Nuno Espirito Santo remains calm and focused following Nottingham Forest’s impressive 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, which marked their sixth consecutive win. The result at Molineux was especially meaningful, falling on the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough’s appointment as the club’s manager. Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood, and Taiwo Awoniyi were the goal-scorers for Forest, with goalkeeper Matz Sels playing a key role with some vital saves.
This win leaves Forest level on points with second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League, and just six points behind leaders Liverpool. Next, Nuno’s team will shift their focus to an FA Cup clash against Luton Town on Saturday, before facing Arne Slot’s side in the league. Here’s a look at Nuno’s thoughts after the victory over Wolves.
On the match, Nuno said, “I wouldn’t describe it as a fantastic performance, but it was a solid one. We started really well and were fortunate to score early, which helped us settle into the game. Wolves responded, but Matz made some critical saves to keep us in it. We then managed to score again and controlled the second half. We maintained good momentum, created chances, and played some nice football. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a strong result thanks to the players’ hard work.”
Looking ahead to their FA Cup tie against Luton, Nuno stressed the importance of the competition, saying, “The FA Cup is a big chance for us. It’s not just about competing in the tournament but also about giving players minutes and ensuring they stay match-fit. The season is long, and we’ll need everyone to contribute, so we’ll focus on Luton first.”
Reflecting on Forest’s position in the league and the significance of Clough’s anniversary, Nuno shared, “Brian Clough’s legacy is everywhere at the club—his influence can be seen in the stadium, the training ground, and in the hearts of the fans. It’s something that inspires us all. However, we must continue to focus on our own journey. What really matters is the way the players work together, and that’s what makes us proud.”
On Morgan Gibbs-White scoring against his former club, Nuno remarked, “Morgan’s goals are always important, and this one against Wolves clearly meant a lot to him. He has a deep respect for his time there, but now he’s with us, and we need him to keep performing. His talent is vital to us.”
Discussing Taiwo Awoniyi’s first goal of the season, Nuno added, “It’s a massive boost for his confidence. The way his teammates celebrated with him shows how happy they are for him. He’s been working really hard, and we’re delighted to see him get his reward. He’s a great guy, and this goal will only help him.”
On Danilo’s return from injury and his involvement with the squad, Nuno explained, “We’ve been talking about Danilo’s recovery. While we don’t want to rush things, it was important for him to travel with the squad and get back into the rhythm of matchdays. He’ll be part of the team against Luton, and we’ll see if he’s ready to play. Ibrahim Sangaré is also recovering, and we need all players available. It’s been great to have Danilo around—his positive energy and smile are a boost for the group.”
Asked about the Premier League table, Nuno responded, “I’m not concerned with the table at the moment. I’ll look at it at the end of the season, once the final match is played.”
On England’s new manager, Thomas Tuchel, attending the game, Nuno commented, “It’s fantastic when players have the ambition to play for their national teams. It pushes them to improve individually. Callum (Hudson-Odoi) and Morgan both did well, and if Thomas was watching, maybe he was assessing our players. If any of them get called up, that’s fantastic. We want all our players to reach the highest level and represent their countries.”
