N Forest 1 – 0 Ipswich

Chris Wooden turned Nottingham Forest’s joint-top aim scorer within the Premier League along with his second-half penalty incomes them a 1-0 dwelling win over Ipswich.

The New Zealand worldwide hammered dwelling from the spot within the forty ninth minute to equal Bryan Roy’s membership report of 24 targets within the competitors.

Wooden’s ninth league aim of the season – solely Erling Haaland (12) and Mohamed Salah (10) have scored extra – returned Forest to successful methods as they moved as much as sixth within the desk, degree on factors with fifth-placed Chelsea.

Ipswich twice got here near a first-half opener as Forest defender Ola Aina cleared a Cameron Burgess header off the road within the twenty third minute earlier than Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels saved nicely from an Omari Hutchinson shot 10 minutes later.

However Forest began the second half rapidly and have been rewarded with a penalty when Sammie Szmodics introduced down Jota Silva, and Wooden then smashed the house facet forward.

Ipswich, who wanted a fantastic Arijanet Muric save from Murillo’s header to not fall additional behind, did not mount a comeback in an underwhelming second-half efficiency as they managed only one shot on course.

Defeat for Kieran McKenna’s facet ends their three-game unbeaten run and leaves them within the relegation zone as they slip to second backside.

Great Wooden retains up red-hot kind

Since Nuno’s first Premier League recreation in command of Nottingham Forest – December 23, 2023 – Chris Wooden (20) is considered one of solely three gamers to attain not less than 20 Premier League targets, together with Erling Haaland (25) and Cole Palmer (23).

Nuno: Wooden can break all data for Forest

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno talking at his post-match press convention:

“We’re delighted. Not solely right here, however in New Zealand he’ll break all of the data. They’re there to be damaged, so we’re delighted he retains delivering.”

On whether or not Wooden can proceed within the Premier League for a couple of extra seasons: “I imagine so.

“So long as Chris does it. These days gamers actually maintain themselves, with vitamin, the remainder – it is so necessary and Chris has this ambition to maintain taking part in.

“He has to maintain caring for his physique and his thoughts. He is excellent now and so long as he continues.”

On the clear sheet: “We are saying this time and again, however I really imagine this ought to be our mindset, not solely as a staff or squad, as a membership. We have now to be very laborious to beat.

“We communicate with the gamers about that in the course of the week. We have to return to fundamentals. Let’s be strong. Stable is being aggressive. Sticking to your job, serving to your team-mates.”

McKenna: We have given away a gentle aim

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna talking at his post-match press convention:

“In fact it was an enormous second within the recreation. I’ve not (seen) the angles of the choice again.

“However I feel now we have to personal it and have a look at it and say you may’t lunge in from behind within the penalty space.

“We had the field nicely coated, we had loads of individuals within the body of aim, it isn’t a very threatening state of affairs.

“We should not give the referee the prospect to decide there. It was the decisive second within the recreation.

“The sport did not have plenty of move to it. Neither staff created an terrible lot from open play and we have given away a gentle aim.”

Aina impresses as Forest return to their steely self

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo urged his staff to go “again to fundamentals” earlier than the sport in opposition to Ipswich – and so they definitely did that within the 1-0 win over the Tractor Boys.

Forest returned to their steely self placing the earlier two leaky defeats, which noticed them concede six targets, behind them.

Key to the win over Ipswich was right-back Ola Aina. He made an important goal-line clearance within the first half, whereas no Forest participant made extra tackles, received extra tackles or made extra interceptions than the Nigeria worldwide within the victory.

The 28-year-old’s contract is because of expire on the finish of the season and Forest shall be much more determined to increase his keep on the Metropolis Floor.

Aina’s sturdy show was matched by his fellow defenders as Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo have been centre-back rocks, whereas left-back Neco Williams dealt nicely with the damaging Omari Hutchinson.

Behind them goalkeeper Matz Sels pulled off an excellent save to disclaim Hutchinson.

The clear sheet in opposition to Ipswich is their fifth within the Premier League this season – solely leaders Liverpool have extra (6).

Forest have rediscovered their solidity at an ideal time too with a tough run of video games developing as they go to Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United earlier than internet hosting Aston Villa.

The fundamentals are again to Nuno’s delight.

Story of the match in stats…

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