Chris Wood etched his name deeper into Nottingham Forest’s history, netting a crucial second-half penalty to secure a 1-0 victory over Ipswich and drawing level with Bryan Roy’s record of 24 Premier League goals for the club.
Wood’s strike came in the 49th minute after he confidently converted from the spot, bringing his season tally to eight goals. Only Erling Haaland (12) and Mohamed Salah (10) have scored more in the league.
This win halted Forest’s recent slump, propelling them to sixth place, tied on points with Chelsea, who sit fourth.
Ipswich had promising moments in the first half, but Forest’s defense held firm. Ola Aina’s heroic clearance off the line in the 23rd minute thwarted Cameron Burgess’s header, and goalkeeper Matz Sels later denied Omari Hutchinson with a sharp save.
Forest’s resurgence after the break was swift. They earned a penalty when Sammie Szmodics fouled Jota Silva, allowing Wood to step up and convert decisively.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo made significant changes following the defeat to Arsenal, introducing five new starters.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson returned from injury, Chris Wood reclaimed his place upfront, Neco Williams took over at left-back, and Jota Silva made his full Premier League debut. Ipswich, on the other hand, made just one change, with Conor Chaplin replacing Wes Burns.
Despite a late effort from Forest’s Murillo that required a fine save from Arijanet Muric, Ipswich failed to find an equalizer. The visitors, who registered only one shot on target, saw their three-match unbeaten streak snapped and fell into the relegation zone, sitting second from bottom.
Reflecting on the performance, Nuno Espirito Santo praised his players for returning to fundamentals: “back to basics.”
Forest’s defense, led by Ola Aina, was pivotal in securing the clean sheet. Aina’s contributions were standout, with no player making more tackles, winning more challenges, or recording more interceptions.
His contract nearing its end will undoubtedly heighten Forest’s desire to keep him at the club.
The solid defensive effort was complemented by Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo at the heart of defense, while Neco Williams impressed on the left, keeping Omari Hutchinson in check. Behind them, Matz Sels’ crucial save highlighted his role in preserving the shutout.
With their fifth clean sheet of the season—second only to Liverpool’s six—Forest’s defensive resilience returns at a crucial moment.
Tough fixtures against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa lie ahead, but Nuno will be pleased to see his side rediscovering their discipline and grit at just the right time.
