Goals from Gibbs-White, Wood and Awoniyi ease Nuno’s side to SIXTH consecutive win
Nottingham Forest extended their remarkable Premier League form with a commanding 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood, and Taiwo Awoniyi ensured Forest’s sixth consecutive league triumph, lifting them level on points with Arsenal and just six behind leaders Liverpool. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side now sits third in the table, with their sights firmly set on the top.
Forest Strike Early
The match started with Forest showcasing their trademark counter-attacking brilliance. It took only seven minutes for Morgan Gibbs-White to silence the Molineux crowd. The former Wolves midfielder, jeered by his old fans, played a neat one-two with Anthony Elanga before slotting a deflected finish into the bottom-right corner.
Morgan at Molineux. pic.twitter.com/n64vLRPvvz
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 7, 2025
Wolves had opportunities to equalize soon after, but a combination of poor finishing and brilliant defending kept them at bay. Jørgen Strand Larsen missed a golden chance, directing his effort straight at Murillo despite having the goal at his mercy. Moments later, Rodrigo Gomes tested Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels with a powerful volley, but the Belgian stood firm.
Wood Doubles the Advantage
As Wolves pushed for an equalizer, Forest ruthlessly capitalized on the counter-attack. Just before halftime, Callum Hudson-Odoi made a surging run down the left flank and delivered a perfect cutback for Chris Wood. The striker calmly swept the ball past José Sá for his 12th Premier League goal of the season, giving Forest a commanding 2-0 lead at the break.
New year, same Woody. pic.twitter.com/Fy6zxGqSOZ
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 7, 2025
Halftime statistics painted a clear picture of the game. Wolves dominated possession but failed to convert their chances, while Forest were clinical with the few opportunities they created. Historical trends further highlighted the challenge for Wolves: Forest had never dropped points from a 2-0 halftime lead since September 2022, and Wolves hadn’t overturned such a deficit since January 2020.
Sels Shines as Forest Seal Victory
The second half saw Wolves continue their efforts to claw back into the game, but Forest’s defensive solidity proved unbreakable. Matz Sels was the standout performer, denying Strand Larsen’s header and later tipping away a powerful shot after an impressive link-up between the Wolves striker and Gonçalo Guedes.
In stoppage time, Forest put the game beyond doubt with a third goal. Hudson-Odoi’s clever pass found James Ward-Prowse, who selflessly squared the ball for Taiwo Awoniyi. The Nigerian forward made no mistake, tapping into an empty net for his first goal of the season.
A goal that meant a lot to Taiwo. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jZU80OtSx9
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 7, 2025
The final whistle confirmed Forest’s dominance and extended their winning streak to six matches—the longest in the Premier League this season.
Wolves’ Missed Opportunities
Vítor Pereira, in his first defeat as Wolves manager, lamented his side’s inability to capitalize on chances. The absence of suspended talisman Matheus Cunha was evident as Wolves struggled to find a clinical edge in the final third.
Strand Larsen, who rescued a point for Wolves in their previous 2-2 draw with Tottenham, had a day to forget. The Norwegian spurned multiple chances, including a header from close range that was parried away by Sels. Wolves’ inability to convert opportunities proved costly, as Forest punished their defensive lapses.
Wolves remain 17th in the table, just outside the relegation zone on goal difference. Pereira now faces a critical run of fixtures, beginning with an FA Cup tie against Bristol City before a daunting league clash with Newcastle United.
A Historic Day for Forest
Monday’s win was particularly special for Nottingham Forest, as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough’s appointment as manager. Clough, one of football’s most legendary figures, led Forest to two European Cup triumphs and numerous domestic trophies. The victory was a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy.
Forest’s current six-game winning streak is their best in the top flight
The last time Nottingham Forest won six consecutive top-flight matches was in the 1966/67 season pic.twitter.com/Dz5i8gF43A
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 6, 2025
since May-September 1979, when they won seven consecutive matches under Clough. It’s also their first such run within a single season since 1966/67. With Nuno Espírito Santo at the helm, Forest fans are beginning to dream of a return to glory days.
Key Match Stats
- Forest’s six consecutive Premier League wins are the longest winning run by any team in the competition this season.
- Nuno Espírito Santo’s side has kept nine clean sheets in the Premier League this season, the most of any team.
- Wolves failed to score at Molineux for the first time in 12 matches, dating back to April 2024.
What the Managers Said
Vítor Pereira (Wolves):
“You can say that we were unlucky, but we created chances to score. Forest are a physically strong team and very fast on the counter-attack. They punished our mistakes. We need to improve our decision-making in the box to convert more of our opportunities.”
Nuno Espírito Santo (Forest):
“It feels good. The players worked very hard, and Matz Sels was amazing to keep us in the game. Wolves had chances, but we stayed compact and punished them on the counter. We need to stay humble and keep working. There’s still a long way to go.”
Next Premier League Fixtures
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- 15 Jan: Newcastle United (A)
- 20 Jan: Chelsea (A)
- 25 Jan: Arsenal (H)
Nottingham Forest
- 14 Jan: Liverpool (H)
- 19 Jan: Southampton (H)
- 25 Jan: Bournemouth (A)
Forest in the Title Race
With 40 points from 20 matches, Nottingham Forest are now level with Arsenal in second place and just six points behind league leaders Liverpool. The upcoming fixture against Liverpool at home could be pivotal in shaping Forest’s title aspirations. If they continue their current form, the Tricky Trees may well establish themselves as serious contenders in the Premier League race.
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