Swansea City 1-4 Nottingham Forest (EFL Championship) 11.12.21

It was a memorable return to Swansea for Steve Cooper who as Nottingham Forest Head Coach these days, lead his new team against his former side to comprehensive victory at the Liberty Stadium.

A scoreless first half was evenly matched with a couple of early bookings, including one for the returning full back Jordi Osei-Tutu in his first game for the Reds since being substituted in the home defeat against Blackburn Rovers with injury back in August.

Forest not offering much in attack early on, had one chance from Zinckernagel blocked on 22 after Brennan Johnson released Djed Spence to cross in to the Danish winger who’s goal bound effort was well defended and put out for a corner.

Seven minutes before half time, Swansea had their best opportunity prior to the break, Ntcham firing over from inside the box after a Grimes free kick found the Frenchman before Piroe shot over on 41 from inside the area when he should have done better.

Steve Cooper’s pep-talk at the interval though paid immediate dividends for Forest who twice breached the Swans net in quick succession. Grabban to Zinckernagel who powerfully finished past Hamer on 48 before two minutes later, Johnson crossing in to Grabban who finished from close range to make it 2-0 to the away side.

Swansea did pull a goal back on 63 minutes when Piroe’s strike deflected past Samba but the Reds shortly after restored their two-goal cushion, Brennan Johnson poking home after Osei-Tutu’s tame shot was parried out back to the young Welsh international who netted his fourth Forest goal this season with onlooking dad in the stands watching and celebrating with the garibaldi tifosi.

The Reds looked to comfortably see out the three points in Wales but not happy with three goals, substitute Cafu made it four in the final few seconds, firing home first time after good wing play by Lyle Taylor.

The win marks a welcome return to Wales for Steve Cooper and is a huge three points for Forest who leave their own mark on the EFL Championship as they continue to climb progressively up the table.

Now up to eighth, Forest are excitingly just four points below the playoff places.

Swansea City: Hamer, Bennett, Downes, Cabango, Laird (Latibeaudiere 45), Grimes, Smith (Obafemi 56), Manning, Ntcham, Paterson, Piroe.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Spence, Worrall, McKenna, Osei-Tutu (Bong 89), Yates, Colback, Johnson, Garner, Zinckernagel (Cafu 67), Grabban (Taylor 86).

Venue: Liberty Stadium

*Main image @NFFC celebrations as Forest run riot in Wales.