Nottingham Forest

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

This week, he takes on musician Emma-Jean Thackray, who is a Leeds fan.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Nottingham Forest keep on winning but, although Everton are on a run of three draws, they got them against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, in games where everyone expected them to be beaten - including me.

Everton have earned those results by being resilient but I thought Iliman Ndiaye's equaliser against City was a superb strike. It was a goal of sheer beauty, the way he took it, and it feels like they always pose a threat.

Forest have been defending well too - they had less than 30% possession in their 1-0 victory over Tottenham but still found a way to win.

Their centre-back pairing of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo has been the best in the Premier League this season, and their right-back Ola Aina is in phenomenal form as well.

Anthony Elanga, who got their winner against Spurs, is on a decent scoring run too, and it is going to be hard for Everton to stop them.

I think Sean Dyche's side will surprise a few people again here, though, and I am going for them to get another draw.

Emma-Jean's prediction: 0-2

Jack Harrison did not endear himself to Leeds fans with the way he left us for Everton so the child in me wants to see an own goal from him or something like that, and a Forest win.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

John Bennett
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is something magical about a group of players and a set of fans being totally in sync.

That is why my favourite moment of the year is not just about a great goal - it is also about the reaction afterwards. When Ola Aina sent the ball flying into the top corner in November against West Ham, it felt like the Nottingham Forest supporters and the team were realising at the same time that they were living through an amazing season.

Forest were already 2-0 up and coasting when Aina dispossessed Jean-Clair Todibo 25 yards out, controlled the ball with his thigh, and then hit a sweet half-volley.

When it is rocking, the City Ground is always one of the most atmospheric grounds in the country and the noise after that goal was so deafening that I struggled to hear Final Score presenter Jason Mohammad as he handed to me to describe the scenes.

Afterwards, Aina ran to the corner pretending to mix some ingredients in an imaginary bowl to symbolise that the team was "cooking". I can still picture some of the fans in the row in front of the press seats turning round, almost in disbelief.

An amazing strike and even better celebrations.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo believes refereeing standards have improved, ahead of their first trip to Everton since last season's controversy.

Forest return to Goodison Park on Sunday having been fined £750,000 by the Football Association for an "attack on the integrity of a match official on an unparalleled scale" following a social media post after a 2-0 defeat in April.

Forest claimed video assistant referee (VAR) Stuart Attwell was a fan of Luton Town, who were also battling relegation at the time, when they complained on X about three penalty decisions that went against them in the loss on 21 April.

They were ultimately punished in October, but Nuno feels standards have risen from officials now.

"This is what is normal. This is normal, what happened before was not normal," he said. "We are seeing a season of improvement. We are delighted because what we want is to play the game and ignore everything else.

"For everybody. I hope it continues because us coaches, we just want to play football."

In the aftermath of the loss at Everton, Nuno was given a suspended one-match touchline ban and fined £40,000 for his comments - with the suspension triggered after he was charged with misconduct following his reaction to Morgan Gibbs-White's red card at Brighton in September.

Mark Clattenburg also left his position as Forest's referee analyst in the wake of the charge, having been given a formal warning himself after a newspaper column.

It was part of a chaotic end to the season which saw Forest stay up thanks to a final day win at Burnley.

It was a moment Nuno feels was a moment of realisation of how to find success for a team that is five points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle in the Premier League.

"There was a moment, the final game [of last season] at Burnley, we had a nice chat. We had a moment," he said following Thursday's win over Tottenham.

"That day we realised it was mission accomplished, the first job we had to do we did it and we did it in a way under the circumstances we did. We did it without conflict.

"I told them they did it because they are a nice group of people. Then we have built on all the aspects but first the bond. That is the priority.

"My belief is that this is the priority for everything, if you don't work together, how can you build something?"

Image source, PA Media

Nottingham Forest will aim to extend their four-match winning run in the Premier League when they face Everton on Sunday.

Asked after Thursday's win over Tottenham how hard it is to prepare for another game in quick succession, Nuno said: "Very difficult. That's why we have to be really careful with our recovery.

"Tomorrow and after tomorrow is not about preparing [for] the game - it's about recovering well and arriving at Everton and competing.

"Both teams are going to face the same issues so there is no advantage for either [team]. It's about how well we can compete under the circumstances."

Everton have drawn with Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in their previous three games.

Asked whether Everton's style of play makes them one of the most difficult opponents Forest could have faced at this time, Nuno replied: "It is so hard [against] every team.

"But this tight schedule - we were ready for it, we must be ready. Now is the moment to be careful and every player in the squad must give a hand. Even those that didn't join our squad [against Tottenham] must be ready."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Elliot Anderson has said Nottingham Forest's squad are dreaming about Europe but cannot get carried away.

Forest are in the Premier League's top three after four straight wins and they hold a five-point lead over fifth-placed Newcastle to increase hopes of a return to Europe for the first time since 1995-96.

Then, having finished third under Frank Clark, the two-time European Cup winners lost a Uefa Cup quarter-final to Bayern Munich.

Anderson, who joined Forest from Newcastle in the summer, said: "Everyone dreams. We have a bit of banter every now and then and we chat about it but we just need to try to get it back to the next game ahead, which is Everton. That's all we're doing now.

"We're on some great momentum at the moment - it's four in a row and everyone is buzzing.

"Obviously it is brilliant to be there but as everyone says we have to take it game by game.

"On paper, we've got some great players in the squad. It's all clicking. Everyone is full of confidence and we're going in the right direction."

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has commented on his and the club's improving relationships with match officials, after last season criticising decisions made in their defeat at Everton.

"This is what is normal - in my view, what happened before was not normal," Nuno said before Forest's first return to Goodison Park.

"I think we are seeing a season of improvement and we are delighted because what we wanted is to play the game and ignore everything else."

Indeed, the Forest boss believes refereeing standards have improved across the board in the Premier League, adding: "For everybody, for every team. I am not following every team but we have the sense that they are doing well.

"I hope it continues because us coaches and players we don't want to think about the referee - we just want to play football."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Matt: Definitely looking very solid. Never worried now when the opposition are attacking. Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo along with Ola Aina and Neco Williams are so strong at the back, leaving Mats Sels with very little to do, which is a goalkeeper's dream. The target now is to keep this squad of players and sign them on longer contracts. Every one of these players will go down in history as part of Forest's best Premier League side. Thirty years ago this season (1994-95), we finished third and that was the season that made me a Forest supporter.

Tim: It's time Forest started getting due notice. Breaking Brentford's long home record, now shutting down free-scoring Spurs. Everyone points out the rapid-fire counter-attacking tactics, but few teams can stop it. Forest are a brilliantly coached and organized organisation. Long may it last!

Abbott: After all the early-season chatter about tactics, one-off displays, punching above our weight and being a surprise package, it's now just plain and simple - we're just a good team. That's it... the sleeping giant is stirring in the Forest of Nottingham.

Dave: Rock solid at the back, clever, quick and incisive on the break - Forest are a joy to watch and set up perfectly to win matches. Nuno, the chairman, the players and the fans are all on the same page. Reminds me of the Brian Clough days.

Spurs fans

Alan: Fair play to Forest - they did a number on us and took their goal well. We didn't play that badly but we don't have the players to play a high line, yet we continue to do so and lo and behold we keep shipping goals. I get Ange Postecoglou's philosophy but if we don't start winning soon we are going to be bang in trouble.

Mob: Ninth loss from 18 games played. Another poor performance today where we struggled to break down a team playing a low block. Team performance was once again poor. We didn't look like we were going to score, period! It's pretty much a rinse-and-repeat situation, with the same one-dimensional tactics. Ange is out of his depth, and any optimism I had is well and truly gone.

Richard: Weak, stale, devoid of direction and leadership. We looked very ordinary, lacking any true star power, or even an in-form player. The Forest game was not about Ange's tactics; rather it was all about the skill level of our players and their ability to win a tackle and make an accurate, productive pass.

Neil: Seen all too often. Lack of desire among the players - no heart and no drive. It's clear they don't believe in what he's trying to do. Ange has no tactical insight to change the game - stubborn. Now's the time for change.

Highlights and analysis from Boxing Day's eight Premier League fixtures.

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

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Goalkeeper Matz Sels said Nottingham Forest won't get carried away despite ending Boxing Day sitting third in the Premier League.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side leapfrogged Arsenal in the table with Thursday's win over Tottenham - Forest's fourth successive Premier League victory.

It is the first time since May 1995 that Forest have won four consecutive Premier League games.

"We have only played 18 games, the season is still really long," Sels told BBC Radio Nottingham. "It is nice to see the ranking but it is still too early to celebrate.

"We need to enjoy tonight but from tomorrow we need full focus on Sunday's game against Everton. If you want to stay there, we know what we need to do."

Belgium international Sels has now kept back-to-back clean sheets.

"We are defending really well," he said. "We know that we need to defend with 11 players and we are doing well at the moment. It is a pleasure to play with my two central defenders because we have a lot of confidence and we will try to keep going like this.

"It's nice to keep a clean sheet but it is always a team effort, it is not one player so we need to keep going and it is a big game on Sunday. We need to keep going and keep this momentum going as long as possible."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have spent years in the shadows, it is only fair to allow them to enjoy the good times.

Third in the Premier League and in form they have not seen in the Premier League since 1995 it is heady days at the City Ground.

The stadium was feisty and vociferous as Tottenham were vanquished. Nuno Espirito touched on the togetherness at home in his post-match press conference and believes the team and the fans are as one now.

As the fog rolled in from the Trent it added to the festive magic but there is no mystique about this Forest side. It is hard to see them tailing off and, after half a season, they cannot be called the surprise package any more.

It has taken a year of hard work. Gritting the teeth during last season's battle against relegation, a four-point deduction after a profit and sustainability charge and public rows about referees.

Compared to that this season has been serene, even if owner Evangelos Marinakis was given a five-game stadium ban for spitting in the direction of officials.

After 23 out of the Premier League only the Grinch would begrudge Forest's Christmas cheer.

Image source, Getty Images

Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to Amazon Prime after Nottingham Forest's win over Tottenham: "That [being up to third in the table] is not what is important. We did things very well during a lot of spells in the game. We were against the ropes because Tottenham have huge quality. But overall a good performance."

On what pleased him most: "We came into the game realising we had to be brave. The way we went out always with a threat, that is how we achieved the goal. I'm very pleased with the attitude and the spirit and the help of fans. The City Ground was huge for us today."

On the goal: "The first pass was beautiful and the finish, he is a talented boy."

On togetherness: "Our main strength is the bond they have, they way they help each other in every moment. Those from the bench [made an] impact. Everyone in the squad is huge. It's a team spirit. It's a team sport and we need everybody."

On if the City Ground is a fortress: "We had issues here in the past. We have been able to compete much better at home. The huge help from the fans helped us and we can feel it. We have to keep on going."

Image source, Getty Images

Anthony Elanga has scored in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time. He had gone 28 games without a goal before this current run.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies

There are eight matches in the Premier League on Thursday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Manchester City v Everton (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Crystal Palace

• Chelsea v Fulham

• Newcastle v Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest v Tottenham

• Southampton v West Ham

• Wolves v Manchester United (17:30)

• Liverpool v Leicester (20:00)

Kick-off time 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

This week, he takes on Eats Everything, aka DJ and producer Daniel Pearce.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

Tottenham are flagging at the moment and missing a lot of key players but it is obvious that manager Ange Postecoglou will not compromise on his playing style - he has made that clear in the past week.

It makes this game fascinating because Nottingham Forest are in great form and they are also resilient defensively, and able to soak up pressure.

Spurs are such a strange team that I still feel they could go to the City Ground and win by three or four goals, but you have to fancy Forest to score a couple too.

I am very tempted to back Nuno Espirito Santo's side to win this, because they will sit in a mid to low block and just counter-attack, which will cause Spurs problems.

But Tottenham have got goals in them, so I am going for a draw.

Eats Everything's prediction: 3-1

One of my best mates, Matt, is a die-hard Forest fan so I follow them quite closely and I am really pleased they are doing so well. They have got some brilliant players too - if Manchester United signed Murillo then I would be over the moon, and I really like Chris Wood.

Forest were brilliant against United earlier this month and fully deserved to beat us. They have had some big results already this season and I think they will get another win here. I was going to go 2-0 to Forest, but Spurs always score.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Image source, Getty Images

After a run of 28 Premier League games without a goal, Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga has now scored in his past two appearances.

The winger has never scored in three consecutive league games.

Image source, Getty Images

For me, wherever I played, I'd always see where the first game was, where the last game was, and where we were at Christmas.

There is such a big difference between being at home on Boxing Day versus being away because, depending on what your manager is like, if you've got an away game there is a chance you're training on Christmas Day.

Some of the toughest times I had was when we had away games on Boxing Day and we had to come in to train at four or five on Christmas. That's when everything is just starting at home and everyone is really enjoying themselves and you have to leave.

If you lose you are sat in the hotel having walked away from friends and family all for no points. It's not the best feeling and as a consequence you bring home some of that disappointment with you.

But, in reality, you just know it is the busiest time of the year. The floodlights are always on for the games, the conditions get that little bit tougher, you've got games it feels like every three or four days.

I think it's an exciting part of the season because you can gain real, significant momentum but ultimately it comes down to are you winning games.

I think the Christmas period itself can be tough if you have got family but in reality it always feels nicer when you get that win on Boxing Day. The atmosphere in the stadiums is a little bit different, the atmosphere among the players is a bit different.

You're very thankful to get the chance to do what you do, but if you end up losing on Boxing Day or around that spell it is rubbish because it almost feels like it was a waste of time with all the efforts you put in.

But, I get it. The fans love it, there is a lot of clamour around it. You lose track of days just like everyone else does after Christmas and before New Year but it is great to play in front of those types of crowds and it just does feel different playing during that week or two.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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Only four clubs have scored against Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League this season. Only one of them have won.

In fact, Arne Slot's side have only been defeated once in the league this season. And that victory was Nottingham Forest's first at Anfield in 55 years.

There have been several memorable moments this year for Forest, particularly since this enthralling season began in August. But that historic win is up there for many reasons — most importantly, it was an early marker for this season. It demonstrated that we can win anywhere, that Nuno Espirito Santo's side have the tactical nous to deliver those kind of performances and that getting one over on our old-time European rivals instilled a confidence that only games like that can bring.

I was in the departure lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5, desperately trying to catch a glimpse on my phone; we took off before I knew the final result. Our writer George Edwards was there though, and described it as "total ecstasy… perhaps the greatest away moment this century".

Having slumped to a 3-0 defeat in the same fixture last season, Forest were already a more resolute outfit having strengthened in key areas. Nuno's team selection was a surprise but clearly part of a carefully thought through game plan. Stifling Liverpool's attack is no easy task but that's exactly what the Reds did — playing in their sky blue kit — displaying their determination and collective organisation. The devastating part of the strategy was bringing on the benched pair of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, whose pace and match-winning exploits were the difference on the day.

I don't think there's a Forest fan who didn't remain on a high for days, even weeks, after that win. Given how the season has panned out so far, both sides have performed beyond expectations — and this result was hugely significant in a current and historic context.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

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Nottingham Forest's league position at Christmas is "extraordinary" but they still need to "keep their feet on the floor", says BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray.

Their 2-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday, who had been unbeaten at home this season, took them to fourth in the table.

The Reds are now three points above Bournemouth in fifth and just two points behind Arsenal, who sit third.

Fray said: "Who would have given you many odds on that [top four at Christmas] back in August? Nobody really.

"People weren't expecting this. People locally might have been thinking that 12th or something like that would have been a great improvement, but nobody was thinking this. Fourth at Christmas is an extraordinary improvement year on year.

"They finished last year with 32 points and earned 36 on the pitch. They have 31 already but Forest are not going to be going into the new year thinking: 'That's it, we have enough points now to stay safe.' Those objectives are revised now.

"They need to keep doing what they are doing. They need to strengthen again in January with sensible additions to make them even stronger, even better.

"Like any side, they will need a little bit of luck with injuries and want to avoid key players getting injured. And they need really to keep their feet on the floor.

"They can't get carried away by thinking about the league table and their position."