Nottingham Forest’s remarkable resurgence has propelled them to their highest Premier League position in over two decades. After enduring a turbulent season last year, the two-time European Cup winners have defied expectations to sit third in the standings, just behind leaders Liverpool.
Under the guidance of manager Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest have recorded three consecutive top-flight victories for the first time since 1999. Their impressive run includes a historic win at Anfield, where they stunned Liverpool 1-0.
New Zealand striker Chris Wood has been instrumental in Forest’s success, scoring eight of their 14 Premier League goals this season. The 32-year-old has netted 22 times in 30 league starts since joining from Newcastle in 2023.
Forest’s defense has also been solid, with goalkeeper Matz Sels keeping the most clean sheets in the league this season. Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic has formed a formidable partnership with Brazilian Murillo at the heart of the backline.
Nuno’s arrival has been a catalyst for Forest’s resurgence. Despite his previous struggles at Tottenham and Wolves, the Portuguese coach has silenced the doubters and proven to be a shrewd appointment.
The club’s volatile owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has also played a role in Forest’s success. Despite a recent five-game ban for spitting towards officials, Marinakis’ ambition to grow the club has created a positive environment.
The imminent arrival of Edu, who left Arsenal as sporting director, is a testament to Marinakis’ commitment to improving the club. Forest are now dreaming of European competition for the first time since 1995-96.
However, Nuno remains focused on the present and demands even more from his players. “We have to recognize there are a lot of mistakes being made that we have to correct,” he said. “Keeping on track is what we have to do.”
Forest face a challenging run of fixtures before the turn of the year, including trips to Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United. But their impressive start to the season suggests they are capable of holding their own against the league’s top teams.
