Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle United *3-4 pens (EFL Cup Round Two) 29.08.24
A much changed Nottingham Forest were beaten by Newcastle United at the City Ground but only out after valiant fight.
After a frantic start, Forest stabilised, but despite their most valiant, and in many ways impressive efforts, Newcastle came out victorious, advancing to the Carabao Cup 3rd round.
The first half
Well, perhaps the most atrocious start to a half I’ve seen. Miguel’s long ball is immediately won back by Newcastle, Tonali puts it to Isak who runs into the space left by Zach Abbott on the far side, shoots first time. Miguel saves, but parry’s it to the on-running Willock – 18 seconds in, the Toon lead. Forest, nervous, to say the least.
Despite the clamour of the fans, confused at what they had just witnessed, Forest stabilised – suring up the midfield was Dominguez & Anderson, both did superbly. Soon, calm would prevail, and Forest could get to work, with a team changed completely, bar Anderson, from the Southampton win.
Debuts for Silva, Sosa, Moreira & Miguel at the City Ground, good ones too – all of them shone, an showed real quality.
Silva’s relentless press, Sosa’s incredibly quick feet, Moreira’s physicality & forward outlook, then Miguel’s physics-defining movement, made it a very promising debut for those mentioned – huge parts in the first half performance, for which Forest, I thought, were the better side after the goal.
However, no goals, score still in Newcastle’s favour.
The second half
This time, Forest wanted to start well – once again, that man Jota Silva got involved heavily, and really put his stamp on the game early on.
Soon, Forest would get that early goal though – the ball was placed into the penalty area, headed onto the penalty box, and Jota Silva fires it into the post and in, first time on the volley. Newcastle players watched on, in shock, nailed to the ground, with Pope completely unable to save. 1-1. What a goal.
The game kept at a similar intensity for a while, those aforementioned debut-makers causing headaches for Newcastle, while the former Toon man, Anderson, eased around the pitch, holding off the stars in Tonali, Guimarães, et al. He was excellent, his composure and temperament as a whole was a real spectacle.
Forest brought on many subs, removing many of the players making debuts, and soon the game lost some momentum for the Reds; however, the new subs added different skill sets, and that didn’t necessarily kill the game for Forest.
Newcastle did have the edge over the second half in the end, the likes of Gordon coming on added more tenacity, and attacking prowess.
The game went to penalties soon though, a great 90 or so minutes before, but the deadlock now needed to be broken.
It was all going well for Forest, goals and a save from Miguel, but Sangaré’s crossbar missed and Taiwo’s shot into the Trent end cancelled out a good performance, with the Magpies advancing into the third round.
A tough moment for both Sangare & Awoniyi, who both played well when on. Confidence has already taken some hits for both of them, especially Awoniyi due to injuries, and now I can only hope they use this to fuel their motivation to succeed with Forest, and push forward despite the critics. Two excellent players there, and when confident, have shown just how important they are to this Forest side.
An unfortunate loss on Trent side, but Forest can find solace in a solid performance, with much of the game played by a team of players with little game time together.
Now onto a game against Wolves, in which the Reds will be eying more than simply a draw.
*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFC Neco Williams scored a penalty for Forest.
