Certain moments can define a season - and Nottingham Forest might well have added another to a growing collection of them.
A thrilling comeback, a last-minute winner and all against a top-four (!) rival. Saturday night, under the City Ground lights, was the kind of game which really will have Reds fans dreaming of trips to the continent. They will be soaking up every minute of this remarkable campaign and drinking it all in. And why not?!
Nuno Espirito Santo even declared the pints were on him after Aston Villa were seen off, 2-1. Well, not quite, but the head coach did say a few beers should be enjoyed and even declared his players would be given an extra day off after a taxing few weeks.
One way or another, a testing November-December run always had the potential to be a crucial period for Forest. They are almost through the other side of it - albeit with a couple of tough games still to play - and must now surely be seen as challengers for the European spots. Below, we take a look at some of the big talking points from this weekend’s match.
Strength of spirit
Nuno’s side have shown their character several times already this term. As a group they are imbued with grit, determination and an unyielding never-say-die attitude. From the moment Ryan Yates lined up in the tunnel with a steely look in his eyes to Nikola Milenkovic geeing up the fans after his equaliser, Forest refused to give in.
It would have been easy for them to fold after they had fallen behind to Jhon Duran’s opener. Heads could have dropped, particularly as the goal came less than three minutes after Nicolas Dominguez had been thwarted by a wonder save from Emi Martinez.
When Chris Wood then had an effort ruled out for an offside against Anthony Elanga, there could have been a sense that it was not going to be the hosts’ day. But the Reds are made of stern stuff, and they were urged on in the final minutes by a deafening noise inside the stadium. No wonder Villa boss Unai Emery was left smacking the side of the dugout in frustration as his team fell victim to an incredible turnaround.
Despite his own cool persona on the touchline, Nuno admitted to Match of the Day that he was “nervous as hell” watching on. The Portuguese has been at the heart of some of the club’s community projects in the build-up to Christmas, and it is clear there is a deepening connection with supporters.
"The fans were a big part in the game today,” Nuno told Sky Sports (via the BBC). “They helped the team and it goes beyond football, moments like this. It is about the heart and desire of the boys.”
Confidence boost
Forest triumphed despite being a goal down with 86 minutes and 14 seconds on the clock. It is the latest they have ever trailed in a Premier League game they have gone on to win.
Wood has been the team’s main man for goals this season, but if the Reds are going to maintain their challenge at the top end of the table they will need others to chip in. Morgan Gibbs-White and Milenkovic did so to help topple Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, and the latter was at it again this time around.
But perhaps the player with most to gain from getting on the scoresheet is Elanga. Bagging the decisive strike should do him the power of good.
The winger has not been at his best this term, and he has found himself in and out of the side as a result. Jota Silva is putting up a real fight for the starting spot.
It always felt far too premature to write Elanga off, though. He knows he needs to improve, and perhaps Saturday can be a kick-starter for him.
"I feel like this season, for me, I can do better,” he admitted to Sky Sports (via the BBC). "I feel like I can improve in everything. I can get faster and stronger. I am not a finished article and the gaffer always wants me to get better. I just want to be a better player. I am my own biggest critic ahead of other people. I just have to keep working hard and keep producing."
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Premier League
Super subs
Elanga wasn’t the only substitute to make an impact Trentside. In a tactical battle between the two coaches which was akin to a game of chess, deciding when and what changes to make was a fine balancing act.
As many predicted, it was a very tight affair between two evenly-matched teams. For a while, it was almost a case of who blinked first.
Nuno immediately responded to the opener by turning to his bench. Murillo and Yates had both picked up knocks so were replaced by Morato and Jota.
Morato has proven to be a reliable performer whenever called upon. He has frequently been brought on late on in matches to help see out a victory. He got more minutes on this occasion and was rock-solid. As was Willy Boly, who earned special praise from Nuno for his brief cameo.
When the two sides lined up in the tunnel before kick-off, Jota walked past his teammates on the way to taking a spot on the bench and gave each one a warm embrace. It epitomised the spirit of the squad and Nuno’s insistence that it doesn’t matter who starts, every single one of the players has a key role to play.
Big win
The three points moved Forest back into the top four. They are very much there on merit, and there is no reason why they cannot continue to hold their own in such a lofty position.
The full-time whistle was met by a great roar from the stands and on the pitch. Ola Aina did a little jig with Callum Hudson-Odoi. Milenkovic hugged fellow goalscorer Elanga. Owner Evangelos Marinakis was waiting in the tunnel to greet the players as they came off. Yates danced in the dressing room.
Saturday had the feel of Bristol City away about it - another thrilling 2-1 comeback win characterised by a couple of late goals. But whereas that victory in October 2021 was a turning point on the road to eventually securing promotion, this result was affirmation that Forest are competing with the Premier League’s elite.
They have played each of the teams currently making up the top six and have lost just twice - to Arsenal and Manchester City. They have beaten Liverpool and now Villa and drew away to Chelsea. Add in the success at Old Trafford and that is a fine collection of results.
As always, Nuno insisted his focus would quickly turn to the next task - Brentford away, with Tottenham Hotspur at home to follow on Boxing Day. The Reds boss remains a little reluctant to discuss his team’s chances of finishing in the European spots, but he went further than he has done so far with his assessment at full-time.
“We are competing against all the teams in the Premier League,” Nuno said. There was even a cheeky wink from the 50-year-old at one point in his post-match press conference - and if that doesn’t say Forest are the real deal, nothing will.
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