Nottingham Forest Pip Ipswich 1-0
Chris Wood scored his ninth Premier League goal of the season as Nottingham Forest got back to winning ways against Ipswich Town.
The 32-year-old was forced to wait until the 49th minute for his first effort on goal, which came from the penalty spot after Sam Szmodics brought down Jota Silva.
Wood’s penalty means he has now equalled Bryan Roy’s club record total of 24 Premier League goals.
He told BBC Match of the Day: “It’s fantastic but I want to keep going and keep pushing.
“The team is delivering chances and opportunities. It’s easy when they’re putting them on a plate.”
Forest came close to adding a second four minutes after Wood scored, but Arijanet Muric tipped brilliantly on to the crossbar from Murillo’s header.
Substitute Jack Clarke looked to keep alive Ipswich’s three-game unbeaten run but his swept effort inside the box was timid and proved no danger to Matz Sels.
Kieran McKenna’s side started the game at the City Ground with confidence and Omari Hutchinson’s drive at goal forced Matz Sels into a fine save low to his right.
After two defeats on the bounce, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men were flat in the first half but flew out of the blocks for the second period.
After a well worked move, Silva found himself just inside the box as Szmodics was over-enthusiastic in his attempts to win the ball before Wood dispatched his spot kick high into the middle of the goal.
Wood’s penalty means Forest have risen to sixth in the league table, while Ipswich sit 19th.
The New Zealand international is now Forest’s joint-leading Premier League scorer since the competition’s formation in 1992 and he does not look like stopping there.
Forest lacked attacking spark at Arsenal last time out but they were back to their most threatening after Wood was restored to the starting line-up.
After a quiet first half, the forward came to life and was a constant menace for the Ipswich backline.
He dispatched his penalty with ease despite not having a shot on goal prior to that and it gave him confidence to drive his side towards victory.
A classic number nine, Wood was vital as Forest held on to their lead in the final moments with some fantastic hold-up play to give his defence some breathing space as Ipswich searched for an equaliser.
A trip to the City Ground, especially this season, is tough for any side but Ipswich started on the front foot and may have been disappointed they did not capitalise when their tails were up.
The hosts came out for the second half with much more attacking intent as they drove forward in search of the opening goal and it came, inevitably, from Wood.
McKenna’s side will be disappointed to see their three-game unbeaten run come to an end but they certainly gave a good account of themselves in Nottingham – and the performance gives them something to build on with three winnable games coming up.
The next two weeks are huge for Ipswich as they welcome fellow strugglers Crystal Palace to Portman Road before Bournemouth make the trip to East Anglia.
Their next away trip is a game against Wolves who, like Palace, are down towards the foot of the table.
