Brentford vs Nottingham Forest: Thiago seals 2-0 win after Milenković own goal

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Igor Thiago sealed Brentford’s 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest after Nikola Milenković’s own goal put the hosts ahead at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Forest missed opportunities either side of half-time before Thiago struck in the 76th minute, securing Brentford’s third Premier League win of the season.

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest: Ouattara forces the breakthrough

Brentford’s opening goal came on the half-hour. Dango Ouattara beat Murillo on the right and delivered a low cross which Milenković diverted into his own net.

It rewarded the home side after an opening period in which both teams had threatened without finding a finish. Mamadou Sangaré volleyed over following a corner, while Thiago dragged an earlier opportunity wide.

Forest also had their chances. James McAtee carried the ball into a promising position but curled his effort wide, leaving Oliver Glasner’s side without a goal to show for their attacking work.

Brentford almost doubled their advantage before the interval. Milenković fouled Kevin Schade near the edge of the penalty area, and Mathias Jensen’s resulting free-kick struck the crossbar.

Forest waste opportunities to equalise

Glasner introduced Daniel Muñoz and Ryan Yates at half-time, replacing Ola Aina and Xaver Schlager as Forest sought a response.

The visitors threatened soon after the restart, with Caoimhín Kelleher gathering bravely at Liam Delap’s feet. Their clearest opening then fell to Yates, who headed Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross over from close range.

Arnaud Kalimuendo and Chris Wood were also introduced, but Forest continued to struggle to turn their opportunities into a meaningful test of the goalkeeper.

Sepp van den Berg blocked Kalimuendo’s effort, while Thiago helped at the other end by clearing a Gibbs-White header. Brentford protected their lead before finding the second goal that settled the match.

Thiago finishes move involving two substitutes

Keith Andrews’ changes contributed to the decisive goal. Aaron Hickey found Jaidon Anthony on the right, and the winger picked out Thiago inside the penalty area.

The striker’s shot took a deflection off Milenković and went in via the underside of the crossbar, giving Matz Sels no way to prevent Brentford extending their advantage.

It was the finishing touch to Brentford’s 100th Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium. The club’s report records an attendance of 17,108.

Forest’s scoring problems continue

Forest remain on six league goals after nine matches, the lowest total in the division. Their inability to take the chances offered here left them in the bottom three.

Sky Sports’ match report records that Forest did not produce their first shot on target until the 79th minute, when McAtee’s effort was comfortably collected by Kelleher.

Manchester City are their next league opponents. For Brentford, the result provided a response to Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Sunderland and moved them on from last weekend’s draw at Hull.

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest teams

Vitaly Janelt returned from suspension in Brentford’s only change from the starting side used at Hull. He replaced Hickey, who later came off the bench to help create Thiago’s goal.

Our Brentford vs Forest confirmed line-ups covered the selections and the continued absences of Fábio Carvalho and Yehor Yarmoliuk.

Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Sangaré, Jensen; Ouattara, Thiago, Schade.

Nottingham Forest: Sels; Milenković, Murillo, Jair Cunha; Aina, McAtee, Schlager, Williams; Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Delap.

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest match facts

Detail	Information
Result	Brentford 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Half-time	Brentford 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Scorers	Milenković 30 own goal; Thiago 76
Venue	Gtech Community Stadium
Attendance	17,108
Date	Saturday 31 October 2026

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest: key questions

Who scored for Brentford?

Nikola Milenković scored an own goal before Igor Thiago added Brentford’s second.

How many league wins do Brentford have?

This was Brentford’s third Premier League victory of the season.

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