Brentford 1-1 Nottingham Forest (EFL Championship) 20.03.21

Nottingham Forest took a hard-earned point away from West London today as Chris Hughton’s men came from behind against promotion pushing Brentford to snatch a share of the spoils on an afternoon where the Reds defended well enough to deserve something from the game.

A contentious penalty awarded on 12 minutes after Bong held Ivan Toney from a corner was dispatched by the Bees top scorer who calmly slotted home past Samba and it was the home side that did most of the attacking in a first half where Thomas Frank’s men were good value for their lead. The best chance cleared off the line by Grabban when Jansson prodded goalwards up from a corner.

Brentford could have made it 2-0 early in the second half which may have put the game beyond doubt, when after a neat slick passing move, Toney pulled back for Mbuemo who fired towards an empty net from six yards only for Gaetan Bong to deflect his effort over the crossbar. That chance missed was soon rued for the home side as Forest levelled on 63 when Cafu robbed Jansson in midfield before playing in Mighten who pulled back to Bong and his cross from the left deflected into the path of Krovinovic who fired home low into the bottom left corner for his first Forest goal.

As Brentford looked to re-affirm their stolen advantage, substitute Ghoddos was sent through on 72 minutes but Cyrus Christie got across his man to cover which ended a dangerous looking attack, the same player then went down inside the box under a challenge from McKenna with the Referee this time keeping his whistle in his pocket.

Chances at both ends came in the last ten minutes as Brentford fired wide through Ghoddas again before Cyrus Christie struck a volley from long range deflected inches wrong side of the posts.

A big chance came on 88 minutes for Brentford to win it when McKenna slipped and looked to have handballed inside the area before Fosu drove low and hard blocked by a desperate defender as it looked destined for the corner of the net. Ivan Toney could even have won it at the death when his ambitious attempt in injury time was deflected inches wide, testament that all Brentford’s best goal bound efforts were halted by Reds defenders who put their body on the line for a point in the end, the first against any of the top eight away from home this season.

Brentford: Raya, Dalsgaard, Jansson, Reid, Bech Sorensen, Jensen (Marcondes 86), Norgaard, Janelt (Ghoddos 71), Mbeumo (Fosu 77), Toney, Canos (Forss 86).

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Christie, Figueiredo, McKenna, Bong (Ribeiro 66), Cafu, Garner, Ameobi, Krovinovic, Mighten, Grabban (Murray 81).

Venue: Brentford Community Stadium

*Main image @NFFC Manchester United loanee James Garner was superb for Forest.