Ange Postecoglou’s first chance of silverware with Nottingham Forest has been dashed in spectacular fashion – by Socceroos defender Cam Burgess of second-tier Swansea City.
The Australian manager’s Forest team took a 2-0 lead in their League Cup tie before losing 3-2 to Burgess’ second goal, in added time. Swansea had equalised only moments before snatching the unlikely win via the Australian international.
It was the second game in charge for the former Socceroos coach at Forest – and his team has now conceded six times in two matches after a debut 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League.
Absolute carnage as Socceroo Cam Burgess sends fellow Aussie Ange Postecoglou & Nottingham Forest out of the Carabao Cup.
Trailing 2-0, Swansea equalised in the 93rd minute.
Then, Burgess won it in the 97th!
Forest made to pay for not taking chances.pic.twitter.com/z5TGAukToB
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) September 17, 2025
Two goals from Igor Jesus, his first for the club since his move, gave Forest a 2-0 lead at halftime, but Swansea roared back in the second half in front of their home fans.
Burgess scored his first on 68 minutes before Zan Vipotnik turned in a shot from close range in the 93rd minute. With time running out, Swansea had a corner that was cleared as far as Ethan Galbraith, who smashed his attempt against the cross bar. Burgess got to the rebound and smashed in the winner.
The BBC reported that Postecoglou raised his voice at his players, who slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in his first game, after the match.
“I just thought it was a game we really should have killed off long before it got to the stage that it did,” Postecoglou said.
“I got the sense we were getting a bit comfortable and thought the game would finish off easily but that’s not what happens, particularly in cup football. I thought we scored a good third goal.
“I think the lads got a bit comfortable in that moment and you’ve got to know the warning signs.
“We had to finish them off and we had plenty of opportunities to do that, and a couple of decisions didn’t go our way.
“Players just thought it would naturally finish that way and we’ve paid a heavy price for that. We need to improve.
“They (Swansea) had two shots from outside the box in the first half and didn’t really test us until right at the end.
“There were a lot of players out there who needed some football, but even within that context we were well in control of that game and should have seen it out.
“I was just frustrated that we didn’t realise the danger that could have developed by not being more clinical and killing off the opponent when we should have.”
Burgess, a central defender, said: “We said before the game to have belief. It was a big test for us tonight to go up against a Premier League team and show what we can do.
“It’s a long season and we have to work hard but if that’s a sign of things to come then this season will be special.”