Nottingham Forest kept their hopes alive for a top-four finish with an impressive 4-2 victory against Ipswich Town on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Portman Road. The win solidifies Forest's position as they remain third with 54 points, just one behind second-placed Arsenal, who are scheduled to face Chelsea on Sunday.
The match saw Forest dominate the first half, scoring three goals within seven minutes. Nikola Milenkovic opened the scoring with a volley from close range in the 35th minute, taking advantage of some lapse defending from Ipswich. Just two minutes later, Anthony Elanga made it 2-0 with a powerful strike past Ipswich keeper Alex Palmer, showcasing his finishing skill. Elanga doubled his tally shortly before halftime, securing his brace and sending Forest to the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Though Ipswich fought back, with Jens Cajuste pulling one back for the home side in the 82nd minute, it was not enough to rally the team. Jota Silva responded swiftly, adding Forest's fourth goal just five minutes later. George Hirst scored late for Ipswich, netting during stoppage time, but it merely provided consolation as they remain dangerously near the relegation zone, sitting 18th and nine points adrift from safety.
Meanwhile, Everton staged their own late comeback to draw 1-1 against West Ham United at Goodison Park. West Ham took the lead with Tomas Soucek's curling shot from outside the box after 67 minutes. The match seemed to be slipping away from Everton until Jake O’Brien headed home the equalizer during stoppage time, extending their unbeaten run to nine matches. The draw left both teams level on 34 points, maintaining distance from relegation but lacking any European qualification prospects.
Over at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City faced Brighton, and the match ended 2-2 after both sides showcased their attacking prowess. City initially took the lead through Erling Haaland’s penalty just 11 minutes after kickoff. Brighton responded with Pervis Estupiñán equalizing shortly after, and Omar Marmoush put City back in front just before halftime. Brighton leveled things again when Jack Hinshelwood scored from close range after his shot deflected off City defender Abdukodir Khusanov. Despite efforts from both sides, the match concluded without a winner and both teams earning valuable points.
Nottingham Forest's victory gives them momentum as they head toward their FA Cup quarterfinal match against Brighton later this month, followed by key matches against Manchester United and Aston Villa. On the other hand, Ipswich's path appears dire as they prepare for must-win fixtures against Bournemouth and Wolves to avoid slipping closer to relegation.
Looking forward, Forest's Milenkovic continues to impress, having become known as one of the best signings of the season after transferring from Fiorentina for $15 million. He not only contributed significantly to the scoreline but was also pivotal defensively, winning numerous duels and clearances throughout the match. This type of performance could see him central to Forest's ambitions not just for league success but also for the FA Cup.
After today’s matches, the Premier League picture is becoming clearer, with clubs battling both to reach Europe and avoid relegation. The impending international break provides teams with time to recuperate and regroup as they enter the final stretch of the season.