Nottingham Forest delivered a commanding performance to secure a 4-2 victory over a struggling Ipswich Town side in their Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon. The result further solidified Forest’s credentials as top-four contenders while deepening Ipswich’s relegation woes, as the Tractor Boys remain the only team in England’s top four tiers without a league win in 2025.
The match began with a sense of urgency from both sides, but it was Forest who struck first in the 35th minute. Nikola Milenkovic rose highest to head home a pinpoint corner, exposing Ipswich’s vulnerability at set-pieces. The home side’s defense, already shaky, crumbled further just seven minutes later when Anthony Elanga capitalized on a long ball that bounced untouched through the backline. The winger coolly slotted past an exposed Christian Palmer to make it 2-0. Before the half-time whistle, Elanga struck again in the 42nd minute, racing onto another through ball and finishing with precision to leave Ipswich reeling at 3-0.
The second half saw Ipswich attempt a response, spurred on by a restless Portman Road crowd. Liam Delap pulled one back in the 65th minute, latching onto a loose ball in the box to give the home fans a glimmer of hope. However, Forest’s clinical edge proved decisive once more in the 87th minute when Jota Silva restored their three-goal cushion, firing a low shot past Palmer after a swift counter-attack.
Ipswich refused to go down quietly, and in a chaotic finish, they clawed back a second goal in stoppage time through a scrappy effort credited to substitute Jack Clarke. But it was too little, too late for the hosts, who were left to rue their defensive lapses and lack of cutting edge in a game that slipped away early.
Forest’s victory was underpinned by their efficiency in front of goal and a solid defensive structure that weathered Ipswich’s sporadic pressure. Elanga’s brace highlighted his growing influence, while Milenkovic’s opener showcased Forest’s set-piece prowess. For Ipswich, the defeat extended their winless run to nine matches, leaving them 18th in the Premier League table with 17 points—now nine points adrift of safety following Wolves’ win over Southampton earlier in the day.
The match statistics painted a grim picture for Ipswich: despite registering 15 shots, their expected goals (xG) total lagged behind Forest’s more clinical output. The visitors, buoyed by their third-placed standing, now sit on 51 points with ten games remaining, keeping their Champions League aspirations firmly alive.
For Ipswich, the road ahead looks increasingly bleak as injuries and poor form continue to plague their campaign. With key players like Conor Chaplin and Arijanet Muric sidelined, the Tractor Boys face an uphill battle to avoid an immediate return to the Championship. Forest, meanwhile, head back to Nottingham with three points and a growing reputation as one of the season’s surprise packages.