The memories of Nottingham Forest’s glorious past will be revived later this month after this victory over Huddersfield set up an FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool – one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history.
Football fans of a certain age will remain Brian Clough’s teams that won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980, and were one of English football’s elite clubs for the decade that followed until their sudden decline in the 1990s.
Though they have some way to go to reach the level of the modern Liverpool, Forest have made clear progress under the management of Steve Cooper. They are contenders for a play-off spot in the Championship and this result will only increase optimism around the City Ground as they try to ruin Jurgen Klopp’s attempts to land a quadruple.
Sam Surridge equalised for Nottingham Forest with a fine finish in the 29th minute
Huddersfield also have their eyes on the Premier League and despite a significantly-altered side, Tom Lees headed them into a 13th minute lead moments after Forest striker Sam Surridge controversially had a goal chalked off for offside.
But the home side fought back and first-half efforts from Surridge and Ryan Yates were enough to send Town to their first defeat since November 27.
Huddersfield had not been to round six since 1972 while Forest’s last appearance at this stage of the competition was in 1996.
With both teams chasing promotion, and with crucial fixtures ahead, changes were inevitable, though Town boss Carlos Corberan raised eyebrows by leaving out six of those who started the 3-0 win over Peterborough last Friday.
One of the new men, goalkeeper Jamal Blackman, was beaten in the 11th minute when Sam Surridge side-footed home Brennan Johnson’s excellent cross, only to be frustrated by a linesman’s flag. VAR was not in place for this tie and Surridge was convinced he had been treated harshly.
Forest’s mood darkened when Huddersfield took the lead barely two minutes later. From Dane Sinani’s in-swinging corner, Lees found room at the near post to power a header beyond Ethan Horvath from close range, as defenders stood and watched.
Midfielder Ryan Yates put the home side ahead with a header in the 37th minute
Despite the setback, Forest still looked lively in attack, with youngsters Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson making the Huddersfield defence jittery. Dressed all in black, Corberan could not keep still on the touchline as he cajoled and gestured throughout, his staff imitating him.
Matty Pearson made two vital interceptions to curtail Forest attacks but when Surridge’s chance came again, he was not to be denied. Ryan Yates burst into Town territory and though Naby Sarr’s sliding challenge stopped him in his tracks, the ball broke perfectly for Surridge to guide it into the top corner.
It was no more than Forest deserved yet they nearly fell behind again in the 33rd minute. After Jonathan Hogg won the ball from Johnson, a clever dummy let in Pipa, whose effort hit the post before Sorba Thomas drove the follow-up straight at Horvath.
Four minutes later, Forest seized the edge in this thrilling tie. Garner’s free-kick from the left was headed in forcefully by Yates, with Huddersfield this time guilty of poor marking at a set piece.
Tom Lees put the visitors ahead with a header from a corner in the 13th minute
Corberan made two early second-half substitutions, throwing on Harry Toffolo and top scorer Danny Ward, and his side’s penalty appeals were rejected when Duane Holmes tumbled under pressure from Steve Cook.
That brought a change of system with Town going to a back four with two strikers yet initially, the move did not cause too much alarm to the Forest defence.
Pipa had been a clever presence on the right of Huddersfield’s attack and one incursion earned Town a free-kick on the edge of the box. Ward’s strike with his left foot bent around the wall and was creeping inside the far post until Horvath pushed it away to a huge roar from a City Ground crowd who were starting to see the finishing line.
And Horvath thwarted Ward once more with 15 minutes left, this time flying to his left to push behind the forward’s rising drive.
At the other end, Spence had the chance to deliver the decisive blow yet lost his cool and shot high after substitute Keinan Davis’ run and cross had laid the ball on a plate for the Middlesbrough loanee. Then it was Garner’s turn to fluff a simple chance when Johnson’s cross picked him out at the far post.
Steve Cooper’s side booked a home FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool on March 20