Alious
Nottingham Forest’s hard-fought 2-0 win over West Ham United has not only kept their dream of European football alive—it’s also secured their place in Premier League history books with a remarkable record-breaking achievement.
While the immediate focus was on the club’s climb toward the coveted top-five finish and potential Champions League qualification, an extraordinary statistical milestone has surfaced, highlighting the astonishing progress made under Nuno Espírito Santo.
After taking over as manager in December 2023, Espírito Santo was initially tasked with simply avoiding relegation. He succeeded, securing survival last season with a modest 32 points and a 17th-place finish. However, just a year later, Forest have defied all expectations by *doubling* that tally—achieving over 64 points and etching their name into Premier League history.
According to official league data, this is the **first time ever** that any team in Premier League history has managed to double their points total from one season to the next. The magnitude of this transformation not only reflects the tactical acumen of Espírito Santo but also the resurgence and evolution of his squad, many of whom were part of last season’s struggle.
Morgan Gibbs-White, who opened the scoring in the win over West Ham, honored teammate Taiwo Awoniyi in his celebration—reminding fans how collective spirit and motivation have been central to Forest’s rise. Nuno himself was full of praise for goalkeeper Matz Sels, whose crucial saves underlined the team’s newfound resilience and defensive strength.
And it’s in defence where the most dramatic change has occurred. Compared to last season’s inconsistent backline of Montiel, Boly, Murillo, and Toffolo, Forest’s current rearguard, particularly the centre-back pairing of Murillo and Nikola Milenković, has transformed them into a far tougher opponent. Milenković’s leadership and experience have allowed Murillo to blossom into one of the league’s most promising defenders.
Add to that Chris Wood’s goal-scoring contributions and a tighter, more organized unit across the pitch, and it’s no surprise Forest have gone from relegation survivors to European contenders in the span of a single season.
With one game left against Chelsea, Forest now stand on the cusp of a Champions League berth—something almost unthinkable a year ago. No matter how the final day unfolds, their record-setting rise will be remembered as one of the Premier League’s most dramatic turnarounds.
Alious
