Nottingham Forest finished their rollercoaster week on the up, with three away points against Brentford restoring their five-point buffer from the relegation zone.
Mouthwatering goals from Forest’s maligned strikers, first Igor Jesus with a blaster then a solo effort from Taiwo Awoniyi, put memories of fan displeasure after defeat in the Europa League behind Sean Dyche and his team and confirmed four league points in eight days after their Arsenal draw. Awoniyi’s goal in particular was a welcome milestone, his first since being placed in an induced coma after he collided with a post at the end of last season.
Things could perhaps had been different had the ball rolled obligingly for Brentford’s Igor Thiago in the second minute of the match. After Kevin Schade had bested Ola Aina down the left, the Brazilian made connection with a low cross, but his stretched finish bobbled inches beyond the far post. It was a moment that looked to augur well for the hosts but, 10 minutes later, Aina was away down the other end and the visitors took the lead.
Forest’s right-back had gone up against Rico Henry a couple of times before his low cross bounced up off the Bees defender in the 12th minute. Looping high into the air, the ball was watched by Igor Jesus, who controlled it off his shoulder, left Kristoffer Ajer in a heap, and buried a dagger of a shot back across goal, past Caoimhín Kelleher’s trailing hand into the net.
