Brentford Fall to 1-0 Defeat Against Promotion Rivals Nottingham Forest
Brentford 0-1 Nottingham Forest
With Premier League promotion still in Brentford’s sights, Manager Thomas Frank opted to rest nine of his starting XI during their 1-0 FA Cup defeat against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon. Tuesday’s line-up saw the return of a number of first-team regulars including Bryan Mbeumo, Ollie Watkins and Saïd Benrahma, a front three who have 34 league goals between them this year.
Griffin Park has become somewhat of a fortress in recent months for the hosts. Going into the fixture, the Bees had won their last six home league games and boasted an impressive record against the visitors. Forest, had only managed three wins in their last 11 competitive matches against Brentford and last managed a league double over the hosts in 2006/07.
Tuesday’s clash presented a big opportunity for both clubs to take vital points from their promotion rivals. Nottingham Forest entered the game in fourth with 47 points, one point above Brentford in fifth. Since his arrival in the summer, things are starting to take shape for Sabri Lamouchi’s side who are currently unbeaten in six league matches. Their draw against Reading last time out meant that they have now earnt more points away from home than they managed in the whole of last season.
Forest had the first chance of the contest just at one minute into the match, Joe Lolley found himself clean through on goal, only to slip at the vital moment.
In the ninth minute, full-back Rico Henry had half a chance at the back post, but his volleyed effort went well wide following a smart counterattack.
Just five minutes later, the visitors found an opening through Lolley. A corner by Tiago Silva forced David Raya to punch the ball clear, only to find the waiting Lolley lurking on the edge of the box, his effort deflected past the helpless goalkeeper.
In the 22nd minute, Brentford came close to levelling the scores. Mbeumo out-muscled his man to play in the inform Watkins, despite cleverly creating half a yard for himself with some quick feet, his shot dragged narrowly wide.
Three minutes before the end of the half, Brentford continued to push for an equaliser. The ball fell invitingly to Saïd Benrahma but he was unable to connect cleanly and found his shot deflected behind for a corner.
Forest came close to doubling their lead four minutes into the second half. However, a great reflex save by Raya kept out Lewis Grabban’s effort from 6 yards out.
In the 64th minute, Mbeumo had the opportunity to equalise for the Bees. Henry whipped in a pinpoint ball into the box but Mbeumo completely miss-hit his shot, which was goal-bound with any sort of clean contact.
Just one minute later, Ethan Pinnock found himself caught out by a long ball behind the defensive line. A strong chase from Forest’s Grabban led to a coming together in the box but the referee Tim Robinson dismissed the penalty shouts to the annoyance of the vocal away fans.
With 10 minutes remaining, Brentford were gifted a free kick on the left-hand side of the Forest penalty area. Emiliano Marcondes came close with his dipping effort, but a strong palm from Brice Samba tipped the ball over the bar.
The Bees continued to push for the equaliser as the game drew to a close, but they were unable to penetrate Forest’s well-drilled defensive line. This inevitably meant that it was the visitors who secured vital points under the lights at Griffin Park.
Speaking after the match, Frank rued his side’s missed chances given that Forest made it difficult for the hosts to get into the game.
“It was a 0-0 game and not a good game of football for both sides. Forest are a good side and they are where they are for a reason,” said Frank.
“They are well organised and set out to make it scrappy from minute one.
“When you see them time-wasting so early you know you have done something good at Griffin Park. They paid us a lot of respect and didn’t let us get any tempo in the game.”
Meanwhile, Lamouchi was pleased to see his side extend their run and collect three points at a notoriously difficult ground to visit.
“It was a massive win on a difficult pitch against one of the best teams in the league,” said Lamouchi.
“The players’ attitude, character and personality was perfect. We were lucky to score early on and this changed the game, but to be honest the team deserved this result.
“Nobody a month ago could imagine West Brom and Leeds losing a lot of points. We were so far back and now it is different – you see after just one month.
“There are 17 matches to play and we need to be consistent. We are where we are and the players deserve that.”
Next up for the Bees, an away fixture against 13th place Hull City.
