Nottingham Forest moved into the next round of the Carabao Cup with an impressive 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Renan Lodi and Jesse Lingard got the goals at the City Ground. But it was an all round superb performance by the Reds.
Head coach Steve Cooper rung the changes in the third round tie, with Ryan Yates and Serge Aurier the only two to retain their places. Those who came in generally made a positive impression, with the Reds on the front foot from the off.
READ MORE: Re-live the action from the City Ground
READ MORE: Cooper names Forest team to face Spurs in cup tie
The hosts were the better side in the first half and created some good openings. Yates had an early effort from range deflected behind, then Fraser Forster was called into action on the 10 minute mark.
Taiwo Awoniyi had used his strength on the edge of the area to probe Spurs’ defence; although he couldn’t quite get a proper shot away, the ball bounced off him and cannoned off the post. Jesse Lingard was on hand to pounce on the rebound, but was denied by a strong save.
It was Lingard who went close again midway through the half, with an effort which dipped over as it took a deflection, while Joe Worrall drew an instinctive stop from Forster soon after. At the other end of the pitch, it had been a fairly quiet 45 minutes for Wayne Hennessey, but he was alert to a fierce Matt Doherty strike on the half hour.
The breakthrough came early in the second half, and it was a peach from Lodi. Played in by Lingard, he cut inside and curled it beyond Forster.
Lingard then made it 2-0 before the hour, heading in after Sam Surridge had headed Aurier’s cross back across goal. Forest were forced to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men when Orel Mangala was sent off for a second bookable offence, but they stayed firm to clinch the win. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Wayne Hennessey: Didn’t have a great deal to do as the Reds were in control for much of the game. Alert when he had to be, though, and was decisive when the ball came into his area. Rating: 7.5/10
Serge Aurier: A delightful cross to pave the way for the second goal. Capped off another excellent performance. He’s become Mr Dependable at right-back. Rating: 8.5/10
Joe Worrall: Will have given the manager food for thought, having been brought into the XI. Solid at the back and used the ball well to get his team going. Rating: 8/10
Willy Boly: Got stuck in straight away with a crunching challenge on Harry Kane. That set the tone and he didn’t give Spurs much change from then on. Rating: 8/10
Renan Lodi: What. A. Goal! Curled it beautifully beyond Fraser Forster. Stuck to his task at the other end of the pitch, too. Rating: 8.5/10
Ryan Yates: Work-rate was tremendous. Made sure Spurs didn’t get a minute’s rest. Came close with an early effort which set the tone for a positive team performance, too. Rating: 8.5/10
Lewis O’Brien: A real livewire in the centre of the pitch; bright and lively throughout. Balance between the midfield three was spot on. Rating: 8.5/10
Orel Mangala: A real shame an otherwise good display from the midfielder was marred by a sending off. A couple of poor decisions cost him. Rating: 7.5/10
Jesse Lingard: Much more like it! Far and away his best performance since his summer move. Hopefully that goal acts as lift-off for the attacker. Rating: 8.5/10
Sam Surridge: Grasped his opportunity after being handed a rare start. Set up Lingard nicely and could have had a goal himself in the second half. Rating: 8.5/10
Taiwo Awoniyi: Had some really positive moments as Forest were well on top. Not far off getting the opener with a lucky bounce off his shin. Rating: 8/10
Subs
Neco Williams (for Aurier, 62mins): Solid defensively when he needed to be. Looked bright, too. Rating: 7/10
Brennan Johnson (for Awoniyi, 62mins): Caused Spurs problems with his pace when he came on. Forced a decent save. Rating: 8/10
Steve Cook (for Lingard, 78mins): Helped the Reds see out the closing minutes to progress to the next round. Rating: 7/10
Morgan Gibbs-White (for Surridge, 78mins): Fresh legs added some energy in the closing stages. Rating: 7/10
Jack Colback (for O’Brien, 78mins): Good to see the midfielder back involved, having been struggling with a back problem. Rating: 7/10
Subs not used: Henderson, Mbe Soh, Freuler, Dennis.
Who was your Forest man of the match? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT:
