Nuno Espírito Santo’s return to Molineux brought Nottingham Forest three points in a 3-0 win over Wolves, cementing them in the top four with their sixth consecutive Premier League victory. George Edwards was at the match
A sixth consecutive victory, a fourth consecutive clean sheet, a team in the form of their life… Nottingham Forest are flying.
The Wolves connection
Eight years ago, on a sunny August afternoon at Molineux, a star was born.
Wolverhampton Wanderers took a risk, appointing a young and relatively unknown Portuguese coach, tasked with gaining promotion to football’s most coveted league following an incredible amount of investment and anticipation.
And on the day that marked 50 years since Nottingham Forest and Brian Clough’s fairytale began, that star shone on brightly in 2025, as Nuno Espírito Santo crafted yet another victory in the West Midlands, this time from the away dugout.
Forest’s 3-0 victory over their current manager’s previous employers demonstrated his coaching class, his side weathering the storm and clinically pouncing when it mattered, as they so regularly do.
Forest had just three shots on target throughout the 90 minutes while conceding six, yet — by the end — the hosts looked completely stagnated and out of ideas or belief that they would breach Forest’s defence.
That sentiment stems from the dugout, with so many likening this current Forest side to his successful Wolves side of 2017-2021.
But while Forest’s league position might be all about him, Nuno is keen to shirk the spotlight, briefly yet affectionately applauding the away support before quickly disappearing down the tunnel at full time, allowing the players to lap up all the love from the travelling Forest faithful.
On or off the pitch, the Portuguese manager is just getting everything right at the moment.
The same can be said about Forest’s attack, spearheaded by Morgan Gibbs-White, who took just seven minutes to rise above the noise and net his fourth goal of the season, now two in two.
He’s at his best when the spotlight is on him. Captain’s armband, centre of the pitch, centre of attention for all inside Molineux. Cometh the man, never once shying away from the ball, hungry to prove himself as a footballer and to the onlooking England manager Thomas Tuchel.
His goal was very well taken, anticipating the space and standing in it, firing past Jose Sa with assurance. But that moment is one that Gibbs-White has surely been waiting for since he walked out the door at Wolves, finally able to well and truly silence a hostile and vicious atmosphere.
Yet another clean sheet met with attacking returns
After every match these days, it’s almost conventional to give a nod to Forest‘s sturdy defence, with nothing new really said but performances that just have to be recognised.
Matz Sels the forefront of that excellence once again, keeping the Wolves score at nil with four spectacular saves in the first half, a period where Forest were largely second best.
His commanding nature from set pieces and confidence with the ball at his feet continue to elevate him to new heights, now out front on his own in the Premier League’s golden glove race.
In front of him, Forest did relinquish more clear chances than has become the norm on Monday night, only the seventh time this season that they’ve conceded an xG of over one. Yet despite this, Murillo, Milenkovic and later Morato were all so consistent in their headed clearances and defensive positioning as Wolves maintained constant threats down their wings.
The Reds have formed incredible partnerships all over the pitch, all of which play an integral role in their collective success every week.
The three M’s at the back. Anderson owning the midfield alongside either Ryan Yates or Nico Dominguez. Their attacking front four all firing, combining again with all three goals being set up and scored by different players.
Anthony Elanga’s fifth goal contribution in as many games; Callum Hudson-Odoi returning to the lineup with an assist with an excellent dart forward and a sumptuous ball across goal, and you just knew Chris Wood would be there to tap it home, his 12th goal of the season.
That fluency has created incredible and consistent balance, with Forest scoring 13 and conceding just three in their winning run of six, only being behind for just 26 minutes of one game in that period. Oh, and now four consecutive Premier League clean sheets. Quite remarkable.
Everyone is loving the journey
The infectious smile on Taiwo Awoniyi’s face after netting Forest’s injury time third goal is one that proves that all of Nottingham Forest is united.
A player who was once Forest’s star striker now shadowing the man he used to keep out of the side, entering the field without a gripe, thirsty to make an impact. He epitomised why Forest are at these dizzy heights, with the lack of pressure on them allowing everyone to relish every challenge and enjoy every moment, fearlessly.
A season that has shocked the land has just taken a very serious turn. The Reds are now being taken seriously, feared and admired simultaneously, being discussed in European qualification and even title races with real substance.
And just let this sink in. With victory next Tuesday night, Nottingham Forest would go three points behind first place in the Premier League.
It’s becoming quite the ride.
Follow The Famous Club on:
Bluesky | Facebook | Flipboard | Google News | Instagram | Reddit | Threads | WhatsApp | X (Twitter)
