Nottingham Forest delivered a ruthless attacking display to defeat Ipswich Town 4-2 at Portman Road, pushing the hosts ever closer to relegation. Anthony Elanga’s devastating seven-minute brace in the second half proved decisive as Forest overpowered Ipswich in a thrilling encounter.
With Ipswich struggling for survival and Forest fighting to secure their top-flight status for another season, the stakes were high. Despite showing resilience, Ipswich couldn’t handle the visitors’ clinical finishing, leaving them staring relegation in the face with only a handful of games remaining.
First Half: A Promising Start for Ipswich Ends in Frustration
The game started with Ipswich showing early aggression, knowing that anything less than a win would push them further into the relegation abyss. Backed by a passionate home crowd, they pressed high and tried to disrupt Forest’s rhythm.
Their intent was rewarded in the 13th minute when Nathan Broadhead opened the scoring. The winger latched onto a through ball from Conor Chaplin and fired a low shot past Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner, sending the home fans into raptures.
Forest, however, did not take long to respond. Their attacking trio of Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Elanga began finding spaces in Ipswich’s defense, creating early warning signs for the hosts.
In the 25th minute, Nottingham Forest drew level through Danilo. The Brazilian midfielder pounced on a rebound after a powerful shot from Gibbs-White was parried by Vaclav Hladky. Danilo showed great composure to slot home from close range, making it 1-1.
The equalizer shifted the momentum in Forest’s favor. Ipswich started to lose control of the midfield, and the visitors looked more dangerous with every attack. Just before halftime, Forest took the lead through a moment of brilliance from Gibbs-White.
In the 41st minute, Gibbs-White received the ball just outside the box, dribbled past two Ipswich defenders, and curled a stunning effort into the top corner, leaving Hladky with no chance. The goal put Forest 2-1 ahead at halftime, and Ipswich were left needing a massive response in the second half.
Second Half: Anthony Elanga’s Seven-Minute Masterclass
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna made changes at halftime, bringing on fresh legs in an attempt to regain control of the game. However, it was Anthony Elanga who stole the spotlight, delivering a breathtaking seven-minute spell that crushed Ipswich’s hopes.
In the 54th minute, Elanga scored his first goal of the night, taking advantage of a defensive mistake from Ipswich. A misplaced pass in midfield was intercepted by Gibbs-White, who quickly released Elanga through on goal. The former Manchester United winger kept his composure, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted the ball into an empty net to put Forest 3-1 up.
Before Ipswich could recover, Elanga struck again in the 61st minute. A perfectly weighted cross from Neco Williams found Elanga unmarked at the back post, and he made no mistake, powering a header into the net to make it 4-1.
His two goals in quick succession silenced the home crowd and left Ipswich reeling. Forest’s ruthless finishing was the difference, showing why they had the firepower to survive in the Premier League, while Ipswich’s defensive frailties continued to haunt them.
Late Ipswich Fightback Not Enough
To their credit, Ipswich didn’t give up. They kept pushing forward, knowing that goal difference could play a role in their survival battle. Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when George Hirst pulled one back with a well-taken strike from just inside the box.
Despite their efforts, Ipswich couldn’t find another goal to make the game truly competitive again. Forest managed the final stages well, controlling possession and running down the clock. When the final whistle blew, the visitors celebrated a massive three points, while Ipswich players looked dejected, knowing their Premier League survival hopes had taken a severe blow.
What This Means for Ipswich’s Survival Chances
This defeat leaves Ipswich deep in relegation trouble, with only a handful of games left to turn their fortunes around. Sitting in 19th place, they now face an uphill battle to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Manager Kieran McKenna acknowledged the difficult position but remained hopeful:
“It’s a tough result to take. We started well, but against a team like Forest, mistakes get punished. We need to regroup, keep fighting, and give everything in these last few games.”
With remaining fixtures against top-half sides, Ipswich need an extraordinary turnaround to survive. Their inability to defend against pacey attackers like Elanga and Gibbs-White raises serious concerns, and unless they can tighten up defensively, relegation looks inevitable.
Nottingham Forest Edge Closer to Safety
For Nottingham Forest, this victory was a crucial step towards securing their Premier League status for another season. Sitting in 14th place with a five-point cushion above the relegation zone, they have given themselves some breathing room.
Manager Nuno Espírito Santo praised his team’s attacking efficiency:
“We knew Ipswich would come out strong, but our quality in attack made the difference. Elanga was outstanding, and the team showed great composure. We’re not safe yet, but this is a big step in the right direction.”
With their attacking players hitting form at the right time, Forest will be confident of picking up the necessary points to avoid any late relegation scare.
Key Performers
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Anthony Elanga – The Game Changer
Elanga was the standout performer, scoring two crucial goals in quick succession to end Ipswich’s hopes. His pace and composure in front of goal made the difference, and his performance showed why he was such a promising talent at Manchester United before making the switch to Forest.
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Morgan Gibbs-White – The Playmaker
Gibbs-White controlled the game, scoring a brilliant goal and providing a key assist. His vision and creativity were instrumental in Forest’s attacking success.
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Danilo – The Midfield General
Danilo dominated midfield battles, winning tackles and breaking up Ipswich’s attacks. His goal in the first half was vital in shifting momentum.
What’s Next?
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Ipswich’s Final Chance for Survival
Ipswich must now prepare for their final games, knowing that even a single loss could confirm their relegation. McKenna’s side needs to rediscover their defensive stability while also taking their chances in attack.
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Forest Looking to Secure Safety Early
Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, will look to build on this win and secure their top-flight status as soon as possible. If they can maintain their attacking form, they should have no trouble avoiding the drop.
Nottingham Forest’s 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town was a showcase of ruthless finishing and attacking quality. While Ipswich fought hard, Anthony Elanga’s quickfire brace in the second half proved to be the decisive moment, leaving the hosts on the brink of relegation.
For Forest, this win could be the one that ensures they remain in the Premier League, while for Ipswich, the harsh reality of relegation looms ever closer. With time running out, they must find a way to fight back—before it’s too late.
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