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NOTTINGHAM FOREST HISTORY
21 October, 1978

Win over Ipswich extends unbeaten run

On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 1978 Forest beat Ipswich Town 1–0 during their 42-match unbeaten league run.

Records and statistics

Longest unbeaten or winning run

Forest kept one of English football’s great unbeaten sequences moving by beating Ipswich Town 1–0 at the City Ground in League Division One.

Brian Clough’s side were already champions of England, but the run had continued into the following season. Ipswich were serious opposition, so this was not just another routine home result in a long list.

Martin O’Neill scored the only goal in the 13th minute, giving Forest the lead they needed. In a team built on Peter Shilton’s assurance, John McGovern’s control and John Robertson’s threat, one goal was often enough to turn a tight league match into another statement of authority.

The 1–0 win kept Forest moving through the sequence that eventually reached 42 league matches unbeaten. The run had begun in November 1977 and stretched across the title season and beyond.

It was later ended by Liverpool in December 1978, but by then Forest had already made their point. They were not just champions; for more than a year of league football, they had been almost impossible to beat.

Match Footage

Sources

11v11; Nottingham Forest official site; Historical Lineups

Forest timeline

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Notts County 0–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 3–0 Blackburn
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Vitória SC 1–1 Nottingham Forest
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Portimonense 1–2 Nottingham Forest Sporting CP 4–1 Nottingham Forest
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Udinese 1–0 Nottingham Forest Barcelona 1–0 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 2–1 Bayer Leverkusen
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Nottingham Forest 2–0 Stade Brestois 29
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Nottingham Forest 0–1 Leeds
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Nottingham Forest 0–2 Leeds
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Liverpool 2–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 0–0 Tottenham
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Aston Villa 1–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 0–1 Coventry
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Crystal Palace 14:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 16:30 Arsenal
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Ipswich 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Brentford 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 17:30 Manchester City
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Bournemouth 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 20:00 Chelsea
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Hull City 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brighton
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Sunderland 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Everton
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Manchester United 16:30 Nottingham Forest
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Newcastle 19:30 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Fulham
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Nottingham Forest 19:30 Hull City
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Manchester City 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Bournemouth
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Chelsea 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brentford
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Fulham 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Manchester United
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Everton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 20:00 Newcastle
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Tottenham 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Aston Villa
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Leeds 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Liverpool
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Sunderland
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Brighton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Crystal Palace
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Arsenal 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Ipswich
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Coventry 16:00 Nottingham Forest
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On this day in …
1978
Win over Ipswich extends unbeaten run

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