Brentford 0-1 Nottingham Forest (EFL Championship) 28.01.20

A fourteenth minute deflected strike by Joe Lolley was enough to give Forest a major victory in their promotion push as they saw off fellow playoff chasers Brentford at Griffin Park last night.

Not only does it consolidate the reds playoff position, taking Forest five points clear of seventh placed Preston but Sabri Lamouchi’s men now sit third in the Championship table just two points behind second place West Brom who lost at Cardiff yesterday whilst clinging desperately on to their seat in the automatic places in a glut of recent poor form.

The Reds took the lead at a packed Griffin Park after Tiago Silva’s half cleared corner was headed only to Joe Lolley on the edge of the area. After taking a touch Lolley struck towards goal a shot which took a huge nick off an onrushing defender before looping off the ground into the top corner for a fortuitous first for Forest.

As Forest attacked the home side broke and went close when the dangerous Watkins sidestepped Figueiredo only to drag his left footed shot wide in a first half that saw plenty of possession for Brentford but not so many chances.

In the second half another set play for Forest caused danger in the bees box as Ribeiro headed back a partially cleared corner but Grabban could only fire straight into the thankful arms of Spanish goalkeeper David Raya.

Grabban might of had a penalty as he chased down a long pass to be brought down inside the box but Referee Robinson was having none of it.

Brentford’s best opportunity in the second half came from left back Henry who shot straight at Samba.

No late drama this time. Forest defending dogged and deserving the maximum three points with a bit more tactical quality than just a smash and grab away performance which ended with the perfect result for the reds.

Coach Sabri Lamouch said after the game “It’s a massive result in a difficult stadium against one of the toughest teams in the league. The players worked so hard, they stuck to the gameplan and I think we deserved this result. We defended so well against a really good side and it was a massive performance.”

Brentford: Raya, Dalsgaard, Jeanvier, Pinnock, Henry, Jensen (Marcondes 74), Norgaard, Dasilva, Mbuemo, Watkins, Benrahma.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Cash, Figueiredo, Worrall, Ribeiro, Watson, Sow, Silva, Ameobi (Adomah 90), Lolley (Diakhaby 76), Grabban (Yates 90).

Venue: Griffin Park (12,274)

*Main image @NFFC Lolley strikes the winner all be it via a massive deflection.