Nottingham Forest secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium on January 8, 2025, moving within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool. The win marks Forest’s sixth consecutive league triumph, as they climbed to third place, level on points with Arsenal but trailing on goal difference.
The game was significant, taking place on the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough's appointment at Forest, and it began with fireworks as Morgan Gibbs-White found the net just seven minutes after kickoff. The former Wolves midfielder, who faced jeers from the home fans, combined beautifully with Anthony Elanga on the counterattack before calmly placing the ball low past Wolves goalkeeper Sa.
Wolves, under new coach Vitor Pereira, pressed for an equalizer but missed several chances. Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen particularly rued his missed opportunities, failing to convert golden chances, including one blocked on the line by Forest's Murillo. Just two minutes before halftime, Chris Wood, who had been instrumental all season, scored his 12th goal of the campaign. Wood received a perfectly timed cut-back from Callum Hudson-Odoi and slotted the ball home, doubling Forest's lead.
The second half saw Forest dominate possession, showcasing their clinical defense and counter-attacking ability. Taiwo Awoniyi, who replaced Wood late in the match, rounded off the scoring with another well-placed finish deep in injury time, sealing the win at 3-0.
Post-match, Wood emphasized the importance of consistency, stating, "It is about consistency and doing what we have been doing extremely well already this season. We need to keep going." The squad's resilience is set against the backdrop of their impressive run, with hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League growing stronger.
Meanwhile, Wolves’ performance left much to be desired, and defender Matt Doherty candidly remarked, "Teams are ruthless. You can't make mistakes, and we made a couple of them and we got punished." This defeat marked Pereira's first loss as Wolves' manager, leaving them precariously above the relegation zone.
The match attracted attention not just for the thrilling football but also for the presence of new England manager Thomas Tuchel, who likely noted Gibbs-White's performance as one to watch for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Nottingham Forest's impressive display places them firmly on the radar for potential title challengers. With 40 points after 20 games, they are reminiscent of Leicester City, who, at the same juncture during their 2015/16 championship-winning season, also had accumulated 40 points.
Looking forward, Forest's next challenge looms as they host Liverpool on January 14. That match could prove pivotal—not just for their ambitions but also for deciding the dynamics of the Premier League title race this season.
Forest’s remarkable rise from relegation battlers last season to genuine European contenders highlights the transformative impact of manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who previously lifted Wolves from the Championship to Europe during his tenure from 2017 to 2021.
With every win boosting their confidence and belief, both players and fans alike are daring to dream of European nights once again, marking what could be the start of another exciting chapter for Nottingham Forest.