Nottingham Forest’s Champions League hopes took a major blow as Brentford consigned them to a 2-0 loss at the City Ground – to boost their own European aspirations.
A beautiful sunny day in Nottingham turned into stormy rain and it summed up Forest’s current situation. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side came into the game looking to go third. Now their Champions League qualification chances are weakening with four games to go.
A fiery first half – which saw Keane Lewis-Potter controversially avoid a second booking for blocking off Ola Aina when already cautioned – ended with Kevin Schade giving Brentford the lead in simple fashion.
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Kevin Schade fires Brentford in front at Nottingham Forest in their Premier League clash
A long ball from Nathan Collins saw Aina misstep and that allowed Schade to chest the ball down and poke past Matz Sels.
It brought a frustrating half to an end for Forest, who had their first shot on target of the game after 40 minutes. It could have been worse had Sels not saved brilliantly from close range from Sepp van den Berg, before Schade’s opener.
Forest improved after the break with Anthony Elanga drawing a good save from Mark Flekken, before the abnormally quiet Chris Wood headed the hosts’ best chance wide from seven yards out. But Forest would concede again – in very similar circumstances to the first goal.
Flekken’s long ball was left by Nikola Milenkovic and that allowed Yoane Wissa through on goal. The player Forest tried to sign in January – only for Brentford to knock back the £22m offer – clipped the ball over Sels to silence the City Ground.
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Yoane Wissa scores ‘magnificent’ chip to double Brentford’s lead against Nottingham Forest
It was a sixth Premier League away win of 2025 for Brentford – that and their 19 points on the road this calendar year are the most out of any team. And the Bees are now two points behind eighth spot, which could carry Europa Conference League qualification for next season.
But Forest – who have now lost four in five games, including the FA Cup semi-final – are now up against it in their bid for a seat at Europe’s top table. They are sixth with four games left.
“It was a bad night, a bad game,” said Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo to Sky Sports. “I’m not worried about the table, I’m more concerned with the mistakes we are making and how to correct them.”
Analysis: Forest, Brentford set for grandstand finishes
This is the stunning case of two teams that have gone in very different directions.
At the start of the season, Brentford couldn’t win an away game to save their life. They lost seven out of their first eight trips on the road, claiming just one point.
They’ve now won six away games out of eight in 2025, their 19 points are there more than any other Premier League team on the road. They are climbing up the table and have Europe in their sights.
Forest, meanwhile, hadn’t lost in their last ten games at the City Ground. They have now lost back-to-back home matches to make it four defeats in five. They are slipping down the table.
And the objectives for both sides are polar opposite. Brentford are aiming for the Europa Conference League, Forest are trying to avoid it. But they are united in having one common theme: favourable fixtures.
Both teams face three sides ranked 12th or below in their final four matches. But there are big games coming up. Forest host Chelsea on the final day in what could decide Champions League football. Brentford play Fulham in a west London derby that could decide eighth.
Forest and Brentford are set for grandstand finishes.
Nuno: We have to compete better, it’s basic
Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo to Sky Sports:
“Credit to Brentford, but I think they are situations we should solve [for the two goals]. Normally, we have better defending. We are disappointed but it’s about reacting and preparing for the next one.
“I don’t think that result was about the semi-final. It was high demanding on the fitness aspect, but the way we conceded [tonight], it’s nothing to do with fitness. It’s about better position and better approach.
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Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo expresses his disappointment after his side was beaten 2-0 at home by Brentford as the club’s Champions League hope take a knock.
“We didn’t create too much. Brentford defended really well, congested the box. We had a couple of chances but only half chances.
“It’s basic. We have to compete much better to achieve what we want. The way we are competing, especially in this game, is not how we are. This is the main issue to resolve for Monday.
“There are still four games to go, a lot of football to be played. We have to focus on ourselves and be better at approaching situations and playing better football. There are many things we want to correct.”
Frank: That was only a seven out of 10
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Brentford head coach Thomas Frank analyses his side’s 2-0 win away to Nottingham Forest and talks of potential European football for the club next season but insists luck has to go their for that to happen.
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank to Sky Sports:
“I think it’s very good to come here and win against a very good team in the position they are in. I only think it was a seven out of 10 performance.
“Defensively we were very strong, gave little away and were very robust in many phases of the game. But we gave the ball away too much, especially in the second half.
“But to go here and get a well-deserved win, a good clean sheet and give little away against Nottingham is very good.”
On if his team can get Europe: “There are a few things that need to happen. Three teams ahead of us need to get less than us. That’s not the best start. And we also probably need Manchester City to win the FA Cup.
“There are a few things we can’t control, but what I would say: I knew before the Brighton game, we talked about that openly. We needed to win that to first and foremost finish the highest we ever had, which is eighth.
“The last 12 games we have been extremely consistent and well-performing. There’s another big game on Sunday, which we need to do our best to win. We need a perfect run-in. We can win all of them, but lose all of them.
“Ask me in three games, then we can answer the question. We are growing as a club, the team is growing. We are a bit more competitive, we don’t have as many injuries as last year. But there are a lot of players in the club growing. This season we had one bad game, last season we had three or four.”