EPL: Nottingham Forest Wins 3-1 Against Brentford in Season Opener

Chris Wood's brace powers Nottingham Forest past Brentford

Nottingham Forest starts the season with a 3-1 win over Brentford, thanks to Chris Wood's impressive brace and Dan Ndoye's debut goal.

Nottingham Forest got off to a flying start in the new Premier League season, breezing past Brentford with a convincing 3-1 win. Chris Wood, the Forest striker, wasted no time in making his mark, scoring a brace, including the opening goal in the 5th minute. The goal came after Brentford failed to clear a Forest corner, and Wood pounced on the loose ball to steer it home.

Early Dominance and Second Goal

• Forest's attack was relentless, with Wood scoring his second goal in the 45th minute, expertly rounding Caoimhin Kelleher after a pass from Elliot Anderson.

• Dan Ndoye added to Brentford's woes with a superb diving header in the 42nd minute, courtesy of Morgan Gibbs-White's cross.

Despite the strong start, the match lost some intensity in the second half. Brentford managed to pull one back through Igor Thiago's penalty in the 78th minute, but it was too little, too late, as Forest held on for a well-deserved win. This victory marked a confident start to the season for Nottingham Forest, silencing doubters after a mixed pre-season.

Three goals and three points to start the season for @NFFC ✅ pic.twitter.com/UPdbbrzFjx

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 17, 2025

Brentford withstood intense pressure in the opening 20 minutes under Thomas Frank's managerial watch, but they began to gain momentum as the game progressed. A notable moment came when Yehor Yarmolyuk's effort from the edge of the area forced a spectacular one-handed save from Matz Sels.

Contentious VAR Decision:

• Nottingham Forest felt aggrieved by a VAR decision just after the half-hour mark

• Elliot Anderson's free-kick struck Antoni Milambo's outstretched arm, but referee Peter Bankes and VAR didn't intervene

• Forest felt the decision was incorrect, fueling their frustration

The perceived injustice seemed to galvanize Forest, who capitalized on the momentum to double their lead before halftime. Dan Ndoye, making his Forest debut, headed home Morgan Gibbs-White's cross, giving Forest a significant advantage.

Just before halftime, Nottingham Forest sealed their victory with a third goal, courtesy of Chris Wood's clinical finish. Elliot Anderson's precise pass through the Brentford defense allowed Wood to round goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and slot the ball into an empty net, capping off a dominant first half for Forest.

The second half mirrored the first, with Nottingham Forest dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities. A highlight of the half came when Morgan Gibbs-White acrobatically volleyed over the bar from close range, showcasing his skill and athleticism. Despite Forest's dominance, they couldn't seal the win with a fourth goal.

Brentford's Late Consolation:

• The Bees were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute when Ibrahim Sangare was judged to have handled in the box

• Igor Thiago scored his first goal for the club, converting the penalty and reducing the deficit to 3-1

• Despite the consolation goal, Forest held on for a comfortable win.

The penalty proved to be a mere consolation for Brentford, as they suffered a 3-1 defeat on the opening day of the Premier League season under new manager Keith Andrews. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, celebrated a significant win, marking their first opening-day victory since 2017.

Forest's Historic Win:

• The win boosts Forest's confidence as they prepare for the upcoming UEFA Europa League campaign

• Forest's performance showcased their attacking prowess, with Chris Wood scoring a brace

• The victory sets a positive tone for Forest's season, while Brentford will look to regroup and bounce back.