Forest obliterate Brentford! Wood’s double leads City Ground carnage

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nottingham Forest roared into the 2025/26 Premier League season with a jaw-dropping 3-1 demolition of Brentford at a pulsating City Ground, leaving fans in a frenzy and the Bees shell-shocked.

Chris Wood’s lethal double and a dream debut strike from Dan Ndoye sent Forest soaring, while Brentford’s late penalty from Igor Thiago was a mere footnote in a match that showcased Nuno Espírito Santo’s Reds as a force to be reckoned with.

From the first whistle, Forest tore into Brentford like a pack of wolves, with the City Ground erupting as Wood pounced on a sloppy clearance to smash home the opener just six minutes in.

The Reds were relentless, their high-octane press leaving Brentford’s defense in tatters.

The onslaught continued as debutant Ndoye, the £19m signing from Bologna, sent the crowd into delirium with a diving header in the 41st minute, latching onto a laser-guided cross from Morgan Gibbs-White.

Moments later, Elliot Anderson carved open Brentford’s backline with a sublime pass, allowing Wood to dance past Caoimhin Kelleher and slot home his second.

Brentford, led by rookie boss Keith Andrews, looked like deer in headlights against Forest’s ferocious tempo.

Their only first-half chance came when Yehor Yarmoliuk’s shot was clawed away by Matz Sels, but it was a rare moment of resistance.

A second-half penalty in the 75th minute, converted by Thiago after a contentious handball call on Ibrahim Sangaré, gave Brentford a glimmer of hope, but it was snuffed out by Forest’s iron-clad defense, led by Nikola Milenković and Murillo.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s tactical brilliance was the talk of the town, with Forest’s blend of blistering attack and steely defense earning rave reviews

This thrashing marks Forest’s first opening-weekend win since 2017, sending shockwaves through the Premier League.