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| Danilo of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring their teams first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Brentford Community Stadium on April 29, 2023 in Brentford, England. |
Nottingham Forest were stunned as a late Brentford fightback denied them precious points in their fight for Premier League survival.
Brazilian midfielder Danilo marked his 22nd birthday by putting Forest ahead just before half-time, reacting quickest to steer home Morgan Gibbs-White’s shot which deflected into his path.
Brentford had plenty of the ball but created few clear chances until Ivan Toney’s 82nd-minute free-kick went in off Forest keeper Keylor Navas.
With Forest hanging on and only 10 men on the pitch after Danilo went off injured, substitute Josh Dasilva scored the 94th-minute winner which was only confirmed after a long VAR check.
Forest players argued Brentford forward Yoane Wissa was stood in an offside position and blocking the view of Navas when Dasilva’s shot came in, though replays suggested he was narrowly onside.
After beating Brighton at home on Wednesday, Forest looked well on course for a second win in four days and earn a rare away victory.
But, with all their nearest rivals yet to play this weekend, they remain in 17th place and just a point ahead of third-bottom Leicester.
“It is a sense of massive disappointment – one that got away,” added Forest boss Steve Cooper.
“It was always going to be a tiring week with three games and there were a lot of tired legs on the pitch. It was a game of fine margins.
“We felt in a comfortable position – Brentford weren’t creating a lot of chances. The two goals we’ve given away are really disappointing and it has cost us the game.
“No problem of the effort of the players but you’ve got to do everything right until the end of the game.”
