The Incredible Rise of Nottingham Forest: Premier League 24/25
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest have undergone a sensational turnaround in form this season as they sit third on goal difference in the Premier League playing just over half of their games.
Historic wins at Anfield and Old Trafford over Liverpool and Manchester United along the way has seen the East Midlands side climb to within six points of Arne Slot’s Liverpool, as they look to do a league double over the Reds for the first time since 1963, when they face each other next week.
Should they carry on this excellent run of form they have been on, they could eclipse their best ever league finish in 30 years, when Frank Clark’s side finished third in their first season after promotion back to the top-flight in 1994, albeit this was a 42-game season.
Last season, Forest ensured survival on the final day at the expense of Luton Town, and with their current six-game winning streak in the league, they have surpassed their points total in 2023/24, collecting 32 points compared to 40 in 2024/25 so far.
*Forest were deducted four points for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules in 2023/24.
Here are three reasons why they have been impressive this season.
Chris Wood’s Stellar Form
Chris Wood has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest since signing from Newcastle in January 2023, initially joining on loan before his move was made permanent.
The New Zealand international scored 14 goals for Forest last term as the club survived the drop, including a brace against Burnley on the last day.
However this season his 12 goals in the league have fired Forest to new heights, rubbing shoulders with the best attackers in the division with only Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, Bryan Mbeumo and Cole Palmer scoring more times than him this season.
Finding the back of the net is not an issue for Wood as this marks the sixth season where he has scored double figures in the Premier League. With his goal versus Manchester United making him the outright all-time leading Premier League goalscorer for Forest.
During this sensational league run the club are embarking on, Wood, who has been ever-present this season has scored on three occasions, netting in his last two against Everton and Wolves.
There is still enough time for him to add to his goal tally.
Solid At The Back
The arrival of Serbian international defender Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina for a reported £12 million fee is another example of Forest’s current success domestically and the drastic improvement at the back.
Milenkovic and centre-back partner Murillo have attributed to Forest’s defensive dominance, conceding just 19 goals, the joint-second least in the whole league, with both only missing one game this season. For reference, in 2023/24 only four teams conceded more goals.
Meanwhile, the performances of Neco Williams and Ola Aina at left and right-back has given Forest room to attack the width of the pitch whilst also denying chances for their opponents defensively. Aina has also been able to get on the scoresheet on two occasions.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels has also stood out, arriving from Strasbourg in the last January transfer window. The Belgium international, has played every minute in the league this season, where he has kept nine clean sheets, with four of these coming in their last four matches.
Winning Home and Away
Since the club’s promotion back to the top-flight in 2022, the City Ground has been the catalyst to the club’s Premier League survival. Prior to this season, Forest had picked up 50 points over the last two seasons on home soil.
Although their away form slightly improved over the previous two seasons, points at home regressed, until now. So far, the City Ground has seen the 3-0 drubbing of West Ham, a late comeback victory over Aston Villa and a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Boxing Day.
Wins have been in plenty of supply for Nottingham Forest, winning 12 out of their 20 league games, more than Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. Espirito Santo’s side also sit 16 points ahead of his former employers Tottenham.
Surprisingly, the away form has made a massive difference, collecting three points on seven occasions, which is more than the last two seasons combined, a testament to the job Nuno Espirito Santo has done to change the club’s fortunes in a year.
What Forest have done in the last few weeks is remarkable, from the Championship to the Champions League, could they do the unthinkable?