´We´ve achieved nothing yet´ – Nuno plays down Forest´s top-four challenge

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is determined to keep his feet on the ground despite a superb first half to the 2024-25 season.

Forest picked up their fifth Premier League away win of the campaign, as goals from Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga sealed a 2-0 victory at Brentford, who suffered their first home league defeat of the season.

Victory at the Gtech Community Stadium lifts Nuno’s charges onto 31 points, three clear of Aston Villa in fifth, as they are confirmed a top-four place for Christmas.

After 17 games, it is the earliest Forest have attained 30+ points in a top-flight season since finishing third in 1987-88 (14th game).

Following the win at Brentford, scorer Aina labelled the move into the top four as a “dream”, with some Forest fans eyeing up a possible push for Europe in the second half of the campaign.

Forest have not competed in European competition since their appearance in the UEFA Cup in 1995-96, and despite their status as a ‘surprise package’ in the race for Europe this season, Nuno insisted it is not his immediate focus.

“I think we competed really well. We work very hard every day, so the boys should be happy and proud,” he told BBC Sport.

Oh what fun it is to see Forest win away. pic.twitter.com/5Ogz9ow5Oq

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 21, 2024

“The fans are happy. Now we go back to Nottingham and prepare for our next game. It’s about enjoying the moment. It’s a very hard competition. Every game is so difficult and the next one is going to be very tough.

“We’re very proud of all the things we’ve been able to achieve, but we’ve achieved nothing yet.

“It’s not about the table. It’s about improving, realising there is still a long way to go, and that we’ve achieved nothing yet. It’s not about the table. It’s about improving.”

Brentford, meanwhile, lost their first home league game of the season, having previously lost at home on the final day of last season against Newcastle United (2-4). Indeed, it is just the third time they have failed to score at home in the league in 2024 after goalless draws with Brighton in April and Fulham in May.

Despite the frustration of seeing their unbeaten run ended, Thomas Frank refused to be negative in his post-match comments, noting he thought the hosts deserved something from the game in the closing stages.

“I thought we performed well, if I’m honest. I thought we were on top in a lot of moments, but we had more dangerous moments without having clear-cut chances,” he said.

“Defensively, it was probably our best performance of the season. Of course, we have conceded two goals, but that’s different. The second goal is obviously a mistake. The first one we can do better too, no doubt about that.”