Nottingham Forest beat Manchester City on Saturday to go four points clear of the reigning champions.
The Reds won courtesy of Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal seven minutes from time as he bagged after a stunning ball from Morgan Gibbs-White.
Ola Aina was praised for his efforts after the game. He was instrumental in the goal, producing a brilliant tackle on Omar Marmoush before passing to Gibbs-White.
It was all about the team performance this one, however, and Nuno Espirito Santo can take a great deal of pride in the team spirit he’s instilled in his group of players.
As always, Alan Shearer has been picking his best players of the week, and Forest is heavily represented in his selections after gameweek 28.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Alan Shearer picks four Nottingam Forest players in his Team of the Week
It’s perhaps unsurprising that three defensive players have made the cut after such a solid display against the champions.
Matz Sels was picked in goal and Shearer said of his performance: “He made some vital stops and commanded the box well to earn a league-leading 12th clean sheet of the season.
Another defender in his thoughts for praise was Aina. Shearer claimed: “Worked his socks off with some non-stop running and relished his great battle with Jeremy Doku on on the right side.
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It was perhaps hard to overlook Murillo too, with the Brazilian absolutely brilliant as ever. Shearer added: “Another player who frustrated some top attacking players. He didn’t put a foot wrong.”
Finally, the match-winner Hudson-Odoi came in for some praise from Shearer too, with the pundit saying: “His qualities are perfect for this Nottingham Forest team, who soak up pressure and then hit hard and fast with their winger. It took a stunning save from Ederson to deny him a goal before he scored the winner.”
Nuno Espirito Santo receives Alan Shearer praise
Shearer wasn’t done praising Forest players after Saturday’s heroics against City, and the head coach was named there, too.
He said of Espirito Santo: “His game plan worked to perfection once again as Forest followed their 0-0 draw against Arsenal with a win over Man City. They fully deserve to be in the top four.”
Forest are now hopeful that a top four finish can be obtained, although there are still 10 matches remaining of the Premier League campaign.
It’s great to see so much recognition from a pundit on what Forest are trying to do this season and this number of players in the Team of the Week is often a common occurrence under Shearer.