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)
Get the latest Nottinghamshire Live breaking news on WhatsApp
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
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.
Don’t miss
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.”
Leave a Reply