Nottingham Forest’s unbelievable start to the season continued as they beat Brentford 2-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium to move up to third in the Premier League.
Thomas Frank’s team started the game in control, consistently forcing Forest keeper Matz Sels to make good saves. The standout was from Mikkel Damsgaard’s shot from 12 yards out, as the Belgian made a fine save down to his right.
The Tricky Trees had their first real chance when in-form striker Chris Wood powered a header towards Brentford’s goal, but Mark Flekken was equal to the effort and kept the score at 0-0.
The deadlock was eventually broken by Nigerian international Ola Aina, who ghosted into the box and casually slotted home under no pressure from the Brentford defence.
Then, just six minutes into the second period, Forest doubled their lead as Anthony Elanga scored a low-driven effort from just outside the box for his second goal in as many games.
Brentford spent the majority of the rest of the game trying to find a way through an organised Forest defence, but couldn’t, meaning Forest took the three points and got their third win on the bounce.
So, Forest continue their incredible form, but what did we learn from it?
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The move to a back three works
Throughout his managerial career, Nuno Espírito Santo has often used a back three and opted for wing backs when his side is attacking, namely at Wolves.
However, during his time at the City Ground, the Portuguese often used a standard back four, but Nuno thought the trip down to Gtech Community Stadium was the ideal time to pull out an old favourite.
And it worked exactly how the Portuguese would have hoped. It allowed the Tricky Trees to deal with the aerial onslaught that Thomas Frank’s side is famed for, as the centre-backs - Nikola Milenković, Murillo, and Morato – frequently coolly headed the ball away.
With the Bees consistently having possession high up the pitch in wide areas, Forest's wingbacks allowed them to exploit spaces left in wide areas and looked deadly on the counter.
It also meant the two-time European Cup winners looked incredibly comfortable when they did not have the ball, so the fact that they only had 36% of it was not an issue at all.
The formation is yet another string to Nottingham Forest’s bow. They continue to be one of the hardest teams in the Premier League to play against.
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Morgan Gibbs-White relishes a deeper role
The role of the traditional attacking midfield is one that is fading in football. That is one of the reasons why Morgan Gibbs-White has so many admirers, as he is one of the last of a dying breed.
The 24-year-old's effect on the game in the number 10 role is absolutely remarkable, and he often acts as the creator for his team.
But against Brentford, the England international was asked to take up a different position, a more traditional number eight. It was entirely alien to Gibbs-White, as he had played there at Wolves in the past, but it was the first time in a long while that he started a game there, and he was fantastic.
Starting alongside Elliot Anderson meant he had slightly more licence to get forward, as the former Newcastle United man would sit further back and allow Gibbs-white to advance into the final third.
But make no mistake: Gibbs-White put in an absolute shift defensively.
He made clearances in deep areas when his team was under pressure, intercepted the ball as Brentford sought to build momentum, and perhaps most impressively, won nine out of 12 duals on the ground.
His ability to adapt to a new position so smoothly is extraordinary and is testament to what a great player Gibbs-White is becoming.
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Ola Aina is key to Forest’s success
It has taken some time, but Ola Aina is now finally showing his quality in the Premier League.
He came through at Chelsea’s famed youth academy and was quite well thought of in West London and even made a handful of appearances for the first team, but like with many Chelsea academy graduates, he eventually had to seek new pastures.
The English-born Nigerian international went to Torino and impressed, but a loan move to Fulham in 2020/21 saw him relegated with the Cottagers and eventually, upon his return to Italy, was released by Torino.
The 28-year-old then found himself at Nottingham Forest and, for the first season, was in and out of the XI. But now, in his second campaign, Aina had become indispensable to Nuno’s side, and this game in London proved it.
Aina was up and down the pitch but knew exactly when to go and when to stay. His goal – just his second for the Tricky Trees – was a prime example of that. As he noticed the Brentford defence get narrow, he quietly entered the box from wide and calmly slotted home to give his side the lead.
Not only that, he was ultra positive with the ball at his feet, putting six passes into Brentford's final third.
Whether as a wingback or a fullback, Aina is crucial to this team’s current success and may very well be the best right-back in the league at the minute.
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This was a landmark victory for Forest
A lot of neutrals are enjoying Forest’s bid to rock the applecart and gatecrash the traditional top six, but many also believe that this run will eventually come to an end and thought Brentford would be the place for it, given the Bees’ extraordinary home record.
No team in the Premier League has picked up more points at home than Brentford this season, with 22 of their 23 points coming at the Gtech Community Stadium. Prior to Forest’s visit, they had not suffered defeat at home.
Which is why this win is one of the best victories of the season for Nuno’s side so far, maybe only second to the victory at Anfield over Liverpool.
The result shows that this Forest team are not just a flash in the pan; they are the real deal.
If they can win at the Gtech, they can win just about anywhere.
