Nottingham Forest are heading to Wembley for the semi-final of the FA Cup later this month after knocking out Brighton on penalties.
The Reds won 4-3 following a 0-0 draw at the AMEX Stadium and ultimately, the tie was settled by Matz Sels and Ryan Yates.
Forest were dogged and determined throughout the 120 minutes of action, with the game perhaps failing to live up to the pre-match billing.
The Forest head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, perhaps went with a surprise team selection given that he left Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga both on the bench.
Wayne Rooney delivered a scathing verdict on the boss and his decision but his words royally backfired after the win for Forest.
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo makes Wayne Rooney look very foolish
The Forest boss has proved a very useful manager at this level over a number of years – and the same can’t be said about Rooney.
Yesterday, that showed as Espirito Santo stuck to his guns and simply went with the team selection that felt right in his gut.
Before the game, Rooney said: “I am shocked. The FA Cup is such a prestige tournament and to rest players in a quarter-final…
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“If I were a fan, I would be fuming. You want to win silverware and this is a great opportunity.”
Rooney was left to eat his words after the contest as Espirito Santo celebrated wildly with the Forest fan base who had travelled in numbers.
Forest await semi-final draw
The draw will take place after Aston Villa have taken on Preston North End in their last eight match later today.
Crystal Palace have already booked their place alongside Forest in the draw, with Bournemouth and Manchester City to do battle later too.
The Eagles beat Fulham yesterday and they will fancy winning the competition, much like Forest right now.
The Reds have a golden opportunity now and with Espirito Santo overseeing the team, Forest have a chance to go all the way – despite what Rooney might think!