and on track to challenge for their best finish in the Premier League – they finished ninth in 2022-23.
[BBC]