Football

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.

Chris Wood's brace propelled Nottingham Forest to a resounding 3-1 victory over Leicester City in a thrilling East Midlands derby at the King Power Stadium. The New Zealand striker's goals condemned his former manager, Steve Cooper, to defeat in his first encounter with Forest since his dismissal in December.Forest seized the initiative early on, with Ryan Yates capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Leicester to curl a low strike into the bottom corner. However, the Foxes responded swiftly, with Jamie Vardy equalizing from close range after a teasing cross from Harry Winks.The second half witnessed a flurry of action, with Wood restoring Forest's lead with a deft finish after controlling Elliot Anderson's pass. Leicester's appeals for a penalty were waved away, and Wood punished their poor defending once more, heading home a long punt from Matz Sels.The victory marked Forest's second consecutive win and lifted them into fifth place in the Premier League standings. They have lost just once in nine league games this season, vindicating their decision to replace Cooper with Nuno Espirito Santo.Cooper, who spent two years in charge of Forest, guiding them back to the Premier League after a 23-year absence, expressed disappointment with his team's performance. "It's self-inflicted, no doubt about that," he said. "We made poor mistakes for the goals."Nuno, serving the second game of a suspension, watched from the press box as his team secured a memorable victory. "Chris deserves his plaudits," he said. "He's done an amazing job. He's very honest and he gives everything on the pitch for us."

Chelsea's five-match winning streak came to an end on Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge. Noni Madueke's equalizer rescued a point for the Blues after Chris Wood had given Forest an early second-half lead.Despite fielding a changed starting lineup, Chelsea struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half. Forest, on the other hand, looked dangerous on the counterattack and took the lead through Wood's close-range finish.Chelsea responded well to the setback and equalized through Madueke's fine strike in the 57th minute. The hosts pushed for a winner but were unable to break down a resolute Forest defense.Forest's task became even more difficult when James Ward-Prowse was sent off for a second bookable offense in the 78th minute. However, Chelsea failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage and were frustrated by a series of missed chances.The draw leaves Chelsea in fourth place in the Premier League, but it is a setback in their hopes of challenging for the title. Forest, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone but will take heart from their performance against one of the league's top teams.