Nottingham Forest, affectionately known as the Tricky Trees, appear to be turning a corner under Sean Dyche after a 3-1 home win over struggling Leeds United.
The victory, Dyche’s second in five games, lifts Forest to just one point inside the relegation zone and marks a notable improvement after a difficult start to the Premier League season.
Forest had begun the campaign with mixed results, including a 2-0 Europa League win over Porto and a draw with Manchester United, but inconsistency had left fans concerned.
Dyche, who replaced Ange Postecoglou, said the latest win signals a shift in mentality. “We are on a run of one loss in five now. It’s good to get that winning feeling back. I’m very pleased for everyone. The players have spoken openly about going through a lot,” he said.
Captain Morgan Gibbs-White has been a standout, scoring three goals in five matches under Dyche. His header from Omari Hutchinson’s cross gave Forest the lead at 2-1 and earned him a standing ovation when he left the field in the 88th minute.
The England midfielder has been key to Forest’s resurgence, with four of his last five Premier League goals coming from headers—a stat matched by only Brentford’s Kevin Schade this year.
Dyche’s tactical changes proved decisive. Substitutes Hutchinson, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Ryan Yates, brought on in the 59th minute, injected energy and creativity.
Hutchinson played a pivotal role, assisting Gibbs-White and winning the penalty that Elliot Anderson converted to seal the 3-1 win. BBC pundit Danny Murphy noted, “Being proactive won the game for Dyche, rather than trying to protect what they had got.”
With key players Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood still returning from injury, Forest’s squad depth looks set to improve further. Dyche praised his players’ resilience and commitment, emphasising the importance of regaining confidence and enjoying their football.
The win provides hope for a team that, while still far from the European-chasing side of last season, now shows signs of revival. Forest fans can take encouragement that their team is now only one win away from escaping the Premier League relegation zone.
