Nottingham Forest made it six consecutive Premier League wins with a 3-0 win over Wolves at Molineux.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s deflected strike against his former club silenced the home crowd early on, and although Jørgen Strand Larsen had a trio of good chances to equalize for Vitor Pereira’s side, it was the clinical Chris Wood who doubled the lead before the break.
Taiwo Awoni’s goal made it 3 to seal a sixth straight Premier League win to draw Nuno Espirito Santo’s side level with Arsenal and leave their jubilant fans dreaming of next season’s Champions League.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Morgan Gibbs-White is chasing his former club after giving Forest the lead at Molineux
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Chris Wood doubles Nottingham Forest’s lead
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Taiwo Awoniyi adds a third late on
Wolves would be content to retain their Premier League status.The defeat, Pereira’s first since taking charge despite being depleted of key players such as the suspended Matheus Cunha, leaves them above the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
The red car in the forest is spinning
Matz Sels was excellent for Forest, making a couple of special saves to keep a clean sheet, so it tells you that Nuno’s men weren’t going to take it in. But it was no surprise that they kept control of this game after Gibbs-White’s goal.
The England international, in front of the watching England manager Thomas Tuchel, gave Forest the lead and they never relinquished it. That’s what this team is doing now. Confident and mature, they are suitable for football and without it.
Wood didn’t have the chances that Strand Larsen enjoyed, but he didn’t have them.Forest fans chanted that they were coming for Liverpool at the end of the game. Why not?The win moves them six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Nuno avoids talking about the title race
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo’s exchange at the press conference.
Question: Next up is Liverpool, you’re in the title race.
“We’re playing Luton in the FA Cup at the City Ground, which is a huge opportunity for us. I’m sorry not to answer your direct question, but that’s the reality.
“We have to prepare well. The FA Cup is important, it’s a good opportunity for us to give everyone minutes because it’s going to be a very, very long season.
“We need all the players with minutes, fitness, rhythm. So Luton first.”
Question: The rest of the country is looking at the standings right now.When do you think you can?
“I don’t know, maybe at the end of the season. I’ll probably look.”
Q: At the end of the season?
A: “Yes, yes.”
Question: “Not when you’re in the Champions League, not with four games to go.
A: “No, at the end of the season, I’ll look at it, you guys.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo says his side have not achieved anything yet
Weak wolves are a good short
Wolves have been better under Pereira, but the scale of the task ahead for the Portuguese is still a bit clear after this display, with the lack of depth in the squad evident.With three of their four senior centre-backs out injured, Wolves were quite short at the back.
They were also without captain Nelson Semedo and star midfielder Andre for this one, and of course their standout performer this season in Cunha.With so many key players missing, it was perhaps a spirited effort from Wolves.
Cunha is expected to return for the next Premier League game against Newcastle, but Pereira will need more than that, with defenders including Emmanuel Agbadu expected to make the difference.
