Category: Nottingham forest

After Brighton’s humiliating 7-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, manager Fabian Hurzeler apologized to the supporters, acknowledging that “everything went wrong” at the City Ground.

Chris Wood continued his incredible run in the Premier League this season with a spectacular hat-trick, and following Lewis Dunk’s early own goal, Morgan Gibbs-White, Nico Williams, and Jota Silva also scored.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team responded to Bournemouth’s crushing of Forest last weekend with a resounding victory in front of a boisterous home crowd.

As a result, Forest now leads fourth-place Newcastle by five points in the standings. Eddie Howe’s team will host Fulham at St. James’ Park this afternoon.

Shortly after the final whistle, Brighton head coach Hurzeler told TNT Sports, “In the end, we are responsible for the performance, we are responsible for the result.”

“We are really disappointed because that was not the performance we wanted to give.”

We can just express our regret to all of our supporters and fans outside for this outcome and performance.

Selecting a certain player or stage of the game is not the appropriate course of action when you lose 7-0 since, in my opinion, everything went wrong.

“You win as a team in the end, and we lose as a team today, so we need to stick together, analyze it, and be honest with each other.”

Hurzeler refused to use the absence of Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari in midfield as an excuse for Brighton’s crushing defeat. The German remarked, “I wouldn’t say that was the main reason.

” Football is ultimately about doing the fundamentals correctly: sprinting, counterpressing, and reacting.

I believe that we weren’t playing at our best in these areas, which is why we weren’t able to maintain a clean sheet. Playing like this won’t get you a win in the Premier League.

 

 

 

At the City Ground on Saturday, Chris Wood scored a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest crushed Brighton 7-0 to rekindle their push for the Champions League the following season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team put on an incredible display as they recovered from a 5-0 loss at Bournemouth last weekend, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, and Jota Silva also scoring after Lewis Dunk’s own goal opened the scoring.

With the win, Forest closes the gap on sixth-place Chelsea by seven points and ties up with second-place Arsenal on points.

Due to English clubs’ impressive start in European tournaments, fifth place in the Premier League this season is nearly guaranteed to be sufficient for Champions League qualification.

Forest, who won the European Cup twice in 1979 and 1980 when the team was at its best under Brian Clough, didn’t participate in Europe again until 1996.

However, they are well on their way to ending their two-decade wait for continental competition after winning ten of their last twelve games.

Forest was only the second team in Premier League history to win by that margin after losing a match by five goals or more.

“That’s exactly what the fans wanted and what we wanted after last week,” Gibbs-White stated. “We have been working all week in training to make things right because last week was well below our standards, and the guys were amazing today.

“We caught them on the counter a couple of times and totally nullified everything they did.” In the last three minutes, we were clinical.

 

Last Saturday, Forest was dragged back to earth after suffering a crushing defeat at Bournemouth, when they gave up five goals.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team is still in third position, but they are now only three points behind Newcastle United, who are in fifth place, as they attempt to maintain their Champions League qualifying slot.

In Saturday’s early kickoff slot, the Premier League’s unexpected top performers must overcome Brighton, while the Seagulls also need to bounce back from their lackluster home loss to the resurgent Everton the previous weekend.

Before falling to the Toffees, the south coast team had won two straight league games after going on a losing streak.

 

Lewis Dunk says Brighton is at “rock bottom” after they were crushed 7-0 by Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Lewis Dunk pulled no punches as he slammed a “embarrassing” performance from Brighton in Saturday’s heavy defeat at Nottingham Forest. Brighton were hammered 7-0 by high-flying Forest at the City Ground.

 

“It is difficult to blame just one thing,” the manager of Brighton stated. “To say the tactical thing was wrong, to say that a player was not in his best shape.

They weren’t good either in or out of possession, to put it plainly. Ultimately, it comes down to unity. Today, none of us were at our best.

“We must all be honest with one another, look in the mirror, and declare that’s not how we want to play football or show ourselves.

We all accept responsibility for this outcome. Although it is difficult, we must apologize to our fans for this outcome. They are very time-consuming.

 

Chris Wood celebrates scoring his side’s third goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Brighton

Chris Wood celebrates scoring his side’s third goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Brighton (Image: PA)

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Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo hailed a “fantastic day” as he reflected on Nottingham Forest’s 7-0 destruction of Brighton and Hove Albion at the City Ground.

 

The Reds responded to last weekend’s horror show of a 5-0 thumping at Bournemouth by recording their biggest ever Premier League victory. It moved them level on points with second-placed Arsenal in the table.

 

Chris Wood bagged the second hat-trick of his Forest career while Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams and Jota Silva also got in on the act after a Lewis Dunk own goal had opened the scoring. Below is a look at what Reds head coach Nuno had to say after the final whistle Trentside.

 

On responding to the 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth…

 

“We were looking for a response. It was our responsibility to do much better because last week was not good enough. The response of the players was beyond our expectations.”

 

On whether it was Forest’s best performance of his tenure…

 

 

“I’m always looking forward to what’s ahead. I hope we continue. It is important to continue.

 

“I cannot judge if it was the best one or not. Sometimes you can lose and play good.”

 

On Gibbs-White impressing…

 

“He did great. But not only him, all the team. All the team was ruthless in the way they wanted to show their talent.

 

“Morgan was good. Chris, good. Anthony was amazing with three assists. Overall, very good. All the players did really well.”

 

On the Reds’ ruthlessness…

 

“It shows desire. But we have to realise these results are not normal in the Premier League – what happened last week and what happened today.

 

“In a very short period of time, we have been on both sides of one. When we were on the other side, we felt how difficult it was when your opponent is ruthless like we were today.

 

“There was a moment where Brighton were one-vs-one and hit the crossbar. That could change the game. We were fortunate to stay in the game and after that, it was really nice to see and beautiful. The crowd were asking for the players to go. Amazing.

 

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Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates scoring for Nottingham Forest against Brighton and Hove Albion

“We prepare as best we can. After that, there are so many circumstances in the game that can change. The intensity of our play was totally different today. This is what we expect from them – being aggressive, compact and solid.

 

“Having an extra body in the back line helped a lot to shorten the gaps. It was good. Fantastic day. What more can you ask for?

 

Nottingham Forest: Special reports

 

To celebrate the success of Nottingham Forest this season, we are writing a series of features celebrating events at the City Ground.

 

From the finances to the former managers. Looking at how the City is benefitting from what Nuno’s team are doing on the pitch.

 

We take a deep dive into Evangelos Marinakis and his aspirations for the club – can the Reds match them?

 

On the type of performance he craves…

 

“There is no measure on that. It is so different, what happened last week and what happened today. I would rather be in the middle of it – not so high and not so low, if we can be stable and sustain our levels. But it is so hard and so competitive.”

 

On whether Forest have answered any doubts levelled against them after Bournemouth…

 

“No. It will happen again. The questions and the doubts will always be present. We have to deal with that.

 

“We got beat last week and today we got up and showed. If it didn’t happen, our obligation was to go again in the next one and the next one until we get it right. This is how we should think, because not every day is going to be like today.”

 

 

 

“It was great to see. He made a couple of mistakes, but that was normal due to the long period of him not being involved.

 

“But overall he looked comfortable in the game. It was good to see Ibrahim (Sangare) get some minutes as well.

 

“It is important to get them back into the squad because we have been missing them. We have good options in midfield. I am confident that they can help us.”

 

On Murillo being substituted…

 

“Murillo went off with a dead leg. We think that was the problem. But we think he is going to be okay. We are going to assess him.

 

On the final two days of the transfer window…

 

“While the window is open, it is open. Anything can happen. But I will reinforce what I have been saying, not only to you (the media) but also to the club, more than anything our priority was to keep the players.

 

“If it is something really special; if it is a piece – a player – that we really need and it is possible, fantastic, because we are not perfect and if somebody can help us, great. But that has to be somebody really special.”

 

 

“This is not us,” Nuno Espirito Santo said to his players during their first practice following the 5-0 loss to Bournemouth to start the week. Nottingham Forest proved to be their true selves in the end.

For the first time in thirty years, they are the best Forest team.

They are no longer considered to be outsiders in the top four. Their presence is based on merit.

They are serious candidates to qualify for the Champions League.

And they are able to perform in such a ruthless, raging manner.

It had been a bad off day on the south coast for almost the whole team. To a man, they were excellent at the City Ground a week later.

Regardless of whether you consider it a fluke or a bad day, what happened against Bournemouth will instantly seem like a distant memory, replaced by one that will likely be remembered by Forest supporters for many years to come.

The Forest head coach had pressed for a response from his players during that Monday meeting on the training field and for the remainder of the week.

He never would have imagined one so dramatic and forceful.

At the City Ground, all of the queries regarding Forest and their European credentials were addressed with resolute clarity. In what has already been an incredible campaign, this was a masterclass in everything that has made them good.

Can they succeed with Nuno’s style? Yes, it can based on this evidence. The last time Forest defeated Chelsea 7-0 in the Premier League was in April 1991.

Their most memorable 7-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday was their last time scoring seven goals in the Premier League.

Two of the three goals scored by the prolific Chris Wood, who has already scored his best number in the top flight with 17 goals, were set up by his quickness and directness.

One of Forest’s better moves this January may have been to agree to a new contract with the 33-year-old that would keep him with the team until 2027.

With the calmest of penalties, he completed his hat-trick.

Elanga had previously created the second Forest goal of the day with a corner kick that found Morgan Gibbs-White’s near post run, who skillfully headed a strong header home. Yet, Gibbs-White was frequently the team’s most important player in spite of Wood’s hat-trick and Elanga’s three assists.

Forest had taken the lead after Lewis Dunk’s own goal was enticed by his cross from the right side.

Additionally, Forest rarely gives up their lead once they take it.

At the City Ground on Saturday, Chris Wood scored a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest crushed Brighton 7-0 to rekindle their push for the Champions League the following season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team put on an incredible display as they recovered from a 5-0 loss at Bournemouth last weekend, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, and Jota Silva also scoring after Lewis Dunk’s own goal opened the scoring.

Due to English clubs’ impressive start in European tournaments, fifth place in the Premier League this season is nearly guaranteed to be sufficient for Champions League qualification. Forest, who won the European Cup twice in 1979 and 1980 when the team was at its best under Brian Clough, didn’t participate in Europe again until 1996. However, they are well on their way to ending their two-decade wait for continental competition after winning ten of their last twelve games.

Forest was only the second team in Premier League history to win by that margin after losing a match by five goals or more.

“That’s exactly what the fans wanted and what we wanted after last week,” Gibbs-White stated. “There was no way last week.”

 

 

Nottingham Forest crushed Brighton 7-0 at the City Ground on Saturday thanks to a spectacular hat-trick from Chris Wood, rekindling their hopes of winning the Champions League the following season.

Lewis Dunk’s own goal began the scoring in a spectacular display by Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, who recovered strongly from last weekend’s 5-0 loss at Bournemouth. Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, and Jota Silva were also on goal.

The resounding win puts Forest seven points ahead of sixth-place Chelsea and evens the score with second-place Arsenal.

A fifth-place Premier League result is anticipated to be sufficient for Champions League participation, given how well English clubs are playing in Europe this season.

Forest last competed in Europe in 1996. Under Brian Clough, they won the European Cup twice, in 1979 and 1980.

They are, however, well on their way to ending that protracted wait for continental football after an incredible run of ten victories from their last twelve games.

By doing this, Forest became only the second side in Premier League history to win by the same or a larger margin after losing by five goals.

“That’s exactly what the fans wanted and what we wanted after last week,” Gibbs-White stated. We’ve been working hard to make things right because last week wasn’t up to par. Today the boys were amazing.

They were caught on the counter, and all they did was totally neutralized.

In the last three minutes, we were clinical. Fabian Hürzeler, the manager of Brighton, started an attacking side with five attackers, but his audacious strategy backfired as Forest’s speed and accuracy in attack ripped the Seagulls apart.

The tone was established by Dunk’s own goal in the 12th minute.

Nottingham Forest tore a miserable Brighton apart in their biggest league victory since 1991, overcoming the deep disappointment of a crushing defeat at Bournemouth last week.

0 by Bournemouth the previous weekend, but they bounced back with a spectacular victory over a Brighton team that had their own ambitions of qualifying for Europe.

Nearly 34 years have passed since their last league victory by seven goals, a 7-0 victory over Chelsea in April 1991.

For the first occasion in Premier League history, a team lost by five points and then won by seven points in back-to-back games.

This was the first time in the top division since February 1974 (Ipswich Town), which predates the Premier League era. After just twelve minutes, Lewis Dunk converted Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross into his own net, giving them the lead.

Then, Gibbs-White used a strong header from Anthony Elanga’s goal to double Forest’s lead.

Chris Wood nodded in Elanga’s cross to make it 3-0 with just thirty-two minutes remaining in the match.

After just a match against Ipswich in December 1994 (27th minute), it was the second-earliest three goals Forest had ever scored in a Premier League game.

Wood scored his 15th goal of the season with the goal, making 2024–25 his most successful Premier League campaign to date.

He wasn’t finished yet, though. He then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after adding a second from close range, bringing his season total to 17.

With 14 games left for Forest after today, Wood will undoubtedly aim for his first 20-goal Premier League season.