Morgan Gibbs-White had every right to taunt his old fans as Nottingham Forest snatched an early lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux this evening. The Forest playmaker came through the academy system at Wolves before loans at Swansea City and then Sheffield United eventually led to a £25m move to the City Ground in August of 2022.
Wolves fans were quick to boo the Stafford-born Gibbs-White on his return to Molineux, but the 24-year-old had the perfect riposte—opening the scoring for the visitors with a brilliant counterattacking goal after no more than six minutes of the game. Facing his old fans, fingers mockingly placed in his ears, match summariser Don Goodman told Sky viewers, "He's got every right to celebrate like this, he really has."
Goodman noted, "You kind of had a feeling he was going to have an impact, but so quickly? No, but again it's Forest." The analysis highlighted Forest's capability to turn defence swiftly to attack, emphasizing the quick thinking of the players involved.
Goodman continued, "They turn defence to attack in the blink of an eye with one forward pass. They win the ball back and a pass from Anderson finds the space where Gibbs is and they've got a 4 v 3. It's really clever the way he just checks his run, hangs out for the cutback from Ilanga and then hits his spot. But this is Nottingham Forest in absolute nutshell, as good as anybody at turning defence to attack and punishing you."
He concluded, "Wolves probably knew it was coming, but they could do nothing about it. Morgan Gibbs-White will not care."
The atmosphere at Molineux during the match was palpable, with Wolves fans agitated by Gibbs-White’s cheeky celebration. Making the return of their former star even more bitter, Gibbs-White’s goal has served as extra fodder for West Bromwich Albion fans, who enjoy seeing their rivals, Wolves, struggle. This rivalry runs deep, especially considering recent encounters and the stakes involved as both teams vie for distinct objectives this season.
Wolves are embroiled in a relegation battle, sitting precariously above the drop zone, as they continue to face challenges on the pitch. Gary O'Neil's sacking earlier this season highlighted the club's struggles to recapture form following significant setbacks. The pressure mounts for them, especially when they are not just competing but are also onlookers to the celebratory antics of Gibbs-White and his colleagues at Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, as Forest aims to secure their place among the Premier League elites, Gibbs-White is quickly establishing himself as one of the key figures within the squad. His ability to impact matches positively not only showcases his individual talent but also reflects the culture of resilience and quick adaptation set forth by Nottingham Forest's management and coaching staff.
For Wolves, the clash served as yet another reminder of the task at hand: to stabilize the team and fortify their position within the league. The match and the repercussions echo sentiments felt deeply among fans, not just for this game but for the overall course of the season.
Will Morgan Gibbs-White continue to shine as Nottingham Forest pushes forward this season? Only time will tell, but for now, his impact at Molineux speaks volumes, both to his former club and his present one.