Nottingham Forest kicked off their Premier League campaign in sensational fashion, securing a dominant 3-1 victory over Brentford at the City Ground. A first-half brace from Chris Wood and a debut goal for new signing Dan Ndoye put the game to bed before halftime. While Brentford managed a consolation penalty through Igor Thiago, it was a dream start for Nuno Espírito Santo's side, who looked sharp and clinical from the first whistle.
The City Ground was electric, and Nottingham Forest fed off the energy from the opening minutes. The hosts wasted no time in getting their season going, as Chris Wood scored just five minutes into the game. After a corner kick caused chaos in the Brentford box, Wood reacted quickest to poke the ball home.
Forest continued to dominate the first half, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson pulling the strings in midfield. The pressure paid off again in the 42nd minute when new signing Dan Ndoye made it 2-0. A superb, whipped cross from Gibbs-White found the Swiss international, who headed home on his debut to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
The relentless pressure didn't stop there. On the stroke of halftime, Forest emphatically sealed the game. A perfectly weighted through ball from Elliot Anderson found Chris Wood, who calmly rounded Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to slot home his second of the game. It was a half-time scoreline that Nuno's side thoroughly deserved.
Brentford, under new manager Keith Andrews, looked disorganized and were unable to cope with Forest's pace and precision in attack. They showed some improvement in the second half and were awarded a penalty after an Ibrahim Sangaré handball. Igor Thiago stepped up to convert the spot-kick in the 78th minute, but it was too little, too late for the visitors.
Player Ratings & Key Performances
The star of the show for Nottingham Forest was undoubtedly Chris Wood. The New Zealand international picked up right where he left off last season, bagging an impressive brace that showcased his instincts in the box and his composure in front of goal. Alongside him, the midfield duo of Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson were simply magnificent. Gibbs-White’s creativity and pinpoint passing were a constant threat, and he was the architect of the second goal. Anderson was equally brilliant, with his masterful first-time pass for the third goal being a moment of pure class. New signing Dan Ndoye also had a debut to remember, scoring his first goal for the club.
For Brentford, it was a tough day at the office. The new-look team lacked cohesion, and few players stood out. New goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was beaten three times, but a couple of good saves prevented the scoreline from being even more embarrassing. The consolation goal from Igor Thiago was one of the few bright spots, and his well-taken penalty will hopefully be a sign of things to come for the striker. However, the collective defensive performance will be a major concern for new boss Keith Andrews.
What This Result Means for Both Teams
For Nottingham Forest, this is a statement victory. It proves that the team's promising end to last season was no fluke and that they can be a serious force. The win will fill the team with confidence, and the performances of key players like Wood, Gibbs-White, and Anderson suggest they will be a dangerous side this season, especially at the City Ground.
For Brentford, this is a harsh dose of reality for new manager Keith Andrews. The departure of key players like Bryan Mbeumo and Thomas Frank's tactical nous was evident. The team looked disjointed and vulnerable defensively, especially from set pieces. While it's only the first game, this defeat highlights the significant work ahead for Andrews and his squad.
