Nottingham Forest 3-1 Luton Town (EFL Championship) 19.01.20

On a sunny and frosty Sunday afternoon Trentside, Nottingham Forest came out of a potential banana skin fixture without slipping up despite going behind to bottom of the table Luton Town who have now lost eleven straight away games in all competitions.

In truth, Luton confidence suffering on the road didn’t initially look like a team at the foot of the table as the away side started well as the Reds laboured in getting to gear with the early kick off time.

Forest were slow and sluggish whilst Luton enjoyed the early sparring with Dan Potts going close blazing over from a set play when he should have done better.

On 15 minutes Michael Dawson headed Forest’s first chance into the side netting from a right wing corner but it was Luton who took the lead on 23 after some intricate football down the left saw Potts and Lua Lua combine before Potts crossed low for Cornick to tap home.

That goal, an early knockdown but nothing more than a standing eight count gave Forest the rocket they needed and the game spurred into life. First Adomah struck wide then Tiago Silva improvised as he looped a volley just over the cross bar. Luton had half a chance themselves but as the game opened out it was Lolley, often a threat down the right who cut in and shot low for the equaliser.

Lolley’s shot low to the goalkeepers left was spilled badly by Sluga the Croatian in the Luton Town goal but the Hatters keeper made up for it moments later when he saved from Worrall at point blank range.

With the scores level at half time Forest came out of the blocks in the second half with intent and Lolley fired over before the moment of the match on 58 minutes. Ben Watson superbly spread out the ball to Lolley who cut in from the left and blasted hard through the goalkeepers arms from the edge of the area to put the Reds in the lead.

That goal knocked the stuffing out of Luton and the Reds dictated play with Sabri’s side managing the game out in comfortable fashion. Substitute Ameobi went close firing wide before Lolley went on a mazy dribble in search of his hat-trick.

Brice Samba relatively quiet was forced to make one save from James Collins down low to his left but as time drew out Luton lacked ideas and it was Forest who wrapped things up when a Tiago Silva free kick was handled inside the area allowing Lewis Grabban to smash home straight down the middle to net goal number 15 of the season.

A game that Forest might have lost in previous seasons was a comprehensive victory in the end with the gulf of class evident proving that Forest are well worthy of their playoff spot.

Next up now for Forest is Reading at home on Tuesday where a win could take the Reds back up to third.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Cash, Dawson, Worrall, Ribeiro, Sow, Watson, Silva (Carvalho 90), Lolley (Yates 83), Adomah (Ameobi 67), Grabban.

Luton Town: Sluga, Bree, Pearson, Bradley, Potts, Rea (Lee 72), Cornick (Moncur 50), Mpanzu, Tunnicliffe, Lua Lua, Collins.

Venue: City Ground (27,081)

*Main image @NFFC Joe Lolley strikes home the goal of the game to give Forest the lead.