It was a memorable afternoon for Ivan Toney and Brentford as the side from West London came out as 3-2 winners over Nottingham Forest. Goals from Toney, Ben Mee and Neal Maupay seal a first win in five for the Bees who condemn Nuno Espírito Santo to his second defeat for the Reds.
Thomas Frank made three changes from the side that lost 3-2 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup. There was a change in between the sticks as Thomas Strakosha was replaced by Mark Flekken. Kristoffer Ajer was replaced in defence by Ethan Pinnock. A big change saw the return of striker Toney after serving his long suspension from betting breaches. He replaced Josh Dasilva. Nuno Espírito Santo made two changes from the side that beat Blackpool in the FA Cup. Matt Turner returned in goal and replaced Odysseys Vlachodimos and Neco Williams dropped to the bench as Gonzalo Montiel came in. Andrew Omobamidele made his first start in the Premier League for Forest after scoring his first Reds goal in midweek at Blackpool.
After just three minutes, Forest got off to the perfect start as Danilo fired them into the lead. A headed clearance dropped perfectly for the Brazilian who’s volley found the bottom corner from the edge of the box. The midfielder, who scored in this fixture last season, getting his first goal in the Premier League this season and making it two in two after scoring at Blackpool in the week.
Brentford were level though after 19 minutes and it was the returning man Toney. The striker curled a free kick from the right around the wall and into the bottom corner to bring the game level. It was extremely similar to the goal he scored against Forest last season in which was his final goal before suspension.
The home side were very close to taking the lead with half an hour played. Toney peeled round the back post from a corner and he put it across for Keane Lewis-Potter to hit the bar from the six yard box. Toney having a huge impact on the game as Lewis-Potter came close to scoring his third goal of the season.
That was it for the first half as both teams went in level. Forest started the better team but Brentford gradually grew into the game and using their physicality to cause Forest problems.
The home side then completed their turn around through centre back Ben Mee just before the hour mark. A Mathias Jensen corner found the former Burnley defender completely unmarked at the front post and he headed past Turner to score. A poor bit of defending from Forest and another goal that they have conceded in the air.
But Forest drew level through top scorer Chris Wood. Callum Hudson-Odoi with a cross from the left side and the New Zealand international directed his header towards goal and found the back of the net. Wood enjoying a successful season after struggling at the start of his Forest career. He is silencing the critics with seven league goals to his name this season and is thriving under Nuno.
Momentum flowed as Forest almost took the lead minutes later. Hudson-Odoi’s cross finding Wood again who brought the ball down for Mangala who’s effort from the edge of the box went just wide.
Brentford then retook the lead with just over 20 minutes to go. A cross from Mads Roerslev came to Maupay who, while on the spin, brought it down and found the bottom corner. The striker with just his second league goal of the season which VAR did have to check for a possible handball but it was given the green light and Brentford were in front.
Forest pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t create anything as Brentford came away with the points. A big win for the London side who leapfrog both Forest and Crystal Palace into 14th and sit six points clear of relegation. They next travel up to Tottenham Hotspur where they will look to build upon this win. Forest falling to defeat despite being in front yet again as they fall to a first defeat in four games in all competitions. The Reds are now 16th in the league and four points clear of the bottom three. It’s cup action for the Reds next as they travel to Championship side Bristol City.
