Nottingham Forest made a powerful statement on the opening weekend of the Premier League as Chris Wood struck twice to inspire a 3-1 victory over Brentford at the City Ground. The result not only delighted Forest fans but also handed new Bees manager Keith Andrews a nightmare start to life in charge.
The match exploded into action in just the fifth minute when Wood, who scored 20 goals last season, pounced inside the box to put Forest ahead after a corner caused chaos in the Brentford defense. The hosts dominated possession and created chance after chance, leaving the visitors chasing shadows.
Forest doubled their advantage three minutes before halftime through Swiss international Dan Ndoye, the club’s £36 million signing from Bologna. Ndoye marked his debut in style, rising highest to nod home a sensational chipped assist from captain Morgan Gibbs-White.
Things went from bad to worse for Brentford in first-half stoppage time when Elliot Anderson punished a defensive blunder from Sepp van den Berg. The midfielder threaded a precise through-ball to Wood, who rounded goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher to slot home his second goal of the night, sending the home crowd into raptures.
The Bees showed little fight for most of the match but finally got a consolation in the 78th minute. A handball by Ibrahim Sangare gifted Brentford a penalty, and Brazilian striker Igor Thiago confidently converted to register his first goal since joining from Club Brugge last summer.
For Nottingham Forest, the emphatic victory was their first win in a league season opener since 2017, underlining their determination to build on last season’s near Champions League qualification, where they finished just a point shy of the top four.
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Beyond the pitch, it has been a defining summer for Forest. They clinched a Europa League spot following Crystal Palace’s breach of multi-club ownership rules, while also strengthening their squad with key signings. Fans were introduced to new recruits Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town and Manchester City midfielder James McAtee before kick-off, though neither was eligible to feature. Ndoye was the only fresh face in the starting XI, and he delivered instantly with a goal.
Arguably the biggest success of Forest’s transfer window was securing Gibbs-White’s future. Amid strong interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, the England midfielder signed a new three-year contract. Wearing the captain’s armband against Brentford, he dictated play brilliantly and was at the heart of everything Forest created. He nearly added his own name to the scoresheet with a spectacular overhead attempt that had fans on their feet.
For Forest supporters, this commanding win was more than just three points, it was a statement of intent. After a lackluster pre-season where goals were scarce, Steve Cooper’s men showed that their attacking power is alive and ready for the challenges ahead in both the Premier League and Europe.
Nottingham Forest have arrived, and with Wood, Gibbs-White, and Ndoye in red-hot form, the City Ground faithful may dare to dream of another unforgettable season.
