Nottingham Forest powered to their highest Premier League position for 26 years with a 3-0 win against West Ham as boss Nuno Espirito Santo hailed their “positive moment” on Saturday.
Goals from Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina lifted Forest into third place as their superb start to the season reached a new peak.
Trailing 1-0 to Wood’s opener, West Ham had Edson Alvarez sent off in first half stoppage-time and Forest showed no mercy after the interval at the City Ground.
Forest have won five of their 10 league games this term, losing only once, to unexpectedly climb into the top four.
Not since August 1998, when a 2-1 win over Southampton left Dave Bassett’s side second in the standings, have they sat so high.
“It is a positive moment. We worked very hard this week, this is what we are focused on. We have to work and work hard and improve much more,” Nuno said.
“Nothing has changed since the beginning, we have to keep on going. Believe me, there is no other way. If you get distracted, football doesn’t forgive you.
“I think the longer the team is together, the better the players will know each other, the options we have coming back, the group should be stronger and as time goes by the bond will grow. This is my belief.”
Forest sit proudly above the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
The former European Cup winners might not emulate Aston Villa’s surprise top four finish from last term.
But Forest’s current position is a welcome boost after last season’s relegation battle, which featured a points deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
However, the pragmatic Nuno tried to keep expectations under control as he turned his attention to next weekend’s clash with Newcastle.
“You know me already. Now I’m thinking about Tuesday and the next training session,” the Portuguese said.
“This is what is important, you know better than me, it doesn’t mean anything now.
“We just have to keep going, keep going, keep going. It’s a very long season ahead, every player is going to be needed.”
