Brentford dealt a significant blow to Nottingham Forest’s Champions League qualification hopes with an impressive 2-0 victory at the City Ground on Thursday night. Goals in each half from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa secured a deserved win for the visitors.
Forest, potentially feeling the effects of their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City just four days prior, missed the chance to move up to third in the Premier League table. Brentford, fresh from a 12-day break, looked sharper and took the lead shortly before halftime. A long ball forward was misjudged by Ola Aina, allowing Kevin Schade to run through and prod the ball past goalkeeper Matz Sels in the 44th minute.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s Forest side showed more intensity after the break, with Anthony Elanga forcing a fine save from Brentford keeper Mark Flekken after a driving run into the box. Star striker Chris Wood also headed a presentable chance wide.
However, Brentford weathered the pressure and struck decisively on the counter-attack in the 70th minute. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken launched a long ball forward which caught the Forest defence out, allowing Yoane Wissa to run clear and calmly chip the ball over the advancing Sels for his side’s second goal. Flekken’s assist was reportedly the ninth by a goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, setting a new competition record.
Forest boss Nuno admitted his side are “struggling” after a third league defeat in four games, acknowledging the performance lacked the required quality. The loss leaves Forest sixth in the table on 60 points, now behind Chelsea on goal difference and missing a key opportunity to strengthen their position in the race for a top-five finish.
Brentford remain 11th but move to 49 points, boosting their own outside chances of securing European football and closing within two points of eighth-placed Fulham.
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