Nottingham Forest

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

This had all the hallmarks of the final game of the season, but Nottingham Forest’s campaign ends with victory after Chris Wood’s double sealed their top-flight safety as they beat Burnley.

Wood’s early double, putting them ahead by two goals after just 14 minutes, helped set up a comfortable win for Forest.

It was Burnley who held the lion’s share of the possession, but Forest’s efforts in the final third were more promising.

Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White troubled Burnley on the counter-attack and the hosts found it difficult to deal with Forest on the break.

Wood, who ends the Premier League season having scored 14 goals, was unable to achieve a hat-trick but Forest continued to test the hosts.

Josh Cullen’s shot taking an unfortunate deflection off Murillo meant Forest missed out on the opportunity to achieve a clean sheet, but that will not weigh heavily on Nuno’s mind.

Despite having to deal with being deducted four points, they’ve ensured they will play Premier League football for another year.

Chris Wood's double against his former club sealed Premier League safety for Nottingham Forest as they comfortably beat relegated Burnley.

What did you make of the game?

Burnley fans, let us know your thoughts, external

Forest fans - happy with your final performance of the season?, external

The 2023-24 Premier League season might be drawing to a close, but BBC Sport's dedicated coverage of Nottingham Forest will be sticking around for the summer.

From transfer gossip to club news to fan views - we have got you covered.

So make sure you don't miss anything by following your club and signing up to notifications straight to your devices.

After that, all you need to do is keep returning to your club's page throughout the summer - simple!

All 20 teams are in action on the final day of the 2023-24 Premier League season, with the title winners, European spots and one relegation place still to be confirmed.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest and what lies ahead, with safety almost certainly assured before Sunday's final Premier League game of the season.

Here are some of your replies:

Tom: While safety is all but secured, it has been a very frustrating season for Forest fans. Performances have improved under Nuno Espirito Santo, but defensively we are still well below par and a clearout is needed in the summer. Outgoings will precede incomings, and while I hope we can hold onto Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo, if massive offers come in, we can't really refuse.

Tim: Last August I was optimistic for lower mid-table, so to finish 17th has been a bit of a disappointment. Still feel that Steve Cooper would also have kept us safe. Fully behind Nuno for next year - he needs time. Happy to finally sign a good goalkeeper in Matz Sels. If we have to lose either Murillo or Gibbs-White this summer, then we need to keep Morgan.

Kris: Next season will likely begin without Murillo or talisman Gibbs-White, so our recruitment needs to improve. No more scattergun approach and instead it's quality over quantity. We need to review our coaching and medical set-up after a season disrupted by too many injuries too. Give Nuno the benefit of a pre-season and transfer window - he's earned that much.

Andrew: Fear we'll need to sell one of our top players over the summer (along with getting rid of the deadwood) to be able to strengthen. If we don't, we're going to really struggle next season. The brutal truth is that we've been let off the hook by three poor teams. Nuno hasn't been a vast improvement so far, but we need to give him at least a full season.

Neil: I have never looked forward to the end of season more than now. It's been a horrible experience for Forest fans. Having said that, I don't think now is a good time to change the manager. It's time to put our trust in him and let him build the mid-table team we all want and expect. Better recruitment needed, for sure.

Lisa: Just happy it is all over in a few days. This season has been one to forget for many reasons on and off the pitch. We really need to focus on what we can do on the pitch next season and have far less drama off it. The only shining light has been Hudson-Odoi and Murillo, who have really stepped up. Roll on a quieter season in 2024-25.

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend’s final games of the season, he takes on Gladiators star Legend.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

This was supposed to be the big relegation decider but, with Burnley down and Nottingham Forest's goal difference meaning they are as good as safe, there is nothing really riding on it now.

I feel for Burnley in many ways, because I actually think they are a well-run football club. They have got a bright young manager in Vincent Kompany and, if they can keep their squad together, they will be back in the Premier League soon.

Regardless of the points deduction, this will go down as a disappointing season for Forest, even though they have stayed up.

It is not as if they have kicked on since Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Steve Cooper as manager in December, is it?

Legend's prediction: 2-1

Firstly, it is at Burnley which is a big thing and they have just gone down so they will want to sign off on a high.

Also, Forest know they are staying up now and there is no way that won't affect them here. No matter what they say, their motivation for this game is not going to be there.

Read all of Sutton’s predictions for the final day of the season here

Image source, Getty Images

If you haven't done so already, you have until 10:00 BST on Wednesday, 22 May to cast your vote for Nottingham Forest's player of the season from our shortlist.

The candidates have been chosen by Forest fan writer Saveena Johal from Punjabi Forest, external.

Find out the reasons behind the selections and make your choice here

Image source, Getty Images

Nuno Espirito Santo says Nottingham Forest have "let too many games get away" from them this season but feels they have always competed.

It has been a difficult season for Forest, who sacked Steve Cooper just before Christmas because of poor form, and also had four points deducted for breaking Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Nuno's side travel to Turf Moor on Sunday knowing that even if Luton win against Fulham and they lose to Burnley, the Hatters would also need to make up a 12-goal swing in goal difference to force Forest down.

"At the end [of Sunday's game] we will talk about what we have achieved," the Forest boss said.

"So many things have happened, so I am really proud of the players and I have to give them credit.

"When we go back and do analysis of the season it will be in the right moment, but we have always been able to compete really well in games. Sometimes we play better or not so good, but we have competed.

"The feeling is always that we should have been better. We have never felt that someone beat us, it was just that we let too many games get away from us.

"Yes, in certain games we have been punished but we have always been a team that wants to attack and score. That is part of our identity.

"We still have to finish the job. But credit to the players because it has not been an easy season."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Sunday's final game of the season at Burnley.

Here are the key lines from the Nottingham Forest boss:

• Midfielder Nicolas Dominguez has had surgery "to solve an issue that has been dragging on" and will not be available for the final game of the season.

• Defender Neco Williams will also miss the trip to Turf Moor.

• On being all-but safe from relegation: "There is still a game to go and we know how football can go. It is best that we prepare the same way with commitment. We are clear about everything that can happen."

• He said "it has not been an easy season" so "is really proud" of the players for the way they dealt with the challenges.

• On what they need to do to improve next season: "When we go back and do analysis it will be in the right moment. We have always been able to compete really well in games. The feeling is always that we should have been better."

• He said Chris Wood "has given so much" to the team since joining on loan in January and "is going to finish well" against Burnley.

• On VAR and the vote to scrap it: "It is a tough one. I think it should have been better this season, so we have to hope it improves. What we want for them is to improve. I am no so sure about scrapping it."

Follow all of Friday's live Premier League news conferences

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League season finishes on Sunday, with the league champions, qualifiers for European competitions and the third relegated club all yet to be confirmed.

The title

Manchester City start the day two points ahead of Arsenal but with a marginally worse goal difference.

City will be champions:

• If they beat West Ham

• If they draw or lose AND Arsenal fail to win

Arsenal will be champions:

• If they beat Everton AND City fail to win - an Arsenal win and a City draw would hand the title Arsenal on goal difference

The remaining European places

The fifth-place finisher qualifies for the Europa League. For sixth and seventh, it will depend on the outcome of the FA Cup final, the winners of which earn a Europa League place.

If Manchester City win the FA Cup, that Europa League place reverts to the league so the sixth-placed team will play in next season's Europa League, and the seventh-placed team will be in the Europa Conference League.

If Manchester United win the FA Cup, they get in the Europa League wherever they finish, and the highest-placed team not yet qualified for Europe gets the Europa Conference League place.

So let's take it team by team...

Tottenham:

• Will be fifth if they avoid defeat at Sheffield United, or if Chelsea fail to win

• Will be sixth if they lose AND Chelsea win

Chelsea:

• Will be fifth if they beat Bournemouth AND Tottenham lose

• Will be sixth if they win AND Tottenham avoid defeat

• Will be sixth if they draw, regardless of any other results

• Will be seventh if they lose AND Newcastle United win, or if Manchester United win while making up a 16-goal swing in goal difference over the Blues

• Will be eighth if they lose AND Newcastle win AND Manchester United win while making up the aforementioned 16-goal swing

Newcastle:

• Will be sixth if they win at Brentford AND Chelsea lose

• Will be seventh if they win AND Chelsea avoid defeat

• Will be seventh if they draw AND Manchester United fail to win

• Will be seventh if they lose AND Manchester United lose

• Will be eighth if they fail to win AND Manchester United win

Manchester United:

• Will be sixth if they win at Brighton AND Chelsea lose, with United making up an unfathomable 16-goal swing in goal difference on them, AND Newcastle fail to win

• Will be seventh if they better Newcastle's result, if they win and Newcastle fail to win, or if they draw and Newcastle lose

• Will be eighth if Newcastle match their result, if both teams win, draw or lose, or if Manchester United draw and Newcastle avoid defeat - or if Manchester United lose no matter what happens elsewhere

There is a highly unlikely scenario in which Manchester United could overtake Newcastle if both clubs win or both lose. However, it would require an improbable 25-goal swing in goal difference for this to occur. For example, if Newcastle win 1-0, Manchester United would need to win by a margin of 26 goals or more to move above them in the table.

The remaining relegation spot

Luton Town will be relegated unless they beat Fulham AND Nottingham Forest lose at Burnley, while the Hatters would also need to make up a 12-goal swing in goal difference across the two games, which would improbably relegate the Reds instead.

Sheffield United are planning a move for Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall, 27. (Team Talk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

The latest episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football is available now.

David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss Forest almost certainly securing a third successive season in the Premier League, VAR in the English top flight and whether the club could move from the City Ground.

Listen on BBC Sounds

Wolves are in the news this week for their pursuit of a vote on the scrapping of VAR.

Their wishes drew further scrutiny on Wednesday when Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon found himself in the middle of a contentious call before offering a strong view on the technology after his side went down at Manchester United.

"Modified" is the word when we are talking about VAR going to a vote.

We are still getting to grips with it, but we have seen some good come from it. There have been some instances of indifferent decisions because calls are getting too many looks at them from so many angles.

They still do not know what is a good tackle and what is not. I think they need help from some former players, who have been in that situation and understand what the differences are in those challenges.

We keep talking about different angles and that is not going to go away because with VAR or without it, on certain challenges we would still disagree. You could have two current players in a room and they still would not agree.

It is Wolves' opinion on VAR and if they feel it is not working for them, then you can understand why they are saying to have a go without it again.

Molineux boss Gary O'Neil has been very frustrated, but he has also been balanced and tried to stay quiet. Now he does not want to stay quiet because he feels it does not benefit them and decisions are not going their way.

Overall, we have seen good things from VAR, even if it does bring with it a delay and a wait.

It would be a shame now for it to all go away when we have all the technology in place.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Survival is almost certainly secured, so what are your thoughts going into Sunday's final game of the season?

What has to change with Forest's recruitment? Are you confident the Reds can meet profitability and sustainability rules?

And what about the boss - is Nuno Espirito Santo the right person to lead the club forward?

Have your say here.

Here are the key facts and figures before Burnley host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

• Burnley have won six of their past seven home league games against Nottingham Forest, but this is the first time they have hosted them since a 1-0 win in February 2016.

• Nottingham Forest are winless in their past six league games against Burnley (D4 L2) since a 2-0 home win in December 2012.

• Having won their final Premier League game in the 2009-10 (4-2 v Spurs) and 2014-15 (1-0 v Aston Villa) campaigns, Burnley have lost each of their past six matches on MD38 in the competition

• Nottingham Forest have not won their final league game in any of the past four seasons (D2 L2) since beating Bolton 1-0 in their 2018-19 Championship campaign.

Saveena Johal
Fan writer

We asked our Nottingham Forest fan contributor for their four player of the season choices and you can now vote for your top one.

Image source, Getty Images

Morgan Gibbs-White

It feels like Gibbs-White is one of our own, and I am sure he feels much the same - he plays his heart out and is clearly motivated by a deep respect for the club. Helping to motivate the team as captain, smart passes that land at the feet of his team-mates, and his link up play with Chris Wood - there is a lot he can do.

Callum Hudson-Odoi

Hudson-Odoi has shown exceptional talent over these past few months. He has delivered stunning goals recently, proving himself to be a vital force in front of goal with incredible pace to match. While Chris Wood has also certainly bolstered our survival chances this season, Hudson-Odoi's consistency and class gives me great confidence.

Murillo

Murillo has been immense for us. His long passes are outstanding and his defence has been consistently impressive - the amount of near goals he has blocked have certainly helped. Let us just hope he is able to showcase his technical ability for a little longer with us.

Neco Williams

Williams has an astonishing work-rate, as he plays with the same level of intensity in every match. Through his time at Forest, he has progressively improved. Not a single bad performance springs to mind and this is well supported with him being the Reds' player of the month for three consecutive months.

Pick your 2023-24 Nottingham Forest player of the season from our shortlist here

Saveena Johal can be found at Punjabi Forest, external

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

The message was loud and clear on Saturday - "Stand up for the City Ground."

Players come and go, owners come and go, even the Premier League comes and goes. But one thing remains constant - the fans.

Proposals to up sticks and build a new stadium in Toton, nine miles away from Nottingham Forest's home of 126 years, have not been popular with the City Ground faithful.

Plans to rebuild the Peter Taylor Stand, and increase capacity to almost 40,000, have stalled in recent years for numerous reasons. Undoubtedly, the Reds want a stadium fit for the 21st century, and with Premier League survival almost assured for another season, that imperative increases by the day.

While the prospect of a new build close to the city might be countenanced by some - we have been here before with Gamston, Clifton and Eastcroft - a move so far away makes no sense whatsoever.

Evidently fans have an emotional attachment to a ground that has an atmosphere that can be hard to beat, as well as a history and heritage few can match. But the money that a Premier League stadium brings to the city is as important, as well as the whole match day experience for home and away visitors.

The City Council surely have no desire to see the club leave, so we can only hope - perhaps assume - that negotiations will resume imminently and posturing on both sides will cease.

When Mull of Kintyre rings out before kick off, one line is very clear - "My desire is always to be here."

Pat Riddell can be found at The Famous Club, external

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea.

Here are some of your answers:

Nottingham Forest fans

Simon: Typical Forest this season. Get the lead and then give it away. Nuno to blame, once again. Terrible subs. No way he can stay with us next season, absolutely no better than Cooper. Same poor defensive play style. Useless sub decisions. We're safe but it's not the way we should have ended the season.

Raymond: Anyone watching would never have guessed we were in the bottom four. We again showed flashes of fluency and quality in our passing. This squad has so much potential. I can’t wait for next season.

Hank: Typical Forest! Sums up much of the season. Played well, deserved something, but threw it away due to our own sloppy mistakes. Really took the shine off effectively staying up - but that is still the main thing. I hope we get a proper celebration next week. Will be glad when this season is over - roll on August!

Image source, PA Media

Former England winger Chris Waddle, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about Nottingham Forest after Saturday's loss to Chelsea: "Forest have got a lot of work to do in the summer.

"They've got five or six talented players who can hold their own in this league, but we're talking about squad size and quality. I'm sure the manager knows he's got to bring in at least four or five good players if they want to be well away [from relegation trouble].

"They've got to be spending money next season again - I don't know if they can - but this squad they've got at the minute will be in a battle to stay in this league next year."

Listen to more analysis on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Also, listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham United v Luton Town

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

There was a carnival atmosphere inside the City Ground as news of Luton's defeat to West Ham filtered through before Nottingham Forest's final home game of the season to Chelsea.

It meant Forest required one point to confirm a third successive season in the Premier League.

For six minutes it looked like they might confirm their survival in style as Callum Hudson-Odoi sent Forest into a 2-1 lead in the 74th-minute before Chelsea hit back with two late goals to seal a 3-2 win.

It will still require an unlikely set of circumstances to deny Forest a place in the Premier League next season.

They head into the final day with a three point lead over Luton, who also require a 12-goal swing to stay up.

But there was a sense of opportunity missed and instead of securing their safety with a game to spare, Nuno Espirito Santo's side head to relegated Burnley on 19 May knowing they have work to do.