Nottingham Forest kept up the pressure on second-placed Bournemouth as they thumped Swansea City 5-1 at the City Ground.
In their last home match of the regular season, Sam Surridge bagged a hat-trick for Steve Cooper’s side after a Cyrus Christie own goal had opened the scoring. Alex Mighten rounded off an important win for the Reds.
The hosts had a glut of chances in the first half, but they were made to pay for not putting them away as the teams went in at the break all-square.
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It could have been 3-0 before the 10-minute mark. Philip Zinckernagel and James Garner both had efforts blocked before Sam Surridge was denied as he tried to lob the ball over Andy Fisher.
When the breakthrough did come, courtesy of a Christie own goal, it did so amid much confusion. Initially, referee Graham Scott awarded a Forest penalty and dished out a red card to the defender for handling as he tried to stop the ball crossing the line when under pressure from Jack Colback.
The spot-kick and sending off decisions were then rescinded after much discussion. And the goal was allowed to stand with 22 minutes played.
Swansea quickly hit back, though. Michael Obafemi controlled a cross and lashed the ball beyond Brice Samba to make it 1-1.
Still the opportunities continued to come for the Reds. Joe Worrall was thwarted by a good save, as was Ryan Yates. Surridge headed on to the woodwork and then sent a close-range effort wide just before the interval.
But the visitors continued to have their moments, too. Just before the whistle Samba did well to push away an Obafemi strike.
It was threatening to be one of those frustrating afternoons. But up popped Surridge three minutes after the restart to put the hosts back in front, heading in a Garner corner.
The pair combined again in the 52nd minute to make it 3-1. Garner made a surging run and played a perfectly-weighted ball for the front man to run on to, with Surridge’s beautiful curled finish beating Fisher.
And with 20 minutes to go, Surridge got his hat-trick. Djed Spence’s cross was deflected on to the bar, but the front man was alert to force the ball home at the back post.
There was still time for substitute Alex Mighten to get one in the closing minutes. Goal difference could prove vital, and the youngster showed great determination to get the Reds’ fifth. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Brice Samba: Will be disappointed not to get another clean-sheet. But did make some decent saves. Distribution was really good, too. Rating: 8/10
Joe Worrall: Took the game by the scruff of the neck when Forest needed him to. Denied a goal by a really good save on the half-hour. Rating: 8.5/10
Steve Cook: Other than Michael Obafemi’s goal, didn’t give the visitors much of a look-in. Set up a good chance for Surridge early on. Rating: 8/10
Scott McKenna: Solid as ever at the back. Picked out some terrific forward balls, too. Been arguably the Reds’ most consistent player this season. Rating: 8/10
Djed Spence: Burst of pace had the Swans on the back foot. Set up some good chances with it, too, including helping Surridge bag his third. Rating: 8/10
Ryan Yates: Can never fault his work-rate. Put in a heck of a shift again, helping to get control of the game after the break. Not far off from getting another goal. Rating: 8/10
James Garner: Showed his class, particularly after the break. So comfortable on the ball, and a couple of excellent assists as he linked up well with Surridge. Rating: 9/10
Jack Colback: Put pressure on Cyrus Christie to help force the opener. And made a crucial interception at the other end of the pitch in the closing minutes. Rating: 8.5/10
Philip Zinckernagel: So close to getting on the scoresheet early on, which would have helped settle the nerves. Played his part in the fourth goal by linking up with Spence. Rating: 8/10
Brennan Johnson: Put some really tasty balls across the face of goal as he was at the heart of so much positive play. Just needed someone to finish them off. Rating: 8.5/10
Sam Surridge: Hat-trick hero - and what a time to bag a treble. Unplayable in the second half, alert to everything. The second, in particular, was a beautiful finish. Rating: 9.5/10
SUBSTITUTES
Joe Lolley (for Zinckernagel, 70mins): Really positive again. And not too far away from getting a goal. Rating: 8/10
Alex Mighten (for Surridge, 76mins): He’ll have enjoyed that one! Lovely run to find the net and help boost the goal difference. Rating: 8.5/10
Richie Laryea (for Colback, 83mins): Made a terrific run late on to set up a chance. Not short of pace. Rating: 8/10
Not used: Horvath, Cafu, Taylor, Figueiredo.
