Nottingham Forest finally confirmed yesterday (Sunday) that they will play next season’s football in the Premier League. Forest went into yesterday’s game against Burnley knowing that survival was all-but guaranteed, with a much superior goal difference over challengers Luton Town, but with an emphatic final day victory they put survival beyond doubt.
A first half brace from forward Chris Wood, skipper of the New Zealand national side, secured the three points for the Reds, despite a second half consolation goal from Josh Cullen with 18 minutes left on the clock.
The result didn’t matter for Forest’s survival, as elsewhere, Luton Town lost a six-goal thriller against Fulham, 2-4, at their Kenilworth Road ground, ensuring relegation after just one season at the top tier.
Forest finished the season in 17th place – the last position that avoids relegation – with 32 points, six points ahead of Luton.
This is with four points deducted from Forest’s tally by the Premier League for breaching “Profitability and Sustainability” financial fair-play rules in the 2022/23 season. The club had spent £34.5 million above their permitted threshold of £61 million. The deducted points didn’t impact Forest’s final league position, as 16th place Brentford finished on 39 points.
“We are very happy with the way we finished the season”, Reds’ manager Nuno Espírito Santo, told Forest TV after the game. “We all know how tough it was, and to finish on a high with our fans celebrating in the end with a win – there is no doubt that Forest are in the Premier League and our fans are going to see the best football in the world for another season.”
