Match Report: Brentford 2-1 Nottingham Forest. Late Dasilva goal breaks Forest hearts.

 

Brentford secured a big three points in their race for European football after beating a relegation threatened Nottingham Forest 2-1 courtesy of two late goals. A first half goal from Danilo was cancelled out by a Ivan Toney free kick and stoppage time strike from Josh Dasilva as Forest are hit a new low as they are dragged closer to the bottom three after leaving it following a 3-1 win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek.

Thomas Frank made four changes to his side that beat Chelsea 2-0. Zanka, Frank Onyeka, Mads Roerslev and Yoane Wissa made way for Aaron Hickey, Mikkel Damsgaard, Bryan Mbuemo and Kevin Schade. Steve Cooper was forced into one change following that shock win against high flying Brighton. Neco Willams came out and in came captain Joe Worrall. Cooper confirmed in the week that Williams will miss the remainder season after fracturing his jaw after a collision with teammate Brennan Johnson.

A quiet first half in West London but it was the home side who came close. A Mathias Jensen long throw caused problems as the ball bobbled around in the box and Ethan Pinnock got his shot off and was denied by Navas. The experienced keeper was quick to react to a rebound coming in and he somehow kept the score at 0-0.

Just before half time, Forest took a rare away lead. Moussa Niakhate sent a long throw into the box and it was cleared as far as Morgan Gibbs-White who's effort was deflected into the path of Danilo who finished from just a couple of yards out. Two goals in two games for the January signing who got a birthday treat as he celebrated towards the away end. It is just a fourth time the Reds had took the lead in a league away game.

That goal sending Forest into the break with a rare lead away from home as they looked to make it back to back wins in the league for the first time since January. Both sides struggled to create chances in the first half but that moment of luck shocking Brentford and Thomas Frank needed a response in the second half.

An acrobatic effort almost brought Brentford level. A corner from substitute Saman Ghoddos was poorly cleared and defender Ben Mee went for an overhead kick but his effort just going over the bar. The former Burnley defender trying to add to his three goals he had already picked up this season,

Just a few minutes later, Brentford found their equaliser. Top scorer Toney curled a free kick round the wall and Navas pushed it onto the post but it deflected back off the keeper and into the back of the net. Goal number 20 in the Premier League for the English striker who has now scored in his last three games against the East Midlands side. A goal Navas would have been disappointed with after putting in some good performances lately.

In stoppage time it was Brentford who won the game. Following the away side going down to ten man after Danilo went off injured, the home side were pushing for the winner and Dasilva had time and space to shoot from the edge of the box and he beat Navas at his near post to win the game. A fourth goal for the midfielder this season but it was a lengthy wait to see if the goal was given but in the end VAR gave the goal after a tight offside appeal. Another goal that Navas would be disappointed with as fingers were pointed at the keeper for two mistakes.

That was the final action of the game as Brentford made it two league wins in a row. The Bees remain 9^th in the table but are still fighting for a European spot following a very impressive season for a side who was just in the Championship two seasons ago. Next up for the West London side is a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool where they will be searching for three wins in a row. A frustrating afternoon for Forest as they will end the game week in the bottom three once all the matches are played. The Reds next have a massive game at home to bottom club Southampton where they will look for a performance similar to their victory over Brighton.

Match Report: Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest. Liverpool grab three points in tight affair.

 

In a game where set pieces ultimately decided the result, Liverpool beat struggling Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Anfield to boost their European hopes. Goals from Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White were not enough for Forest as two goals from Diogo Jota and a winning strike from Mohammed Salah got the three points for the side from Merseyside.

Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged team after his side ran rampant at Leeds United on Monday night winning 6-1. It was a totally different side from the Liverpool side that gifted Forest their second league win of the season in the reverse fixture with five different faces in the eleven. Steve Cooper made one change to his side that were defeated by Manchester United with Orel Mangala coming in for top scorer Brennan Johnson as Forest went to a three man midfield.

Liverpool almost took the lead on the 37 minute mark after a Trent Alexander Arnold free kick was met by Virgil Van Dijk and his header was brilliantly tipped over by keeper Keylor Navas. The on loan PSG man looking for another good performance after playing well against Manchester United despite the defeat.

Another set piece caused problems for the away side as it was Alexander Arnold delivered again and this time it was Konate who won it this time and his header was cleared off the line by former Liverpool man Williams to keep the score at 0-0.

That was it for the first half as both sides went into the dressing room level. Liverpool were causing Forest problems from set pieces and Forest did not know how to deal with them. For the away side it was a half to have positives about as most predicted a heavy defeat for Coopers side but they were doing well to hold off Klopp's men.

Early in the second half, those Liverpool set pieces finally paid off. Alexander-Arnold again sending it in and Fabinho headed across goal to Jota who headed home from close range. It was the perfect start for the hosts in the second half as they finally found a breakthrough against a resilient Forest.

The visitors then got what felt like an unexpected equaliser and it was through former Liverpool man Williams. Gibbs-White sent the ball across to the Welshman who was open after a Forest counter attack and his shot deflected of Robertson and found the back of the net. It is a first goal for Williams in a Forest shirt after making a £17 million pound move in the summer.

Just four minutes later, yet another set piece put Liverpool in front. Robertson sent in a free kick from deep left and he found an open Jota who brought the ball down and found the far bottom corner. It is just a fourth league goal for the Portuguese man as he found himself completely open due to Forest seemingly falling asleep. Just like the first half, set pieces proving to cause problems for Forest.

The away side then equalised for the second time in the afternoon. A long throw from Moussa Niakhate was headed away only as far as Gibbs-White and his first time volley deflected into the bottom corner. It is a first away goal for the record signing and the first time Forest had scored two goals in a league away game all season.

The goals kept flowing as twelve minutes from time another Liverpool set piece found the back of the net. Alexander Arnold finally getting his assist and his cross was put in by Salah at the back post after loosing his man. Goal number 16 in the league for the Reds top scorer as the hosts to the lead for the third time in the afternoon.

Forest were putting on pressure after going behind again. Substitute Johnson had a golden chance. From a long throw that caused problems, the Welshman was put through and he tried to lob it over Alisson and ended up hitting the bar and the Reds were coming close to an equaliser.

That equaliser never came for Forest and they were condemned to a eleventh game without a win at Anfield. The defeat has dropped the Reds down to 19^th in the Premier League table just three points clear of the bottom and one point from safety but are still very much in the race for survival. Liverpool move up to 7^th in the table in the table and are now four unbeaten in the league and are trying to end on a high after a disappointing season. Next up for the Red half of Merseyside is a trip to West Ham United as they will look to brush another side threatened with relegation. Forest host European chasing Brighton & Hove Albion at the City Ground where they will look for that winning feeling again after a good performance at last years UEFA Champions League finalists.

Match Report: Aston Villa 2-0 Nottingham Forest. Villa pile more misery on Forest.

 

Aston Villa kept up their good run of form in the Premier League after beating relegation threatened Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the Villa Park sunshine. Second half goals from Bertrand Traore and Ollie Watkins proved enough for the side from Birmingham as Forest fall to nine games without a win and a clean sheet.

Unai Emery named an unchanged team from the side that beat Leicester City in the week as Villa looked to keep up this great run of form. Steve Cooper made three changes to his side that lost at Leeds United in the week. Orel Mangala, Remo Freuler and Emmanuel Dennis came out the side with Jonjo Shelvey, Cheikhou Kouyate and Joe Worrall replacing them as Cooper switched to a five at the back formation.

The first half did not offer many efforts at all but within the first minute, in form man Watkins came close. A clearance from Forest defender Moussa Niakhate was blocked by a Villa man and fell to Watkins and his effort flashed past the far post as Villa were looking to punish Forest early on.

That was it for the first half. Neither side were creating many chances but from a performance point of view, the away side improved from the defeat at Leeds but could not find a way past the Villa defence. Both sides were forced into changes in the first half through injury. Leon Bailey was replaced by Traore for Villa and Freuler replaced Kouyate for the away side.

Just two minutes into the second half, Aston Villa took the lead. A ball over the top on the right side put Traore in behind and the winger entered the box. His cross was pushed away by Keylor Navas but fell straight back for Traore who finished into the far corner. It is two goals in two games for the former Chelsea winger who at the start of the season was loaned out by former manager Steven Gerrard.

Forest did have one of their only real chances of the game. Brazilian midfielder Danilo broke through the middle and tried from distance but it was comfortable for the World Cup winner Emiliano Martrinez who was barely troubled all afternoon.

A golden chance came the way of the home side through Emiliano Buendia. Villa got down the left side and Alex Moreno, who almost joined Forest in the summer, pulled the ball back for Buendia but he could not get his shot on target as Forest were looking more vulnerable since they conceded.

That vulnerability showed as Watkins doubled the host's lead in stoppage time. Forest went down to ten men as Niakhate was forced off, this gave Villa space in the box as they broke into the penalty area and after some patient play Jacob Ramsey put a ball across to Watkins who composed himself and put past Forest keeper Navas. The forward adding to his tally after picking up form really well as of late after now getting a goal contribution in ten of his last eleven games.

That was the final action of the game as Villa grab an important three points in their late charge for European football. For Forest their dismal form continues and have now slipped into the relegation zone after Bournemouth beat Leicester City and slowly Forest fans are losing hope. Next up for Cooper's side is Manchester United at the City Ground, a team who have already beaten Forest three times this season. Newcastle United are the team next up for Villa where they will look to make it five league wins in a row.

Match Report: Leeds United 2-1 Nottingham Forest. Leeds grab vital win against hopeless Forest.

 

Leeds United came from behind to beat relegation rivals Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Elland Road in a crunch match at the bottom end of the Premier League table. Goals from Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra cancelled out Orel Mangals's opening strike as the home side push their way up the table and away from the relegation zone. It is looking bleak for Forest as it is no win in eight games for Steve Cooper's side as they keep finding their way closer to the dreaded bottom three week by week.

Javi Gracia made two changes to his side that were heavily defeated by Arsenal at the weekend. Weston McKennie and Patrick Bamford came in for Rasmus Kristensen and Crysencio Summerville as he looked for more attacking threat. Cooper named an unchanged side from the draw with Wolves. There was a change on the bench though as Gustavo Scrapa was deemed fit enough for the matchday squad.

The visitors came close to taking the lead early on in the game. A Morgan Gibbs-White corner caused confusion at the front post which gave Emmanuel Dennis a chance from close range. The Nigerian, who has started the last three games for the Reds, got his effort off and hit the woodwork. The summer signing has only scored two goals since joining from Watford for a hefty fee.

The Reds did then take a rare lead away from home after 12 minutes. Dennis, who was causing problems on the left side with his pace and skill, played a low ball to the edge of the box and found Mangala and he struck from just inside the box and found the bottom corner to open his Forest account. The Reds now up their away goals tally to five in the Premier League as the away fans finally had something to celebrate away from the City Ground.

Just eight minutes later, Leeds were level. Marc Roca decided to let fly from the edge of the box which Keylor Navas pushed away, only into the path of Harrison as he pounced and brought the Whites level. The former Manchester City man getting his fourth goal of the season as he punished Navas for pushing the ball into a dangerous area.

Leeds then completed their turnaround just before half time. Summer signing Sinisterra shot from the left side of the penalty area found the far corner and raised the Elland Road roof as they were in front. It is a third league goal for the Colombian who made the move over from Dutch side Feyernoord in the summer and was causing a lot of problems down the left wing, especially for Neco Williams.

That was it for the first half as Leeds took a vital lead into the break. The visiting team were not causing problems for home side as they lacked to show any fight since they scored as the Whites controlled the half. A big team talk was needed by Cooper if he wanted to relieve any pressure he had on his job.

Just like the first half, Sinisterra was causing a lot of issues for the Forest right side early on in the second half. In similar fashion to his goal, the Colombian shot from distance looking for the far corner but it just went wide of Navas' goal.

Leeds almost added a third through former Forest man Bamford. The Reds would of only had themselves to blame if he found the net as Felipe and Williams both went up for a header which put the ball into the path of Bamford but the Grantham born striker could only put it wide. That incident summed up the night for Forest as they were poor all over the pitch and were making poor decisions.

Forest could not find an equalizer and fall to yet another defeat on the road. The pressure will be mounting on boss Cooper as the Reds are winless in eight and sit 17^th in the table on goal difference. A crucial win for the side from Yorkshire as they now sit 13^th in the table two points clear of the relegation zone. Next up for Leeds is a home game against Crystal Palace where they will look for two wins on the bounce. Forest travel to an inform Aston Villa on Saturday where three points is vital.

Match Report: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Late Podence equaliser denies Forest first win in seven.

 

In a game that promised to be a fiery encounter, Nottingham Forest and Wolves had to settle for a point each after playing out a 1-1 draw at the City Ground. Brennan Johnson's first half goal was cancelled out by a late Daniel Podence strike as both sides still find themselves in a battle for Premier League survival.

Steve Cooper made five changes to his side that were beat by Newcastle United before the international break. Ryan Yates and Serge Aurier missed out through injury and they were replaced by Neco Williams and Remo Freuler. Other changes included Renan Lodi, Jonjo Shelvey and Andre Ayew dropping to the bench, in came Harry Toffolo, Orel Mangala and Brazilian midfielder Danilo. Julen Lopetegui also made five changes to his side who were defeated by Leeds United. Jonny missed out through suspension and in came Toti Gomes, The other changes came further up the pitch as Joao Gomes, Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence and Raul Jimenez came out for Joao Moutinho, Matheus Nunes, Adama Tarore and Matheus Cunha.

Half way through the first half, it was the visitors who almost took the lead. Nunes sent in a cross from the left side of the pitch and it was met by Cunha and his header came off the crossbar. The Brazilian has only scored one league goal since making a move from Athletico Madrid in January.

The home side then took the lead on the 38 minute mark. After some nice play from former Wolves man Morgan Gibbs-White and Danilo on the edge of the area in a tight space, the Brazilian midfielder then lifted the ball over the Wanderers defence and Johnson was there to meet it and he put the ball through the legs of keeper Jose Sa and pout Forest into the lead. It is an eighth Premier League goal for the 21 year old and he now has three goals in his last three home games.

That was it for the first half and it was the Reds who went into half time with an important lead. Goal scorer Johnson was booked for simulation just minutes before the interval as he thought he won his side a penalty but the referee made the right call and booked the Welshman. Wolves struggled to create many chances in that first half despite seeing a lot of the ball. This resulted in Lopetegui making two attacking changes at the break. Midfielder's Mario Lemina and Moutinho came off for Podence and Pablo Sarabia.

Ten minutes into the second half, the visitors then had a penalty claim denied by referee Chris Kavanagh. It was Traore who went down in the box under defender Felipe but Kavanagh did not see enough in the challenge to warrant a penalty. Following the incident, there was an incident on the touchline involving both sides benches. In the end Forest assistant manager Alan Tate and Wolves assistant Pablo Sanz were both sent off.

Forest then had a chance to potentially kill off the game. Gibbs-White with a fabulous ball to put Emmanuel Dennis through on goal. The Nigerian tried to get it on to his preferred right foot which slowed the attack down and his shot was saved by Sa. There was an option of Gibbs-White as well in the middle but Dennis couldn't seem to find him.

Wolves then found their equaliser seven minutes from time. Ruben Neves sent in a free kick deep into the box. After Felipe headed away, the ball eventually fell to Neto and his deflected shot found its way to Podence who calmly finished past Keylor Navas and sending the away end into raptures. The former Olympiacos man now has six goals for the season and scoring his first since January.

The match finished level and both sides are still in the battle to survive. Forest are now without a win in seven games and sit 14^th, just two points above the bottom three. It is now no win in three for Wanderers after beating Tottenham Hotspur in early March. They sit just above Forest in 13^th and are three points clear of 18^th place Leicester City. Next up for the Reds is a trip to Leeds United on Tuesday night for a massive fixture at the bottom end of the table and they will be looking to do the double over them after beating the Whites in February. Wolves next host an out of form Chelsea where a win would take them further away from the bottom three.