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 9th 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.
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