Anthony Elanga bagged a brace as Nottingham Forest moved to within one point of second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table with a 4-2 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Reuniting just 12 days after Forest's nervy penalty-shootout victory in the FA Cup fifth round, the two sides cancelled each other out in a dull first 30 minutes before the contest suddenly exploded into life.
Nuno Espirito Santo's men incredibly scored three times in the space of six minutes towards the end of the opening period, as Nikola Milenkovic kicked off the goal rush before Elanga struck a quickfire brace - his first double for the Garibaldi.
The Tractor Boys improved after the break and briefly threatened an almighty turnaround as Jens Cajuste pulled one back, but that hope was quickly extinguished when Jota Silva restored Forest's three-goal lead after a devastating counter-attack.
A late George Hirst header also proved meaningless as third-placed Forest moved to within touching distance of Arsenal, whereas Ipswich are now nine points adrift of safety in 18th place following Wolverhampton Wanderers' victory over Southampton.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Whether Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad were keeping an eye on Saturday's result only they know, but the Gunners will surely be peering over their shoulder following Forest's fabulous six-minute goal rush.
In truth, the Tricky Trees were lackadaisical in the first 30 minutes, where Ipswich arguably just shaded the opening action, but after one fatal piece of poor defending from Kieran McKenna's side, their game plan collapsed completely.
Ipswich finally found some bite up front when the game was beyond them in the final 10, but their rearguard was found wanting for three of Forest's four goals, making it easy to see why they have now failed to win any of their first 10 league games of 2025.
While Ipswich may be bound for the Championship, Forest are surely bound for Europe after navigating their East Anglian test with panache and professionalism, ending a three-match Premier League losing run on the road in the process.
Saturday's game was also Santo's 50th in charge of the Garibaldi in the Premier League, and barring the hosts' two late goals, the Portuguese could hardly have celebrated that milestone with a more pleasing result.
IPSWICH VS. FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
35th min: Ipswich 0-1 Forest (Nikola Milenkovic)
So often one of Forest's saviours at the other end of the field, Milenkovic channels his inner number nine to propel the Champions League-chasers into the lead!
Ipswich can only half-clear a corner to Callum Hudson-Odoi on the edge of the box, and the ex-Chelsea starlet whips the ball back in for Nicolas Dominguez in the right-hand side of the box.
Milenkovic is in the right place at the right time, takes one touch and fires in a terrific volley into the roof of the net!
37th min: Ipswich 0-2 Forest (Anthony Elanga)
Just like London buses, two goals come at once for Santo's side! Omari Hutchinson loses possession in the Forest half, and Elliot Anderson releases Elanga down the right-hand side.
Jacob Greaves backs away and backs away, and the scintillating Swede takes the invitation, shifting the ball onto his left foot and curling a wonderful low strike into the bottom corner!
41st min: Ipswich 0-3 Forest (Anthony Elanga)
Talk about the floodgates opening! A second for Elanga and third for Forest to surely kill the game off before half time.
One long ball forward from Milenkovic does the damage, as Chris Wood pre-occupies Luke Woolfenden, who jumps on the New Zealand striker's back to try to cut the pass out but fails miserably.
Instead, Milenkovic's hopeful ball bounces all the way through to Elanga, who heads it down and coolly finishes underneath the onrushing Alex Palmer.
82nd min: Ipswich 1-3 Forest (Jens Cajuste)
A sliver of hope or scant consolation?
Most likely the latter, but Ipswich at least manage to wipe out their visitors' clean sheet thanks to a stunning goal from Cajuste, who produces an exquisite turn to escape his marker on the edge of the box and curls a delightful strike into the top corner.
87th min: Ipswich 1-4 Forest (Jota Silva)
Remember when I said Cajuste's beautiful strike was most likely just a consolation? It is most definitely just a consolation now.
Forest almost immediately restore their three-goal advantage through substitute Silva, who calmly finishes a two-v-one counter-attack after being played through by Morgan Gibbs-White.
90+3 min: Ipswich 2-4 Forest (George Hirst)
If only Ipswich had been this ruthless when the game was 0-0!
The hosts end a six-goal spectacular with the final strike of the day deep into added time, as Hirst rises highest to power home an inconsequential header from Dara O'Shea's delivery.
MAN OF THE MATCH - NIKOLA MILENKOVIC
Wood may not have brought his best shooting boots to Portman Road, but it mattered little, thanks in no small part to Milenkovic producing a thumping finish that any striker would have been proud to score.
The 27-year-old also ended the game with an assist to his name as his hopeful punt bounced all the way through to Elanga, and he was his usual impeccable self defensively too, making nine clearances - including one off the line - four tackles and winning all four of his ground duels.
IPSWICH VS. FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Ipswich 56%-44% Forest
Shots: Ipswich 11-11 Forest
Shots on target: Ipswich 4-6 Forest
Corners: Ipswich 6-3 Forest
Fouls: Ipswich 4-13 Forest
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Once the international break has concluded, Ipswich's fight against relegation from the top flight - and search for a first league win of 2025 - continues with a tricky trip to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth on April 2.
Meanwhile, Forest seek a place in the FA Cup semi-finals against Brighton & Hove Albion on March 29, three days before a blockbuster Premier League fixture at home to Manchester United.
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