Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest Player Ratings: Anthony Elanga Stars For Nottingham as their Top 4 Charge Continues
Nottingham Forest continued their fine form in the Premier League by making easy work of Ipswich Town at Portman Road with a 4-2 victory. Anthony Elanga ran riot with a brace in the first half. Ipswich Town grabbed a couple of consolations but the result was beyond doubt by that point.
Nottingham Forest came in with an unchanged lineup after a famous victory against Manchester City. Ipswich Town was pretty much unchanged during this clash. They are quickly reaching must-win games territory to stay afloat.
The game was pretty much open for the opening 35 minutes as both sides looked to impose themselves. There were half chances but neither had a clear sight of goal. It all changed in the next six minutes as Nottingham Forest shifted gears to pull clear.
Ipswich Town failed to clear a corner and Milenkovic wore his shooting boots and lashed a volley past Alex Palmer. A couple of minutes later, Elliot Anderson won the ball in the middle of the park and released Elanga. The Swede chopped onto his left foot and bent one past the goalkeeper.
He sealed a quickfire brace when Milenkovic turned the provider in the 41st minute. The centre-back played a brilliant pass over the top to set Elanga free. The winger took a couple of touches before tucking the ball under Palmer.
Kieran McKenna was amazed by how easily his side fell apart. The Tractor Boys started brightly but their chaotic defending made life hard for them. Nuno Espirito Santo was on his way to celebrate a fantastic victory in his 50th game with the Midlands club.
The second half was a mere formality for the visitors as their strong defence aimed for another clean sheet. Ipswich Town were playing for pride as the road in the Premier League was nearing its end.
Jens Cajuste got the consolation for the hosts after sending a lovely whipped effort past Sels in the 82nd minute. Jota Silva, however, ensured no comebacks were possible as he added a goal off the bench to seal the result in the visitors’ favour. George Hirst still managed to add a fine header for Ipswich in the added time.
Nottingham Forest put pressure on Arsenal by moving just a point shy of them. Their hopes of a return to Europe’s top competition are getting real day by day. They continue their FA Cup run with a trip to Brighton next.
Ipswich Town in the meanwhile will be bracing for a return to the Championship. They remain 18th in the Premier League table and the gap between themselves and safety is 9 points. They travel to Bournemouth in the league next.
Ipswich Town Player Ratings
GK – Alex Palmer – 5/10
He probably could’ve done for the third goal of Forest. Failed to impose on setpieces and looked nervous throughout.
RB – Dara O’Shea – 5.5/10
The skipper enjoyed his battle with Hudson-Odoi but couldn’t do much to prevent the opposition.
CB – Luke Woolfenden – 5.5/10
The centre-backs split too easily when Anthony Elanga ran through for the third goal. Communication was missing.
CB – Jacob Greaves – 5.5/10
A nightmare of a half for the youngster as neither his ball-playing nor his defending came to the party. Was hooked after the first half.
LB – Leif Davis – 6/10
The attacking full-back was pinned by Anthony Elanga who made life hard for him. He was culpable for the second goal of Forest.
DM – Kalvin Phillips – 5.5/10
The once highly rated English midfielder is looking like a shadow of himself. Picked up a booking in the second half.
DM – Jens Cajuste – 7/10
The only silver lining on a gloomy afternoon. Scored a fantastic goal and imposed himself in midfield.
RW – Jaden Philogene – 6/10
Couldn’t replicate his heroics from the Manchester United game. Was easily beaten by the opposition fullbacks.
CAM – Omati Hutchinson – 6/10
The midfielder struggled for creativity and was marked out of the game.
LW – Julio Enciso – 6/10
Had a half chance that was quickly shut down by Ola Aina. Couldn’t create anything of note since.
ST – Liam Delap – 6/10
Met his match in the centre-back duo of Nottingham. He played a guilty hand in the visitors’ opener by not clearing his lines.
Sub – Cameron Burgess- 6/10
Sub – George Hirst – 6.5/10
Attacked the box and got the better of the defenders to score a glancing header past a diving Sels.
Sub – Jack Clarke – 6/10
Picked up the simplest assist of his career perhaps as he just rolled the ball to Cajuste who did all the hard work.
Sub – Nathan Broadhead – 6/10
Sub – Jack Taylor- 6/10
Manager – Kieran McKenna – 5/10
He couldn’t do anything to prevent his side from imploding in front of his eyes. Good performances won’t matter now as they need points to survive in the league.
Nottingham Forest Player Ratings
GK – Mats Sels – 6/10
He was beaten by two good efforts despite having nothing to do for 85 minutes.
RB – Ola Aina – 6/10
The right-back put a crunching tackle on Enciso in the first half. Was helping his side with short passes.
CB – Nikola Milenkovic – 7.5/10
The usually proficient defender became a goal threat. Scored a supreme finish to open the scoring. His ball over the top made Elanga’s second goal.
CB – Murillo – 6/10
His physicality meant he would always come out on top in duels with Liam Dealp.
LB – Neco Williams – 7/10
He was on the front foot always and was unlucky to not get a goal contribution.
DM – Nico Dominguez – 6/10
A superb presence in the middle of the park winning multiple duels.
DM – Elliot Anderson – 7/10
He is fine-tuning his play from the deep by winning the ball and making some good passes forward.
RW – Anthony Elanga – 8.5/10
A sensational quickfire brace to decide the game single-handedly. Was taken off to a standing ovation from the travelling crowd.
CAM – Morgan Gibbs-White – 7/10
His energy and creativity were on show as he responded in a perfect manner to being snubbed by the England squad.
LW – Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6.5/10
The winger tried all sorts of tricks to get on the scoresheet but it wasn’t working for him.
ST – Chris Wood – 6/10
A rare blank when all the other attackers feasted. He wasn’t getting the usual service and was caught flat-footed multiple times.
Sub – Ryan Yates – 6/10
Sub – Morato – 6/10
Sub – Jota Silva – 7/10
Collected the ball from Gibbs-White and slapped a right-footed finish past Palmer.
Sub – Taiwo Awoniyi- 6/10
Sub – Danilo – N/A
Manager – Nuno Espirito Santo – 8/10
Celebrated his 50th game with a win. The opening 35 minutes were nervy but his side showed enough guile to come away with 3 points and keep the Champions League bid alive.
Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match: Anthony Elanga
Q. What is Ipswich’s record against Nottingham Forest?
A. Ipswich Town have only won 4 games against Nottingham while losing 10 and drawing 6.
Q. When was Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest?
A.Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest was on the 15th March 2025
Q. Who was the best player in Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest?
A. Anthony Elanga was the best player in Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest.
Q. Who was the worst player in Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest?
A. Alex Palmer was the worst player in Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest.