Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo says his side’s lofty Premier League position means nothing at the moment.
Forest soared to their highest league position in 26 years after they beat 10-man West Ham 3-0 at the City Ground.
Goals from Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina saw off a ragged Hammers team, who had Edson Alvarez sent off, to take Forest third in the Premier League.
We’re cooking. 👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/ugEUckpiYQ
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) November 2, 2024
Not since August 1998, when a 2-1 win over Southampton left Dave Bassett’s side second in the standings, have they sat so high.
But in his typical pragmatic style, Nuno was keen to temper expectations.
“You know me already. Now I’m thinking about Tuesday and the next training session,” the Portuguese said.
“This is what is important, you know better than me, it doesn’t mean anything now.
“We just have to keep going, keep going, keep going. It’s a very long season ahead, every player is going to be needed.
“It is a positive moment. We worked very hard this week, this is what we are focused on. We have to work and work hard and improve much more.
“Nothing has changed since the beginning, we have to keep on going. Believe me, there is no other way. If you get distracted, football doesn’t forgive you.
“I think the longer the team is together, the better the players will know each other, the options we have coming back, the group should be stronger and as time goes by the bond will grow.
“This is my belief.”
While Forest might be dreaming of a top-six challenge, that looks a long way off for West Ham, who failed to build on last week’s win over Manchester United.
Boss Julen Lopetegui said Alvarez’s red card on the stroke of half-time, which came for a second yellow card after a rash tackle on Anthony Elanga, was the pivotal moment of the game.
The Spaniard refused to point the finger at his midfielder.
“It was one contact we felt was not dangerous because we had a lot of players in our box,” he said.
“The little details in the Premier League are key, the big details are much more key, we have to improve in this kind of decision for sure. He knows.
“It is not a moment to talk about one player. I am responsible in front of all of them, we have to use this bad moment in the dressing room to push us forward, looking at the next challenge.
“It’s not a moment to say, ‘Your fault, your fault’, it is a moment to stay together. The players know they can choose better and they have to do better in this moment.”
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
