Forest beat Brentford 3-1 at City Ground

Nottingham Forest start the new season with a 3-1 win over Brentford, highlighted by Ibrahim Sangare’s midfield masterclass and Dan Ndoye’s debut.

Forest midfield comes of age as Sangare shines at City Ground

Nottingham Forest beat Brentford 3-1 at the City Ground, with Chris Wood scoring twice and Dan Ndoye making a confident Premier League debut after replacing Anthony Elanga in the starting XI. Arnaud Kalimuendo has joined Forest, adding to the options up front as the home side showed ambition from the opening whistle. Ndoye’s arrival helped Forest regain a familiar midfield balance as the team pressed with purpose and held a disciplined shape.

Ibrahim Sangare delivered a midfield masterclass that quieted critics. The Ivory Coast international displayed restraint and aggression, making it hard for Brentford to break through. He completed 100% of his tackles, won 83.3% of duels, and, despite conceding a late penalty, largely controlled the rhythm of the game. Sky Sports noted his distribution, showing he sent 25% of his passes forward and 46% sideways to Elliot Anderson, which allowed Forest to push into the final third.

The win signals a practical shift under Nuno Espirito Santo, pairing Sangare as the shield with Ndoye and Anderson stepping into more forward roles. Kalimuendo’s arrival adds depth to Forest’s attack and gives Santo flexible options when the schedule tightens. If Forest sustain this balance, they could become difficult to beat while still pressing for more goals. Yet one strong night does not decide a season; the squad will need consistency and depth to cope with a demanding campaign.

Looking ahead, the key test is whether Forest can maintain this level when the tempo rises. Sangare’s performance suggests he can anchor a more forward-looking style, but the rest of the midfield must grow in tandem and the defense must stay compact. If the club continues to add quality without inflating risk, the early momentum could translate into a genuine push for a solid position this season.

Highlights

Momentum matters, and Forest now faces the task of turning this start into a sustained run