Nuno Espirito Santo called on his Nottingham Forest players to show the best version of themselves in their final push for Champions League qualification.
The Reds head coach's message was clearly taken on board as his team kept their hopes of mixing it with Europe's elite alive courtesy of their 2-1 win over West Ham United on Sunday. It means the battle for a top-five finish in the Premier League will go to the final day of the season, with Forest hosting fellow contenders Chelsea at the City Ground next weekend.
Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nikola Milenkovic secured the three points against the Hammers but the game wasn't without drama. Jarrod Bowen reduced the deficit late on and the visitors had to endure a nervy 11 minutes of stoppage time before victory was confirmed. Below is a look at what Nuno had to say after the final whistle in the capital.
On the importance of three points…
“Since the beginning of the season we wanted to be in this fight (for the Champions League). We achieved it.
“If you had said in the beginning it would be possible, you would have said no. But we are in it and the last game at the City Ground is going to be huge for us. It is trying to achieve something magical.
“We played good. We started well; we were organised and pressing really well. It was open and both goalkeepers had to make fantastic saves.
“But after that, we were in control and scored a good goal. We started the second half really well and then the game changes. It is another reality of football, the stoppage time, and then it is all about nerves and anxiety trying to finish the game.”
On dedicating the win to seriously-injured striker Taiwo Awoniyi…
“Since the beginning of the preparation, T was on our minds due to the seriousness of the situation. The boys wanted to do it for T.
“Our final words were to give it a push and a go for T. He is someone we really admire and his smile is contagious.
“We need him. The boys did it for him and we are so proud.”
On the game lasting almost 113 minutes…
“I thought it was never going to end! I was hoping for the game to end but it was due to the stoppage time.
“The referee explained to us there was a problem with the connection with Stockley Park - that’s why they took so long (to check Milenkovic’s goal). We don’t want these things to happen, but when it happens it is about trying to keep your composure until the end.”
On the performance…
“In previous games, bad things had been happening to us. Mistakes, conceding first - which is something we struggle with and we have to recognise. Today, it was the other way around.
“It took more of the line of the games we have seen this season - starting well, getting the goal, keep going and then holding on to the result. It didn’t work so well in that in the moment we wanted to close the game down, we conceded. That is something we have to look at, but overall it was much better than previously.”
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On key players stepping up…
“Our words (to the players) were, let’s give the best of each one of us in these final two games. We know that we are battered, that we are fatigued, that there is pressure, excitement and nerves. But let’s enjoy it and bring the best out of our players.
“Today, some of them were phenomenal. Phenomenal.”
On Murillo hurting his ankle in the first half…
“Since the beginning, he was struggling. You could see it. But he made an effort and hopefully he is going to be available for the next one. Now it is about recovering our players and preparing.”
On whether he would have taken a potential last-day Champions League decider at the start of the season…
“I would sign it! I would sign it! I would have signed up for that, of course.”
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Nottingham Forest are flying high in the Premier League and Reds fans are dreaming of a return to European competition. It has been an outstanding campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, who are on course for a place in the Champions League next season. And Forest supporters can whet their appetite for a possible return to football’s top tier on the continent with our 48-page special edition celebrating the club’s two European Cup wins.
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On the final day being a test of character…
“Today will give us a boost of confidence, but it is going to be a different game. It is going to be a special game.
“More than nerves, we really have to take the chance for us to enjoy the moment. The players do much better when they release themselves from this perception and they focus on their tasks.”
On a lack of possession this season…
“We wish we could have more of the ball! We all wish that. But we play against good teams and good players. Sometimes you want to have the ball and the others don’t give you the ball.
“I understand the meaning of the question but I think we should all do a simple exercise, in that when you score first, that dictates a lot of things that can happen. It has to do with the way you do things also, and different teams do different things. But the impact of scoring first throughout the Premier League makes a big difference to the approach.”
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