Nottingham Forest hit four past Ipswich Town in their first Premier League away win since January, with a result that sees the Reds reinstate their cushion inside the top four. George Edwards was at the match
“The East of England Co-operative Stand, Portman Road Stadium” by James Cracknell is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 
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Nottingham Forest have cracked the Premier League.
Two years ago they very much mirrored yesterday’s opponents Ipswich Town. Promoted unexpectedly, invested heavily and life in England’s top division proving tough. The difference for Forest was that they survived — something looking less likely by the week for the Tractor Boys — and have progressed in ways nobody imagined.
The Reds did to Ipswich what many teams did to them in their first two years back in the Premier League — bided their time and waited for defensive mistakes, capitalising and exploiting them in deadly fashion. Goals from Nikola Milenkovic, Anthony Elanga and Jota Silva saw Forest hit four past Ipswich — here are three talking points from the match.
A welcome away win to boost their Champions League chances
“We’re the Forest, the mighty Forest, we always win away!”
The chant that Forest fans have sung repetitively on the road this season, boasting the league’s third-best record on enemy territory. Despite this, the Reds hadn’t won away in the league since beating Wolves in January — a long time ago.
Albeit tough fixtures, they’ve lost their last three away from home, conceding 11 and looking completely outclassed in most of those moments.
Ipswich not only presented a favourable chance to get back to winning ways, but also signified a huge opportunity to gain points where Forest’s European rivals may not.
That’s exactly what prevailed: Forest’s win, coupled with Manchester City’s draw against Brighton and Bournemouth’s loss to Brentford, means Forest took the chance to rebuild the cushion they had in third place, which had been lost over the past month.
With nine to go, Forest sit six points ahead of fifth place Manchester City with a win that signifies Forest’s favourable fixture run to come.
The business side of the season doesn’t often come around until after the last international break, but Ipswich was the start of 10 games against sides, bar Chelsea on the final day, Forest had already beaten this season in the Premier League. Their recent form, given the teams faced, wasn’t awful, but victory seemed vital to build on last week’s igniting win over Manchester City and begin the charge into the final quarter of the season.
Flexible in victory and brilliant in attack
The Reds’ defensive stability has been the cornerstone of their season and success, and there will be grave annoyance from Matz Sels and co. that another clean sheet couldn’t have been secured.
However, it’s just so refreshing to see Forest look a threat no matter how they play or who they face.
Nuno has always been known as a tactician, his tinkering between and during games always a feature of his teams. For the third game running the manager named the same side, and Forest began as they did against City, with Nico Dominguez wider, Morgan Gibbs-White deeper and Elanga more central.
But it wasn’t set in stone, with Forest’s creative players having the backing from the manager to be free to roam and the ability to create chances from all over the field. Their three first-half goals proved this, with Elanga the shining light in attack once again.
For the opener, his movement and pressure was paramount to them winning the corner, with Forest keeping the ball alive before Milenkovic emphatically smashed home.
Elanga’s first came as he drifted out to the right before dancing infield and finding the far corner with beautiful composure, mirroring his strike away at Brentford earlier this season.
His second and Forest’s third came as Elanga found space and used his strength down the middle, expertly beating Alex Palmer to round off six minutes of celebration in the Forest away end.
Seeing their side attack with such breathtaking confidence, the visiting supporters were bouncing, and despite the concession of two sloppy goals in the second half, Forest’s position as match winners was never really in doubt, rounded off by Jota Silva off the bench.
Morgan Gibbs-White shown full support
A simple shrug of the shoulders was the response from Morgan Gibbs-White at full time when the Forest faithful were chanting that he should be “England’s number 10”.
Thomas Tuchel’s decision on Friday to omit the midfielder from his first England squad baffled many of the Premier League community, the man at the centre of the pitch spearheading Forest’s incredible season.
Relishing his role slightly deeper, Gibbs-White was once again central to how Forest played, taking charge of the midfield and leading Forest with the armband as he does so with drive and spirit.
Another assist for Forest’s number 10 came to set Jota up for the fourth goal, making it 12 PL goal involvements this season. His devastating passing range and dynamic work rate make him cut out for international football. Someone who never hides from the spotlight and who gives 100% every time he crosses that white line
While Tuchel decided not to select Gibbs-White, his position as Forest’s focal point week-in, week-out is in no doubt, and his involvement will be crucial as Forest chase their Champions League dream.
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