Ouattara’s run created the opening goal
In the 30th minute, Dango Ouattara moved beyond Murillo and crossed towards the six-yard box. Nikola Milenkovic could not clear safely and turned the ball into his own net.
Forest had 58 per cent possession and tried to respond through longer spells around Brentford’s area. Brentford stayed compact and looked for space when the visitors’ full-backs moved forward.
The match remained close despite the scoreline
Forest led the shot count 15-7 and the expected-goals total 0.85-0.46, but each team recorded only one effort on target. Mathias Jensen hit the bar for Brentford in the 36th minute, while Ryan Yates missed a useful chance in the 54th.
Those numbers explain why the second goal mattered. Forest had territory but not enough clean finishes, while Brentford continued to threaten when one direct pass took several opponents out of the move.
| Match statistic | Brentford | Nottingham Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 2 | 0 |
| Possession | 42% | 58% |
| Shots | 7 | 15 |
| Shots on target | 1 | 1 |
| Expected goals | 0.46 | 0.85 |
Thiago settled the contest in the 76th minute
Aaron Hickey and Jaidon Anthony combined before Thiago’s shot took a deflection off Milenkovic and went in via the crossbar. The move gave Brentford a two-goal cushion without requiring a long period of possession.
Forest continued to move the ball forward, but Brentford protected the centre and did not allow a clear route back into the match. Their defensive distances remained stronger than the visitors’ final pass.
Brentford climb as Forest’s scoring problem continues
The win moved Brentford to sixth place on 14 points. Forest remain nineteenth with six points and only six goals from nine matches.
For Brentford, the anniversary home fixture ended with a controlled result. Forest can point to possession and shot volume, but their priority is converting that activity into attempts that genuinely test the goalkeeper.