What Morgan Gibbs-White did as point made and Nottingham Forest case strengthened against Ipswich
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLivePoint proved and three gained, victory over Ipswich Town was telling for Nottingham Forest in more ways than one.
The afternoon was bookmarked by protestations from Reds fans over Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad. What played out in between only strengthened their argument, as well as Forest’s Champions League cause.
From choice verbals about the Three Lions boss to calls of “Real Madrid, we’re coming for you”, the noise from a bouncing away end told its own story. Meanwhile, those in the Garibaldi did their talking on the pitch.
With just nine Premier League games to go now, the finish line - and a glittering prize - is very much in sight for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Europe is tantalisingly close.
When it is time to reflect, the Reds may well look back on this period just before the final international break of the campaign as having been crucial. Below, NottinghamshireLive looks at some of the big talking points from Saturday’s 4-2 triumph at Portman Road.
Proving a point
With not a single Forest player included when Tuchel revealed his selection choices on Friday morning, it took barely a minute for supporters to make it clear what they thought on the matter - and it wasn’t complementary. After that, they set about serenading Morgan Gibbs-White.
“England’s number 10” rang out again when the 25-year-old was substituted amid a standing ovation in the 89th minute. And there was a repeat rendition after the final whistle when players and staff made their way over to acknowledge those who had made the trip.
The man himself gave a clue as to what he thought about it all as he wore a puzzled expression and shrugged his shoulders in response to the chants. Same, Morgan. Same.
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By that point, Gibbs-White had already demonstrated what his country will be missing out on after his surprising exclusion. It wasn’t even his best game for the club, but he was still superb.
If he had wanted to prove a point and send a message, he more than did so. The Reds ace showed his versatility by operating in a deeper role, to great effect, and he finished with an assist by setting up Jota Silva for the visitors’ fourth. It was his 40th Premier League goal involvement for the club.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Elliot Anderson would also hope to have been in the frame for call-ups this time - albeit the latter will link up with the Under-21s. Like Gibbs-White, both were also instrumental in Saturday’s victory and have had fantastic seasons.
No representation in the England squad from the team sitting third in the Premier League table? Extraordinary.
Electric Elanga
Saturday saw plenty of excellent individual performances from Nuno’s men. Aside from Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga should also dominate the headlines after his brilliant showing.
Nikola Milenkovic had set the ball rolling for Forest with a rifled finish in the 35th minute, but it was Elanga’s quickfire brace that really did for Ipswich.
The Sweden international put the visitors firmly in control heading into the interval with two exquisite finishes. His pace and composure were devastating.
Nuno could scarcely believe it when he was told it was the first time the wide man had scored twice in a single Premier League game. "The first time? He has to do it again," the Portuguese quipped with a wide grin when questioned by Match of the Day.
The double took Elanga, who operated in a free role, to 27 goals/assists for the Reds in the league. He is a man full of confidence right now.
“I feel like I’ve got the engine to play in different positions, I just want to keep improving. It’s a credit to the staff and the players around me,” he told the club website afterwards.
Nottingham Forest: Special reports
To celebrate the success of Nottingham Forest this season, we are writing a series of features celebrating events at the City Ground.
From the finances to the former managers. Looking at how the City is benefitting from what Nuno's team are doing on the pitch.
We take a deep dive into Evangelos Marinakis and his aspirations for the club - can the Reds match them?
CITY ECONOMY: Forest in the Champions League would give city a 'massive boost'
VIEW FROM THE TERRACES: 'I've had a Forest season ticket for 20 years - we've never had it so good'
FUTURE GROWTH: Special report: What Forest success this season could mean for club's future
EVANGELOS MARINAKIS: Forest can fulfil Evangelos Marinakis' big ambition as magical season just the start
NUNO'S IMPACT: French Alps trip and the surprising role Manchester United played in remarkable transformation
Happy travelling
Prior to their trip to East Anglia, the Reds had lost their previous three away games in the league - more than they had in their previous 13 fixtures on the road. They had fallen to a heavy defeat at Bournemouth, lost to Fulham and been beaten by Newcastle United.
On Saturday, they were back on track. Their away form has been strong for much of this season and normal service was resumed at Portman Road.
Once again, it was a tactical masterclass from Nuno. Beforehand, he stressed to his players the need to ride out the opening 15 minutes as the Tractor Boys had been identified as solid starters.
Forest did that. And while the first half-hour wasn’t exactly action-packed, it did include some lovely passages of play from the visitors.
Once they had notched up the goals, it was difficult to see a way back for Ipswich. It was to be expected there would be a response from the hosts after the break, but the Reds handled it well.
When an unstoppable strike from Jens Cajuste ended Matz Sels’ hopes of another clean-sheet, Forest quickly extinguished any chance of an unlikely comeback by bagging their fourth. With big games to come away to Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and West Ham United, this one will have come as a timely booster.
Europe bound?
It felt like tempting fate to leave off the question mark. But the Reds are getting closer to the point when there will simply be no debate over their calling for next season.
There is no doubt they have taken a big step in that direction over the past couple of weeks. A point against Arsenal, a win over Manchester City and now three points away to Ipswich. Add in their FA Cup fifth round triumph over the Tractor Boys and it has been a significant run.
Nuno’s men ended Saturday just a point behind second-placed Arsenal, with the Gunners facing Chelsea later today (Sunday). The Blues are five points behind Forest as it stands, with fifth-placed City six points adrift.
Nuno still refuses to get caught up in any talk about what might be possible and where his team are in the table, but the evidence is plain for all to see. The Portuguese’s 50th Premier League match in charge of the club further underlined the Reds’ top-four credentials. It was marked by Hudson-Odoi strumming a guitar, apparently gifted by Ipswich fan Ed Sheeran, in the changing room. On footage captured by Ola Aina, the wide man played Sheeran’s hit “Shape of You”.
The Reds are certainly in good shape. Fingers will no doubt be crossed that those players heading away with their countries return unscathed. Then when Forest do link back up, they know it will be for the business end of the season. And what a finale it could prove to be.