Taiwo Awoniyi scored the decisive penalty to win the shootout against Bristol City as Nottingham Forest progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Nuno Espirito Santo suffered a frustrating scrape on his foot on the edge of the technical area for much of the game, including worrying extra-time, but Forest Finally, in the fourth round replay, they defeated their Championship opponents, who almost registered. The winner is determined from 12 yards before the game.
By the end, Divock Origi’s early goal – his first for Forest, canceled out by Jason Knight – felt like a distant memory, but Forest are here to stay with Manchester United The game was played. Sam Bell performed well in other areas, with his penalty saved by goalkeeper Matt Turner, who has been replaced in the Premier League by January recruit Mats Sayles (Matz Sels) took away, but ultimately proved to be the hero as he saved down the right, leaving the visitors wondering what would have happened. been.
Every minute counts in Forest’s fight to avoid relegation, so a long trip here isn’t ideal preparation for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle.
Forest’s priority was survival, so in the face of injuries and suspensions Nuno made eight changes to his starting XI, presumably hoping he wouldn’t need the cavalry. Forest could not afford such luxury and after a tense and forgettable hour or so, extra-time loomed, with Awoniyi and Callum Hudson-Odoi coming on as substitutes. Next up were Nuno Tavares and Neco Williams, providing a welcome spark, as well as 18-year-old Joe Gardner making his debut .
Forest had a penalty training session on Tuesday and they proved flawless. Morgan Gibbs-White was one of the players to keep his place and took the first penalty, which he curled past Bristol City goalkeeper Max O’Leary. Fly into the bottom corner. Hudson-Odoi, Williams and Moussa Nyahate also scored in the penalty shootout.
It speaks volumes about his character that centre-back Niyahat stepped up a week after missing a crucial penalty for Senegal which saw them eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations, and that he returned to Nottingham earlier than he would have liked. Turner will also gain confidence from his performance. “We knew it would not be easy after we decided to change the Premier League goalkeeper, but his reaction was that of a top professional player,” Nuno said.
Bale’s penalty proved his only mistake of the night as he and his team-mates impressed. Bale made a crucial intervention with seconds remaining in overtime to deny Awoniyi’s clean shot after Tavares burst forward. “If he hadn’t recovered his run at the back post, we wouldn’t have been punished,” Bristol City manager Liam Manning said. “Understandably he was frustrated but the lads were great and got around him.”
When Forest scored their second try and Origi had the final goal after Felipe headed over Gibbs-White’s corner, it looked like they might be in for a rare night of comfort. It turns out not to be the case. Andy King, making his first start since October, dropped into the base of Bristol City’s midfield and was unlikely to be the source of their equalizer.
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King took aim from 25 yards and his shot passed Turner’s glove and hit both posts before Bell passed the ball to Knight, who launched a furious attack. From there, it was the visitors, who face Middlesbrough again on Saturday, who had the upper hand.
“It’s common sense that the game goes straight to penalties,” Manning said. “I feel for the lads but at the same time we have to create that ruthless edge.”
After overtime, both teams had a chance to win. Williams’ shot was blocked by Gardner, but Bristol City had their best chance in the second period of stoppage time. Turner somehow suffocated the ball before substitute Naki Wells almost converted on the goal line after receiving a low cross from Bale, and minutes later Wells breezed past experienced defender Felipe, who was already Creaking and providing another substitute in Harry Cornick, he was unable to direct his efforts towards the goal.
With seconds remaining in overtime, Awoniyi hesitated on Tavares’ shot, allowing the astute Bale to step in and intervene. That crescendo ensured a nail-biting round of penalties. “We’re happy, it was tough but it was worth it,” the Forest manager said happily afterwards.
