We haven’t achieved anything yet – Nuno remaining grounded despite Forest rise

Nottingham Forest head Nuno Espirito Santo said his squad person not “achieved thing yet” aft they ended Brentford’s unbeaten grounds astatine the Gtech Community Stadium to consolidate their spot successful the Premier League apical four.

Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga scored goals successful either half to nonstop Forest to a 2-0 win, their 3rd triumph successful a statement successful the convention arsenic they continued their singular translator from relegation candidates past play to European contenders.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels produced a stunning prevention successful the 2nd half to contradict Kristoffer Ajer though it was not without a touch of fortune, deflecting the shot distant pinch his look from point-blank range.

“We started well, realising Brentford are very beardown astatine home,” said Nuno. “The squad was mature capable to understand that and beryllium unchangeable and compact, past trying to person power of the game. Overall a very bully performance.

“I deliberation there’s a batch of room for improvement. Our connection is not astir the table, it’s astir improving the team, uncovering solutions. We didn’t execute thing yet, it’s a still a very agelong measurement to go, starting against Tottenham (on Boxing Day). It’s going to beryllium very hard.”

This was a seventh convention triumph successful 10 for Forest and it is increasing difficult to disregard the situation they airs to the much established clubs looking to decorativeness successful the apical four.

In the first half they were fortunate to debar falling down done their ain protect lapses, first erstwhile Mikkel Damsgaard was near free wrong the container to sprout from Yoane Wissa’s cutback, past erstwhile defenders Murillo and Morato conspired successful comical defending to coming Wissa pinch a volley which he steered complete the bar.

Thereafter Forest steadied themselves and either broadside of half-time produced the game’s 2 decisive moments.

Neco Williams was picked retired wide connected the near by Callum Hudson-Odoi, and aft his transverse had been narrowly missed by Chris Wood arriving successful the box, onto the segment sprang Aina to meet it first clip and expanse Forest ahead.

Keane-Lewis Potter, opinionated successful astatine left-back successful Thomas Frank’s injury-ridden defence, miscontrolled severely from a Forest shot complete the top, presenting the shot to Elanga who trim infield and bent the shot past Mark Flekken to seal it.

It ended Brentford’s awesome tally of 7 wins from 8 astatine location arsenic they became the first squad to time off westbound London pinch a cleanable sheet.

It added to victories achieved astatine Old Trafford and astatine Anfield whilst they besides took a constituent distant from Stamford Bridge.

“It says a batch astir the measurement we are working,” said Nuno. “From the opening we realised location were truthful galore things to amended and still are, but very proud of the players. We push them each time and request very much. We want to compete well, we want to make things right.”

Brentford leader Frank reflected connected a crippled he felt his broadside are unfortunate to lose.

“It’s a consequence business, it’s decidedly much nosy to win,” he said. “Our capacity was good, I deliberation we dominated ample spells and were connected apical against the clip that are 3rd successful the table. We lacked cutting separator offensively but created vulnerable situations.

“What we gave distant successful this crippled was very little, successful that consciousness we were very bully defensively. Nottingham defended very well.”