Gibbs-White equals Ian Woan’s Premier League assist record | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest kicked off their Premier League season in style with a 3-1 win over Brentford at the City Ground, and it was captain Morgan Gibbs-White who stole the spotlight.

The midfielder had been the subject of summer transfer talk, with Tottenham and even Manchester City rumoured to be circling, but any doubts over his future were put to bed when owner Evangelos Marinakis rewarded him with a new three-year deal. Judging by Sunday’s display, Forest will be very glad they did.

Handed the armband by Nuno Espírito Santo, Gibbs-White dictated the game and set the tone with a performance full of creativity, energy and leadership. He capped it off by delivering the pinpoint cross for Dan Ndoye’s diving header - Forest’s second of the afternoon and the Swiss winger’s first goal on his league debut.

That assist takes Gibbs-White’s Premier League tally for Forest to 27, putting him level with Ian Woan as the club’s joint-highest provider in the competition. It’s yet another milestone for a player who has quickly become the heartbeat of this Forest side.

While summer arrivals Ndoye, Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee all bring excitement, many supporters will feel the most important bit of business was securing Gibbs-White’s future. His decision to commit has given Forest a focal point both on and off the pitch as they look to build on last season’s progress.

Forest narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot last term, finishing just a point shy in seventh. But with Europa League football now confirmed, thanks to Crystal Palace’s punishment for breaching multi-club ownership rules and Gibbs-White leading the charge, belief is growing that this could be another memorable season at the City Ground.