Surprise Forest fire extinguishes dull Brentford to frustrate Andrews

Bees v Tricky Trees

BRENTFORD 0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2

Flat, loose, a lack of vibrancy and colour.

It turned out to be one of those days for Brentford.

The Bees remain at relatively soaring Premier League altitude – but there was nothing remotely high about this display, as they slumped to surprising home defeat against resourceful Nottingham Forest.

A goal in each half, from Igor Jesus and another, late on by substitute Taiwo Awoniyi, were examples of a Forest outfit, largely under duress, taking their opportunities when they arose. The visitors’ organisation at the Gtech was outstanding, just as Brentford’s incapability in front of goal was rather out of character for once.

For the Bees, though, they sit eighth in the table and there should be no lasting damage. Occasionally, there are inexplicable afternoons where both mood and events seem to intangibly run away from you. Regrettably for Brentford, this was to be the case.

A temporary jolt to an otherwise fine home record which has been central to their excellent league progress under Keith Andrews. The Bees’ chief now has to pick his players up for their next two outings, away from home to Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Despite losing at Chelsea in a west London derby last week, amid an impressive display which failed to yield at least a point, Brentford had good reason to feel heartened ahead of a troubled Forest’s visit. Only Manchester City had beaten them at the Gtech.

“I felt we could have done more”, admitted Andrews afterwards. “Equally, they (Forest) had two shots on target and got the three points.

‘Frustrating’

“It was really frustrating. We have to be ruthless and clinical in moments at this level. I don’t want us to be a team that pats ourselves on the back.

“The team gave absolutely everything but we weren’t taking our opportunities. We didn’t conjure up enough in the final third”.

An increasingly animated Forest boss Sean Dyche watched Brentford wilt in the face of his team’s aggression. With the Gtech curiously subdued by normal match day standards, Forest were content to defend in two banks of four, organised well by Nikola Milenkovic, restricting the Bees’ opportunist bursts in the final third.

As much as Andrews was vexed by his opponents, industrious Forest should be commended for their rear guard discipline, expertly protecting their lead. Stifling the creativity of Mathis Jensen, the pace of Kevin Schade and the predatory instincts of Thiago, was central to their win.

“I’m pleased obviously with the result, said Dyche. “I was pleased with the first half in particular. We looked great. We had to be defensively organised in the second half.

“The resilience has improved and we’ve taken a point against the league leaders (Arsenal) recently. We want everyone’s noses pointed in the right direction. I’m delighted for the players”.

The odd shout for a penalty aside, Brentford lacked the genuine threat and cutting edge which has seen off better sides, such as Liverpool, Villa and Newcastle this term.

Forest came to the capital struggling to escape the drop zone and with West Ham breathing down their necks, they didn’t show it. The east Midlands side – returning from midweek Europa League defeat against Braga in Portugal – were expertly organised and, crucially took their rare chances when they appeared.

They stunned the Bees by going in front in style after just 12 minutes.

Technique

Picking up an assist from the right, Jesus managed to control the ball, swivelled in front of Nathan Collins, before lashing an instant, angled volley into the corner of the net from close range. A piece of fabulous technique.

It didn’t help the luckless hosts that they were hit by twin injuries within a minute of each other in the first half. Both Mikel Damsgaard and Kristoffer Ajer picked up knee and ankle injuries respectively, which required lengthy treatment. Dango Ouattara and Sepp Van Den Berg replaced the pair after 37 minutes.

Ouattara was denied straight away by Forest keeper Matz Sels, in one of few clear cut chances for Brentford.

In-form hit man Thiago, meanwhile, chose this day to be rather out of sorts. The striker is hoping to feature as a late wild card for Brazil’s World Cup squad this summer, but found himself both well policed by Forest stopper Murillo, and failed to hit the target with a 76^th minute shot when the ball dropped invitingly from a corner.

Having weathered the west Londoners’ unconvincing version of dominance, the killer second goal, when it arrived with ten minutes to go, was a surprising – and most welcome – scrap of fortune for Forest.

A terrific run down the left by Awoniyi from a speculative pass by Morgan Gibbs-White opened up space – and the forward easily slipped past Van Den Berg before tucking the ball under Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher in very composed fashion.

That was enough to end the Bees’ efforts and secure the points. Andrews will quickly move on from this obvious disappointment, an outlier. Dyche, on the other hand, saw a team which answered his own questions at the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Bees: Kelleher, Kayode (Lewis-Potter 81), Ajer (Van Den Berg 37), Collins, Henry (Hickey 66), Yarmolyuk (Henderson 81), Janelt, Jensen, Damsgaard (Ouattara 37), Schade, Thiago

Attendance: 17,134