Nottingham Forest 1-3 Brentford: Ivan Toney scores again as Bees win to go sixth
- Published
Ivan Toney has now scored 15 goals in 18 Championship appearances this season
Ivan Toney scored his 15th goal of the season as Brentford moved up to sixth in the Championship with a clinical victory over a Nottingham Forest side who have picked up just one point from a seven-match winless run.
The Bees dominated the first half and could easily have been further ahead against a dismal home side who only threatened through Sammy Ameobi's fierce strike just before the break.
Anthony Knockaert's introduction sparked a vastly improved second period, the winger teeing up several chances, having a delightful 20-yard shot ruled out for offside and also testing Bees keeper David Raya with another well-struck effort.
But the visitors, who are now unbeaten in 11 games, survived the pressure and a late double ensured an emphatic scoreline more in keeping with the way the game played out.
Josh Dasilva curled in a sumptuous second after a swift counter-attack and Ivan Toney's brilliantly controlled half-volley from a long punt over the top made it 3-0.
Knockaert set up an injury-time header for Joe Worrall to get Forest on the scoresheet, but his impressive afternoon still had time for more drama as the Frenchman was sent off for a second yellow card for diving.
The defeat leaves Forest only a place above the relegation zone thanks to a better goal difference than fierce rivals Derby County.
The late drama finally rewarded Brentford's superior quality, having failed to make the most of their first-half dominance at the City Ground.
An early five-on-two break should have resulted in Toney grabbing the first goal but he shot into the side-netting.
Forest did not to heed the warning, Dalsgaard making the most of some clever blocking by his team-mates to dart to the near post and loop a header beyond Brice Samba from Mathias Jensen's corner from the left.
The away dominance continued, Bryan Mbeumo having a shot well saved by Samba and Toney almost scoring with an acrobatic overhead kick.
Mixed afternoon for Knockaert
Ameobi's strike finally brought a home threat and saw Raya forced into action and Knockaert's obvious quality brought hope, much-needed class and an increased urgency on the resumption.
But despite several Knockaert-inspired close calls, Forest could not find a leveller and Dasilva's fine strike from a Sergi Canos pass as good as sealed the win.
Toney made absolutely sure, with Worrall's first goal of the season bringing little cheer for Chris Hughton's side, who have won only two of their past 12 home league games.
The only minor blemish for Brentford was not being able to see out a clean sheet, which would have been the first time they have kept five successive away clean sheets in their history.
Chris Hughton has won just three and lost seven of his 14 games as Forest manager
Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton:
"It's probably the most disappointed I've been during this run of games. I wanted us to start the game better than what we did but we were up against a very well drilled team.
"We can't afford to give these teams a leg-up and we've conceded three really poor goals and not taken our own chances.
"These aren't structural or formational problems, these are individual mistakes that are costing us because at the moment we don't have the ability at the other end to capitalise on the good positions that we're getting ourselves into.
"It has been a tough run for us and this run has given us a clear indication of where we are compared to the top teams in the division. Our level of performance hasn't been too far away from theirs but their resilience at one end and quality at the other has been much better than us."
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank told BBC Radio London:
"I know Nottingham have not had the best season so far, but to come here and win 3-1 is a very strong performance.
"I am sure they will turn this around. They have a good team, good players and a top manager so it is a matter of time before they get a win.
"We are 11 unbeaten but can't rest on our laurels. We need to continue and be ready for Tuesday against Watford."