Nottingham Forest made fun of Nuno Espirito Santo's pre-match worries by securing a comfortable 3-1 win over Brentford in their opening Premier League game of the season.
Nuno expressed “concern” about the situation ahead of the match, citing a lack of options in the squad, but will feel more at ease after an impressive performance at the City Ground.
After new signings Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee were introduced early in the match, their new teammates put on quite a show, with Chris Wood's brace and Dan Ndoye's debut goal putting them three goals ahead at half-time.
With new signings expected and Europa League action looming after last season's seventh-place finish, Forest fans may be more optimistic than their manager after this opening game of the season.
It was a start that new Brentford manager Keith Andrews was certainly dreading.
With Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard sold in the summer and Yoane Wissa effectively going on strike to force his departure, Andrews has had a tough time in his first managerial job.
Igor Thiago scored against the Bees from the penalty spot in the second half, but life after Thomas Frank got off to a bad start.
Forest had scored just once in six tense pre-season friendlies but it took them just six minutes to turn the game around.
Elliot Anderson's corner was found by Wood and the striker picked up where he left off last season, firing home from close range.
The goal was such a big deal that there was wild celebration on the touchline and goalkeeping coach Ruy Barbosa required medical attention after hitting his head on the roof of the dugout and suffering a severe cut.
Forest were full of energy and almost scored a superb team goal through new signings Ndoye, Morgan Gibbs-White and Anderson, the latter's shot towards goal was well blocked by Sepp van den Berg.
Brentford tried to take control of the game and forced goalkeeper Mats Sels into a good save when Yegor Yarmolyuk's low shot was poorly aimed.
But Forest continued to dominate and two goals five minutes before the break sent them into dreamland.
In the 42nd minute, Gibbs-White made a superb pass to Ndoye, who headed the ball into the top corner of the goal.
Wood then doubled his tally in the second minute of added time, intercepting Anderson's pass and curling the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher into an empty net.
After the break, Forest were unstoppable and looking for more goals.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, on the verge of signing a new contract, stung Kelleher's palms before Gibbs-White fired an acrobatic shot just over the bar.
Brentford brought on Jordan Henderson in the 68th minute in an attempt to stem the onslaught and had reduced the deficit 10 minutes later.
Lesnik midfielder Ibrahim Sangare handled the ball in the penalty area, and Thiago successfully converted the penalty.
However, the final success was not sealed as Forest started the season with a win.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
