Brentford vs Forest player ratings: Ouattara shines as Milenković struggles

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Dango Ouattara and Igor Thiago stand out in our Brentford vs Forest player ratings after the Bees won 2-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Ouattara created the opening goal with a low cross that Nikola Milenković turned into his own net. Thiago’s second-half effort also took a deflection off the Forest defender, completing a difficult afternoon for the visitors.

Brentford’s centre-backs made important interventions, while Forest struggled to convert their promising positions into clear opportunities and accurate finishes.

See our confirmed line-ups and Brentford’s official match report for the selections and match details.

All marks are out of 10. NR means not rated.

Brentford player ratings

Caoimhín Kelleher — 7: Alert when required, particularly when gathering at Delap’s feet. Forest did not test him often enough, but he dealt with the important moments.

Michael Kayode — 7: Part of a defensive unit that restricted Forest’s clear chances. A useful contribution to a clean sheet built on collective discipline.

Kristoffer Ajer — 8: Produced an important block against Delap. His intervention helped ensure Forest’s promising attacking positions did not become an equaliser.

Sepp van den Berg — 8: Stopped efforts from Gibbs-White and Kalimuendo. Repeatedly made himself a barrier when Forest threatened to turn possession into something more dangerous.

Keane Lewis-Potter — 7: Helped release Schade in an attacking move and contributed to Brentford’s defensive security. A productive performance on both sides of the ball.

Vitaly Janelt — 7: Played his part in a midfield that helped protect Brentford’s lead. Forest found too little space to build sustained pressure through the centre.

Mamadou Sangaré — 6: Sent an early volley over and worked hard without the ball. His passing was less reliable than his defensive effort.

Mathias Jensen — 7: Created an opening for Thiago and struck the crossbar with a free-kick. Provided quality in a match short of fluent attacking football.

Dango Ouattara — 8: Beat Murillo and delivered the low cross that forced the own goal. His direct contribution supplied the breakthrough Brentford needed.

Igor Thiago — 8: Scored the second with help from a deflection and contributed defensively, clearing a Gibbs-White header. Important at both ends of the pitch.

Kevin Schade — 6: Offered an outlet and was involved in the move that brought Jensen’s dangerous free-kick. Less decisive than Brentford’s other starting forwards.

Brentford substitutes

Aaron Hickey — 7: His switch of play helped start the move for the second goal. A useful contribution as Brentford sought to finish the match.

Mikkel Damsgaard — 6: Helped Brentford through the closing stages after replacing Jensen. The more decisive attacking impact came from the other introductions.

Jaidon Anthony — 7: Controlled Hickey’s pass and supplied Thiago for the second goal. Made a clear difference after coming off the bench.

Callum Wilson — NR: Replaced Schade late on, with the result already moving firmly in Brentford’s favour.

Nottingham Forest player ratings

Matz Sels — 6: Both goals involved deflections off Milenković. Difficult to place much responsibility on the goalkeeper for either of Brentford’s decisive moments.

Nikola Milenković — 4: Turned Ouattara’s delivery into his own goal and later deflected Thiago’s shot in. Also booked during an afternoon that repeatedly went against him.

Murillo — 5: Pressured Thiago into missing one chance, but was beaten by Ouattara before the opening goal. That duel proved particularly costly.

Jair Cunha — 6: Not directly responsible for either goal. Had a fleeting opportunity from a Williams delivery but could not turn it into a finish.

Ola Aina — 5: Replaced at half-time as Forest attempted to change the game. His first-half contribution did not provide the influence the visitors required.

James McAtee — 6: Among Forest’s more willing shooters, with one effort narrowly wide. His later attempt was comfortable for Kelleher, reflecting the visitors’ finishing difficulties.

Xaver Schlager — 5: Another player withdrawn at the interval. Forest needed greater authority and attacking support from midfield than they produced in the first half.

Neco Williams — 7: Supplied several of Forest’s more promising deliveries. His crossing and set-pieces offered a route back into the game that teammates could not exploit.

Morgan Gibbs-White — 6: Had efforts blocked or cleared and supplied Yates with a good headed opportunity. Involved in the threats Forest did create.

Dan Ndoye — 5: Could not provide the decisive attacking contribution Forest needed. Replaced as the visitors changed their forward options during the second half.

Liam Delap — 5: Found Ajer and Kelleher in his way at important moments. Forest’s search for a reliable finishing threat continued after his withdrawal.

Nottingham Forest substitutes

Daniel Muñoz — 6: Introduced at half-time but could not help turn Forest’s possession into a goal.

Ryan Yates — 5: Had a clear headed opportunity from Gibbs-White’s delivery and put it over. An important chance to change the game.

Arnaud Kalimuendo — 5: Saw an effort blocked by Van den Berg. Unable to provide the breakthrough after replacing Ndoye.

Chris Wood — 5: Added a different presence up front without changing Forest’s lack of a finishing touch.

Brentford vs Forest player ratings: player of the match

Dango Ouattara. Thiago and both centre-backs deserve recognition, but Ouattara produced the individual attacking action that broke the deadlock. His ability to beat his defender gave Brentford an advantage they protected well.

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