Nottingham Forest’s exceptional season continued with a commanding 3-0 victory over Wolves on Monday, marking manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s triumphant return to Molineux.
First-half goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood set the tone for Forest, who now sit just six points behind league leaders Liverpool. The win also moved Forest level on points with second-placed Arsenal, further solidifying their position as surprise contenders in this season’s Premier League.
Gibbs-White, an England international, made a strong case for further national team recognition with a composed finish from Antony Elanga’s assist in front of newly-appointed England manager Thomas Tuchel. Chris Wood, continuing his red-hot form, scored his 12th goal of the season by converting Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross just before halftime.
Wolves, meanwhile, remain precariously positioned just above the relegation zone on goal difference, suffering their first loss under new boss Vitor Pereira. The absence of their talisman, Matheus Cunha, due to suspension left Wolves lacking firepower as they struggled to break through Forest’s solid defense.
Forest goalkeeper Mats Sels was pivotal in securing the visitors’ ninth clean sheet of the season and fourth in a row, producing a stunning save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen in the second half.
Forest’s unexpected rise from relegation strugglers last season to Champions League contenders has been built on a sturdy defense and Wood’s prolific scoring form. The victory leaves Forest third in the table, five points ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle and six clear of defending champions Manchester City, who sit in sixth.
A top-four finish would guarantee Forest a return to the Champions League for the first time in 45 years. Even fifth place could suffice, depending on the performance of English clubs in European competitions this season.
For manager Nuno Espirito Santo, this success is reminiscent of his transformative spell at Wolves between 2017 and 2021, during which he led the team from the Championship to European competition. After challenging stints at Tottenham and Al-Ittihad, Nuno is rekindling his magic, leaving Forest fans dreaming of an extraordinary campaign.
Forest now looks ahead to their next challenge, a pivotal home clash against league leaders Liverpool.