'The supporters in front of me': BBC journalist shares what he saw Nottingham Forest fans do after Aina's goal today

11/02/2024 03:15 PM

Nottingham Forest fans were in dreamland as their team went up to third in the Premier League table following their 3-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday.

Nuno Espirito Santo's charges made light work of the Hammers at the City Ground for their third win in a row, a result which put the Reds in the Champions League spots.

Forest opened the scoring in the 27th minute through the prolific Chris Wood, who nodded home from close range for his eighth goal of the season.

Things got better for the Reds as Edson Alvarez was sent off after two quickfire yellows to leave West Ham down to ten men by the break.

Forest then tightened their grip on the game on 65 minutes when Callum Hudson-Odoi curled a rolled free kick past Lukasz Fabianski and into the far corner.

Finally, Ola Aina added a third when he cut out a poor clearance attempt from Jean-Clair Todibo before firing into the top-right corner.

BBC Sport’s John Bennett sung Forest’s praises after the game and shared what he saw Reds fans in front of him doing after Aina’s goal.

Bennett, speaking on Final Score, noted how joyous the atmosphere was at the final whistle, with Aina leading the celebrations.

He also said Forest fans looked up to the press box “almost in disbelief” when the Reds ace made it 3-0 for his side.

“What an atmosphere here, it felt like we were in a nightclub after full-time,” said Bennett.

“Incredible celebrations by the Forest players on the pitch, led by a dancing Ola Aina, and the fans in the stands.

“It's early in the season but I don't blame them for having a party. Three Premier League wins in a row for the first time since 1999 and into the top four, above Arsenal.

“When Aina wrapped things up with a goal of the month contender the supporters in front of me were looking up to the press box almost in disbelief.

“A long way to go in this campaign but it's not just the results, it's also the performances which are making the Forest faithful dream.

“A class above Leicester in their last game, now they've totally outplayed West Ham.”

A wonderful day for Forest fans

Forest have been superb so far this season, and sitting third in the top flight will bring back memories of Frank Clark’s vintage 1993/94 team.

Stan Collymore scored 25 goals that season – if Wood can get anywhere close to that, fans really will be in dreamland come next spring.