72’
Nottingham Forest left nothing to chance as they overcame Burnley 2-1 to cap off a difficult Premier League campaign.
Nott'm Forest’s safety was not mathematically confirmed heading into the final day, even though it was never likely that Luton Town would manage to flip the goal difference in their favour.
But 17th-placed Forest ensured they did their bit regardless against the already-relegated Clarets, with Chris Wood’s first-half double doing the damage at Turf Moor.
Josh Cullen’s deflected attempt gave Burnley hope, but the visitors held on firm to finish six points clear of the bottom three.
How the match unfolded
Forest needed just 76 seconds to open the scoring – Anthony Elanga bursting down the right flank and sending a low cross into the six-yard box, where Wood was waiting to tap home.
It was 2-0 just 12 minutes later, as Wood reacted sharply to turn in from Ryan Yates’ shot.
While the goal was initially disallowed for offside, that decision was overturned after a VAR review, with Wood having managed to keep himself the right side of the last man.
Zeki Amdouni should have done better when teed up by Jacob Bruun Larsen, but the Swiss forward blazed over.
Wood had the chance to complete his hat-trick two minutes into the second half, only to send a tame header straight at Arijanet Muric.
Burnley’s goalkeeper was forced into a tougher save by Morgan Gibbs-White soon after, as he tipped over the playmaker’s dipping long-range strike.
Wilson Odobert tried his luck from distance at the other end around the hour, with the winger’s effort skimming just wide of Matz Sels’ goal.
Burnley’s luck changed in the 72nd minute – Cullen’s hopeful attempt diverting in off a defender, with Sels left helpless.
There was to be no final-day comeback for the Clarets, though, as they prepare for life in the second tier.
Club reports
Burnley report | Forest report
Match officials
Referee: Graham Scott. Assistants: Darren Cann, Richard West. Fourth official: David Webb. VAR: Tom Bramall. Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart.
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