Chris Wood had an opportunity to make it 4-0 soon after the restart but swept an effort straight at Palmer. Instead it was Ipswich who found the net in the second half as Jens Cajuste pulled one back eight minutes from time.

Substitute Jota Silva made it 4-1 after being teed up by Morgan Gibbs-White but the hosts had the final say through George Hirst. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Portman Road.

Matz Sels: Will be frustrated at not being able to claim another shut-out. Had been a fairly comfortable afternoon for the Belgian but he was beaten by a really good strike late on and then again in added time. Rating: 7/10

Ola Aina: Seems back to his normal self now after a bit of a dip in form a few weeks ago. Generally dealt with any threat well and pushed on when he got the opportunity. Rating: 7.5/10

Nikola Milenkovic: A goal and an assist on a good afternoon’s work for the centre-back as he did a job at both ends of the pitch. Just a shame he couldn’t celebrate a clean-sheet, too. Wonderful finish to open the scoring. Rating: 8.5/10

Murillo: Will head off to link up with Brazil with a spring in his step. Deserves to play for his country this time after doing well again. Would have been keen to register a clean-sheet, though. Rating: 8/10

Neco Williams: A consistent performer in recent weeks and was pretty much flawless again. Has progressed again this season and was consistently looking to get forward while sticking to his tasks at the other end of the pitch. Rating: 8/10

Nicolas Dominguez: Picked up from where he left off after last weekend’s terrific showing against Manchester City. Excellent once again and had a hand in the opener by keeping the ball alive at a corner. Taken off soon after collecting a booking. Rating: 8.5/10

Elliot Anderson: Battled well in the middle of the pitch. Showed some good touches and continually looked to get involved. Continues to be a big player for the Reds. Rating: 8/10

Callum Hudson-Odoi: If there was any disappointment at missing out on an England call-up, he didn’t let it show. As bright as ever and posed a threat throughout. Rating: 8/10

Morgan Gibbs-White: Got a lot of love from the travelling fans as they made it clear what they thought about the attacker’s absence from the England squad. Showed the Three Lions exactly what they will be missing out on. Superb. Rating: 8.5/10

Anthony Elanga: Destroyed Ipswich in that spell just before the interval with two outstanding finishes as Forest took the game away from their opponents. A man full of confidence right now. Rating: 9/10

Chris Wood: Had a couple of chances which he couldn’t quite make the most of as the goalkeeper dealt with both of his efforts. Would have been keen to get amongst the goals but wasn’t quite his day. Rating: 7/10

Subs

Ryan Yates (for Dominguez, 67mins): Got stuck in as soon as he came on. Always makes an impact when he enters the fray from off the bench. Rating: 7.5/10

Morato (for Elanga, 67mins): Brought on to help see the game out. Won’t be happy that Forest conceded on his watch, though. Rating: 7/10

Taiwo Awoniyi (for Wood, 80mins): Perhaps could have done with being brought on sooner to get some valuable minutes into his legs. Tough to really get involved. Rating: 7/10

Jota Silva (for Hudson-Odoi, 80mins): Took his goal well to wrap up a good win for the Reds. His second in the Premier League for the club. Rating: 7/10

Danilo (for Gibbs-White, 89mins): Didn’t really get long enough on the pitch to make any kind of impact. Forcing his way into contention is tough at the minute. Rating: 7/10

Subs not used: Hennessey, Sangare, Moreno, Boly.

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