Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo hailed Nottingham Forest’s resilience and resolve as they made it three wins in a row with a 2-0 triumph away to Brentford.
Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga scored the goals to secure the three points and inflict a first home defeat on the Bees. But it also took a fine defensive performance for the Reds to clinch victory, with Morato coming in for his first start as Nuno switched to three at the back.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels played his part with some important saves, including a superb stop to thwart Kristoffer Ajer in the second half. And as Forest’s incredible season shows no signs of stopping, they will spend Christmas in the Premier League’s top four. Below is a look at what Nuno had to say after the final whistle.
On the result and performance…
“It was a good performance. We started the game well, realising that Brentford are very strong at home and have a good record in the first minutes of games. The team was mature enough to understand that and be stable and compact. And then we tried to have control of the game, which isn’t always easy.
“There was a spell in the second half where we were on the ropes. But we were resilient in that moment and had a bit of luck with the save from Matz.
“After that, it was about staying in the game and always having the ambition to have the threat of the counterattack. That didn’t happen, basically because Brentford are so good and didn’t allow us to do that. But I’m very proud of the way we worked today.”
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Premier League
On starting with a back three…
“This shape we have been using regularly, especially in the final moments of games. We also went to this shape in the second half against (Manchester) City.
“It is about building and trying to find solutions. In this league you are going to come up against different opponents; you have to realise that first you cannot ignore that and then you have to adapt.”
On Elanga scoring for a second successive game…
“It was important for us. Last week (scoring against Aston Villa) was very good and today also, not only with the goal but with the way he was a threat and helped the team.
“We have to realise that everybody must step in and help the team. What we are doing together is more important than anything.”
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On Morato making his first start…
“I think he did OK. Our three centre halves complement each other very well.
“He is a good solution for us. He has been showing that from the bench. He showed that he is ready to start and help the team - like everyone in the squad is.
“It is not important who starts. It doesn’t matter if you only play one minute, if you have an impact we will be happy.”
On how Forest can get even better…
“There is still a lot of room for improvement. Since we arrived our message was that it isn’t about the table, it is about improving the players and the team and finding solutions.
“We haven’t achieved anything yet. There is still a very long way to go, starting with a very hard game against Tottenham on Boxing Day.”
On stopping Brentford from scoring…
“We had luck with the save of Matz. Credit to him, it was a great save and it can change everything with that moment.
“We must be fair and realise that Brentford had a tough cycle this week. Our players coming from the bench brought some energy, whereas for them it is a tough cycle to play three games in such a short period so we also had a little bit of luck with that.”
On Sels’ form this season…
“He has been huge for us. He has been helping the team with these moments he has.
“He has been stable and gives confidence to the team. Long may it continue because that is what we need from our goalkeeper. Starting from the back, everything can be much better.”
On the Reds’ impressive record on the road…
“It says a lot about the way we are working. Since the beginning we realised there were so many things to improve - and there still are.
“I’m very proud of the players. I see them working every day. We push them and demand a lot of them because we want to compete well and make things right.”
On the midfield pairing of Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White...
“They did well. We finished the last game the same way and they did OK.
“It is about the balance and realising that if one goes, the other has to stay. They are mature enough and have good knowledge of the game, even though they are very young.
“We knew we had (Ryan) Yates and (Nicolas) Dominguez to come in. Morgan and Elliot started, and then Yates and Nicolas finished because they were exhausted.”
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