Watson’s the hero as Forest keep up tree-mendous run
NOTTINGHAM FOREST’S resurgence under Sabri Lamouchi continued with Ben Watson’s winner extending their unbeaten run to 10 games.
It was the Forest captain’s second goal in successive home games, having previously gone over three years without finding the net, and it lifted his buoyant team to second in the Championship.
Lamouchi said: “It was a very good performance, I’m so impressed because it has been an amazing month. Today we were unbelievable, all the players.
“They were passionate, they respected the plan, we scored at a good time, maybe we should have scored a second to finish with less pressure.
“We have been working together for three months now and today was the best we have played so far.
“Everyone was giving their best for the team and working together.”
Forest had the better of the early exchanges with Matty Cash dashing out of defence and down the right flank. His cross looked destined to find Lewis Grabban but Brentford skipper Pontus Jansson did well to intercept.
Joe Lolley was the first player to test one of the keepers as he scythed through the middle before letting fly with a shot that David Raya took comfortably.
And the Tricky Trees almost took the lead in freak fashion as Raya punched a Tiago Silva corner into Julian Jeanvier’s back and was relieved to see the rebound drop inches wide.
Silva thought he had a penalty two minutes later but ref Dean Whitestone decided that Mathias Jensen got to the ball first.
The Portuguese midfielder then sent a dipping free-kick inches wide after Jeanvier had brought down Yuri Ribeiro in a dangerous area.
At the other end, Josh Dasilva curled an effort straight into Brice Samba’s arms following a neat passing move and Bryan Mbeumo ballooned a header over from close range.
And on the stoke of half-time Jensen fired in a free-kick that took a wicked deflection, forcing Samba into a brilliant save.
Forest were back on top after the break and it took a last-ditch Henrik Dalsgaard tackle to keep Grabban out after Lolley had put him through.
Brentford’s relief was short-lived as Joe Worrall headed the resulting corner back across the box for Watson to hook a volley into the net.
Silva came close to doubling the lead as he whistled a shot past Raya’s post following some brilliant hold-up play from an isolated Grabban.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “I’m not too disappointed.
“It was our third game in seven days and we were away against a fine side.” TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR are a busted flush right now.
Mauricio Pochettino appears a broken manager, skipper Hugo Lloris suffered a dislocated elbow and the entire team look a battered unit.
Indeed, after this latest shocking defeat, the only thing that remains intact is their appalling Premier League away form.
They have now gone 10 games without a win on their travels, taking just two points from 30 since winning at Fulham in January.
The wheels have completely come off and, following this car crash of a performance at impressive Brighton, the big question is: Can last season’s Champions League finalists regroup and repair the huge damage done over the last two months?
Debutant Aaron Connolly scored twice and Pochettino admitted the international break could scarcely be coming at a better time.
The under-fire Argentine said: “Sometimes after the international break, you can change completely in two weeks.
“You can change the dynamic, the energy. It’s so early in the season. We still believe.
“The last four or five days were tough, after the Bayern result and now this.
“After five and a half years, it’s the first time we’ve had a really difficult situation. It’s an experience we’re going to use to be stronger and be wiser and to be a better group as people. We can bounce back.”
One man who won’t be back anytime soon is the unfortunate Lloris – even if he was the author of his own injury nightmare yesterday.
Spurs last night confirmed Lloris dislocated his elbow, while after the match Poch said: “The news is not good from the hospital.
“Of course, that affected us. To concede a goal after three minutes that way and lose the captain affected the players.
“I feel sorry for our fans. I want to thank them for coming here. We know how they feel – very disappointed. The players are the same. We need to stay together.”
After the 7-2 Champions League home humiliation by Bayern – and rumours of a divided camp – a third successive win at the Amex was the medicine Spurs required – no matter how they got their hands on it.
At least that was the plan until Lloris failed to hold a simple cross, parrying it on to his goalline and allowing Brighton striker Neal Maupay to nod into an empty net.
Well, empty apart from the crumpled figure of Lloris, who fell backwards and landed awkwardly on his arm and was left screaming in agony.
Seven minutes later he was finally taken off on a stretcher while receiving oxygen.
Spurs then survived strong penalty appeals when Moussa Sissoko pushed teenager Connolly inside the area.
But in the 32nd minute Connolly grabbed his first Premier League goal.
His initial effort – a flashing backheel flick – was saved by sub keeper Paulo Gazzaniga but the youngster pipped Ben Davies to the rebound to double the advantage.
Pascal Gross hit the bar for the hosts before Connolly sealed a great personal afternoon with a sensational individual strike. Cutting in from the left in the 65th minute, he took aim before curling a peach past Gazzaniga.
That secured Brighton’s first win since the opening day and delighted boss Graham Potter said: “It was a great performance but you still need luck and we got it with the first goal.
“I don’t like to talk about individuals after such a strong team effort but Aaron gave us an extra dimension.”