Nottinghamshire

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

After the politics comes the football. It has been a fascinating summer off the pitch for Forest, whose place in the Europa League was confirmed due to Crystal Palace being punished for breaching multi-club ownership rules.

There has also been intrigue in the transfer market, with Forest taking their time to add names for their European adventure.

The signings of Ipswich Town winger Omari Hutchinson and Manchester City midfielder James McAtee were confirmed on Saturday night - but too late to be involved against Brentford as they were introduced to fans on the pitch before the match.

So winger Dan Ndoye, signed from Bologna for £36m as a direct replacement for the departed Anthony Elanga, was Forest's only new signing to start.

While he enjoyed a debut goal, perhaps the club's best bit of summer business was tying Morgan Gibbs-White down to a new three-year contract after interest from Tottenham and Manchester City.

He captained Forest on Sunday and showed why the club were so keen to keep him as the England midfielder ran the show.

Gibbs-White, along with Elliot Anderson, controlled the midfield and sprung attack after attack with Brentford never allowed to settle.

It was little surprise to see the ex-Wolves man produce the best moment of individual quality in the 41st minute too - an expertly lofted and curling ball that Ndoye rose high to meet and head past Caoimhin Kelleher.

Gibbs-White also went close to a goal himself with a spectacular overhead effort.

Crucially for Forest, this game showed they possess an attacking threat - something they lacked in pre-season, with just one goal across their seven friendlies.

After pushing for a Champions League place last season before finishing a point short in seventh place, Forest have again shown their quality and intent.

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Nottingham Forest beat Brentford 3-1 in their opening Premier League fixture and manager Nuno Espirito Santo is 'delighted' with his side's performance.

"Very pleased with how we started the game and the football we played," the Portuguese told BBC Match of the Day.

"We were solid in our defending. It was a very good first half. The combinations were really good, beautiful goals. Pre-season was not very good but Chris [Wood] delivers when it really matters so we are delighted."

On Dan Ndoye's debut goal: "It gives confidence for him and that's good for him and the team of course.

On Morgan Gibbs-White's new contract: "It was very important for us. He is a key player and he has much more to show."

On the transfer window: "We address the situation during the week and we won't change because we won the game today. This is why we are insisting on a good balanced squad that gives us options and solutions. We are delighted that we can face this challenge."

• Hear more from Nuno speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham

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• Chris Wood has scored 30 non-penalty goals in the Premier League under Nuno Espírito Santo for Nottingham Forest, which is the joint-most of any player in the competition, along with Erling Haaland, since the Portuguese boss' first game in charge of the club (23 Dec, 2023).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

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Dan Ndoye, Nottingham Forest's new £36 million winger signed from Bologna this summer, starts for Nuno's side at City Ground today.

New Brazilian arrivals Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha are on the bench, while Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee - announced by the club as new signings yesterday night - are not involved.

Morgan Gibbs-White, who signed a new three-year deal after being heavily linked with a move, captains Forest.

Forest XI: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Ndoye, Sangare, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi; Gibbs-White, Wood

Subs: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Igor Jesus, Jota Silva, Yates, Jair, Boly, Abbott

Yoann Wissa, linked with a move to Newcastle this month, is not in Brentford's matchday squad at all.

New signings Caoimhin Keller, Michael Kayode and Antoni Milambo all start for the Bees, while Jordan Henderson is on the bench.

This is Keith Andrew's first match as manager, 12 years after his last Premier League appearance as a player for West Brom against Arsenal.

Brentford XI: Kelleher; Kayode, van den Berg, Collins, Henry; Lewis-Potter, Jensen, Yarmoluik, Carvalho; Milambo; Thiago

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Henderson, Schade, Onyeka, Ajer, Peart-Harris, Roerslev, Arthur

Three matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Chelsea v Crystal Palace - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Brentford - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Manchester United v Arsenal (16:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction from the 14:00 games here

And get Man Utd v Arsenal here

People are writing both of these teams off for different reasons and saying they won't be as good as last season.

As well as seeing their manager go to Spurs, Brentford have lost Bryan Mbeumo - and Yoane Wissa seems to want out too - so the worry with them is who will get their goals?

I still think the Bees have enough battle-hardened Premier League players to compete, but maybe Kevin Schade needs a bit of help up top.

It is also going to be difficult for Nottingham Forest to go again and be as good as they were last year. They have sold Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood turns 34 years old in December, but at least they kept hold of Morgan Gibbs-White.

I think this will be a very tight and quite scruffy game but as long as Forest win it, they won't care.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Callum Hudson-Odoi is close to agreeing terms on a new contract at Nottingham Forest.

The 24-year-old is now expected to remain at Forest, despite some uncertainty over his future with just one year left on his current deal.

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo said it was a "priority" to maintain "the core of his squad" before the Premier League restarted this week.

The renewal is being negotiated in a busy period for Forest, during which they have signed winger Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich and agreed a fee with Manchester City for midfielder James McAtee.

They are also advancing a move for striker Arnaud Kalimuendo and are interested in midfielder Douglas Luiz.

Hudson-Odoi moved to the City Ground from Chelsea for £3m in 2023 and has since scored 13 goals and delivered six assists in 70 matches.