LONDON - Nottingham Forest’s dream season continued as they reached their highest league position in more than 30 years as a 2-0 victory at Everton lifted them into second place, reported PA Media/dpa news.
Chris Wood’s 11th league goal of the season set them on their way and Morgan Gibbs-White capped another impressive performance with the second as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side leapfrogged Chelsea and Arsenal after a fifth successive win.
Not since October 1994 have the two-time European champions been this high in the table and while the two London clubs can respond over the next couple of days, the visiting fans afforded themselves a tongue-in-cheek ‘We’re going to win the league’ chant having defeated both Merseyside clubs this season’.
Thirty years ago they eventually finished third and with 33-year-old Wood enjoying something of a renaissance at the tail-end of his career, Gibbs-White pulling the strings so effectively and a miserly defence which has conceded just 19 in as many games, it is not so fanciful to think they could repeat the feat.
What is truly remarkable is these two teams were in a similar position 12 months ago, having both had points deductions under profitability and sustainability rules, but Forest have shown what can be achieved with canny recruitment and organisation sprinkled with a little bit of stardust.
Everton ended 2023 a point above the relegation zone after three successive league defeats, while Forest were only a point better off. They finished the campaign 17th and 15th respectively. - BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa