Nottingham Forest player ratings vs Burnley – Dilane Bakwa flops as Morgan Gibbs-White shines

Nottingham Forest picked up a vital three points in a 4-1 win against Burnley to boost their Premier League survival hopes.

Zian Flemming opened the scoring in first half stoppage time to stun the City Ground, with Matz Sels unable to keep out the low effort despite getting a glove on the ball.

Sels had parried clear a James Ward-Prowse free-kick earlier in the half, whilst Nottingham Forest’s first shot on target in the game came when Morgan Gibbs-White equalised with a low finish.

Gibbs-White then struck a stunning volley to fire the Tricky Trees into the lead, before producing a brilliant header past the despairing dive of Martin Dubravka.

Igor Jesus grabbed a late fourth as Nottingham Forest move five points clear of the relegation zone with the three points, after Tottenham could only draw with Brighton a day earlier.

Dilane Bakwa failes to seize opportunity

Nottingham Forest’s major problem of not being able to score goals looked like it was once again going to prove their downfall at the City Ground, but Gibbs-White stepped up when they needed him most.

Dilane Bakwa was handed a rare Premier League start, and both he and Omari Hutchinson failed to provide any threat down the flanks, or any service to Chris Wood in the first half.

Wood was a lone figure up-front, and it was no surprise that Igor Jesus came on to support the 34-year-old in the second half in place of Bakwa.

However, the hosts still failed to have a shot on target until Gibbs-White’s first goal in the 62nd minute, and Football Insider revealed that Nottingham Forest could upgrade their strike force in the summer transfer window, with Taiwo Awoniyi expected to depart.

Vitor Pereira suffers major injury blow

Nottingham Forest suffered a blow near the end of the first half when key defender Murillo was forced off with a hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old was a doubt for this match after going off against Porto, and it seems that Vitor Pereira may have rushed his return, and it remains to be seen whether he will feature again this season.

Burnley then struck before the break, following a poor headed clearance by Nikola Milenkovic, and no defender picking up Flemming in the penalty area.

Murillo has built a strong partnership with Milenkovic in defence, and Pereira will have to hope that the Brazilian can make a speedy recovery in time for their next Premier League fixture at Sunderland.

Nottingham Forest player ratings in 4-1 win against Burnley

• Matz Sels – 7
• Ola Aina – 6
• Nikola Milenkovic – 5
• Murillo – 4
• Neco Williams – 6
• Ibrahim Sangare – 6
• Elliot Anderson – 7
• Dilane Bakwa – 2
• Morgan Gibbs-White – 8
• Omari Hutchinson – 5
• Chris Wood – 4

Substitutes

• Jair Cunha (On for Murillo 42′) – 6
• Igor Jesus (On for Bakwa 46′) – 6
• Ryan Yates (On for Wood 76′) – 6
• Morato (On for Hutchinson 88′) – 5
• Nico Dominguez (On for Gibbs-White 89′) – 5

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