Blow to Nottingham Forest’s Champions League hopes as Brentford win 2-0 away
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Brentford's Kevin Schade celebrates scoring their first goal with teammate Yoane Wissa.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo urged his team to “give it our all” in their last four English Premier League games, after they suffered a huge blow to their Champions League hopes following a 2-0 home loss to Brentford on May 1.
A third defeat in four league games, courtesy of goals from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa, leaves the stumbling two-time European champions outside the top five with just four games left.
Liverpool have already won the title and second-placed Arsenal have a comfortable cushion, but just five points separate third-placed Newcastle United from seventh-paced Aston Villa.
This season, the top five will all qualify for the Champions League.
Not since 1980 have Forest played in the continent’s top club competition. But after a season spent largely in the upper reaches of the Premier League, they are suffering a major wobble at the worst possible moment.
“It’s a bad night and a bad game. I’m not really worried about the table, more how to correct the mistakes,” Nuno told Sky Sports.
“Credit to Brentford, but the situations we should solve normally with better defending. We are disappointed, but it’s about reacting and going for the next one. There are still four games to go, a lot of football to be played. We have to give it our all, focus on ourselves and play better football.”
Brentford made the breakthrough on the cusp of half-time when defender Nathan Collins fired a long ball down the middle to find Schade.
The forward did not control the ball initially, but Forest defender Ola Aina stumbled and Schade had a simple finish.
An initially balmy May evening turned to lashing rain at the start of the second half and Forest dominated the ball in the early stages, with Anthony Elanga going close.
But Brentford silenced the home crowd when Wissa doubled their lead with 20 minutes to go following another long ball. Mark Flekken’s goal kick was allowed to bounce and Wissa outpaced Nikola Milenkovic, before coolly chipping the ball over Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels at the City Ground.
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa scores their second goal past Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Defeat is a bitter disappointment for Forest but a major boost for 11th-placed Brentford in their own drive to qualify for European football next season.
“It was a good away performance. Very solid. I think it is a big strength that we go to a difficult place against a team who have been fantastic all season,” said Bees boss Thomas Frank.
“It was only seven out of 10, in my opinion. We were very strong defensively and gave little away. We should have kept the ball better in the second half. Credit to the boys. I think everything is possible. There are four games left. We’ll try out best to win them.”
Forest’s remaining fixtures are against Crystal Palace, Leicester City, West Ham United and Chelsea. Their season is threatening to end with a whimper after also losing to Manchester City in last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final.
REUTERS, AFP
