Brentford sting Nottingham Forest's Champions League hopes with clinical triumph

Goals from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa secured the Bees' sixth away win in eight league outings, showcasing their lethal efficiency on the road.

The result left Brentford 11th in the Premier League, just two points behind eighth-placed Fulham, with four games remaining. A top-eight finish could secure a Europa Conference League spot, but manager Thomas Frank urged caution, emphasizing factors beyond their control. "The teams above us need to drop points, and we need Manchester City to win the FA Cup," Frank said post-match. "We can't control everything, but we'll give our all in every game."

Brentford started brightly, nearly taking the lead when Sepp van den Berg's header from Mikkel Damsgaard's free-kick was brilliantly saved by Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels. Despite Forest's attempts to settle, controversy arose when Brentford's Keane Lewis-Potter escaped a second yellow card for a challenge on Anthony Elanga, frustrating the home side.

The Bees capitalized just before half-time when Nathan Collins' long ball caught Forest defender Ola Aina off-guard. Aina's slip allowed Schade to pounce, slotting past Sels for his first goal in nine games.

Forest pushed back after the break, with Elanga forcing a sharp save from Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken. But the Bees struck decisively on the counter in the 70th minute. Flekken's long goal-kick was misjudged by Forest's Nikola Milenkovic, and Wissa raced clear, delicately chipping Sels to double the lead. "It was a beautiful finish," Brentford's official X account posted, celebrating Wissa's composure.

"We were robust and clinical," Frank said, praising his team's defensive solidity and attacking quality. "To come here, keep a clean sheet, and win against a fantastic Forest side is massive." He remained cautious about European prospects, adding, "We're growing, but let's talk Europe in a few games' time."

Brentford's Nathan Collins echoed the ambition, telling Sky Sports, "We want an exceptional season, not just to float mid-table. Our forwards are unstoppable when teams can't handle them." Wissa, reflecting on the win, said, "Game after game, we show what we can do. It's a top performance against a very good team."

For Forest, the defeat marked a third loss in four league games, leaving them sixth and vulnerable in the race for Champions League qualification. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo admitted the performance fell short, saying, "It was a bad night. We struggled defensively, and Brentford made it too easy for themselves." The Tricky Trees, coming off an FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City, failed to test Flekken consistently, with their usually reliable home form faltering at a critical moment.

Brentford now turn their focus to a home clash against Manchester United, followed by trips to Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a pivotal match against Fulham in between. Forest, meanwhile, face Crystal Palace next, desperate to regain momentum.

Reflecting on Brentford's European aspirations, Frank has previously highlighted the challenges, telling Sky Sports earlier this season, "Money talks, but our culture, strategy, and style of play have raised our level." With their dynamic attacking trio of Schade, Wissa, and Bryan Mbeumo, who have combined for 34 Premier League goals this season, the Bees remain a dangerous outfit capable of upsetting the odds.

As the Premier League season nears its climax, Brentford's clinical display at the City Ground has kept their European hopes flickering, while Forest must regroup to salvage their Champions League dreams.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim reveals 'nervous' Man Utd duo and credits senior stars for Bilbao triumph