Nottingham Forest extended their pursuit for a rare top-four finish in the Premier League with a decisive 4-2 victory away against relegation-threatened Ipswich Town. Forest’s win at Portman Road solidified their position in third place with 54 points, five points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand.
The match saw an explosive opening from Forest, starting with defender Nikola Milenkovic scoring in the 35th minute with a powerful volley from close range. Just two minutes later, Anthony Elanga struck with a superb curling shot before quickly adding a second goal, taking advantage of a long pass from Milenkovic to slip the ball under Ipswich’s goalkeeper Alex Palmer. This remarkable three-goal outburst within a mere seven minutes sent Forest into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Ipswich managed to find the back of the net late in the game, willifying the home crowd briefly in the 82nd minute when Jens Cajuste executed a delightful pirouette before scoring. However, any hope of a comeback was swiftly extinguished as substitute Jota Silva scored Forest’s fourth goal just moments later on a fast break. Ipswich’s George Hirst added a consolation goal in stoppage time, but it did little to alter the match’s outcome.
This defeat leaves Ipswich still seeking their first victory of 2025, remaining rooted in the relegation zone, and nine points adrift from safety. Despite the tough circumstances, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna remains hopeful, highlighting a crucial upcoming matchup against 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers as a potential pivot in their relegation battle.
The resilience displayed by Nottingham Forest in the face of challenging opponents reflects their growing confidence as they actively contend for a Champions League spot—a significant achievement for the club. As the season progresses, Forest’s ability to maintain their focus and capitalize on opportunities will be key to their ambitions.
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