Dougie’s big night is hit by Britt horror

DOUGIE Freedman’s 100 per cent record as Nottingham Forest manager continued, but his night was overshadowed by a serious knee injury to top- scorer Britt Assombalonga.

The £ 5million striker, above, gave Forest a 33rd- minute lead in what was Freedman’s fi rst home match in charge since succeeding Stuart Pearce. But he was carried off on a stretcher midway through the second half after suffering a horror injury.

Before that, Forest had added to his opener through goals from Chris Burke and Henri Lansbury as they built on their weekend win at Brighton, which was Freedman’s fi rst match as manager.

Ex- Forest player Freedman received a warm reception as he made his way to his seat at the City Ground and it was even better upon the fi nal whistle as he bids to win over any fans still unconvinced after his struggles at Bolton.

But the misery continues for his Scottish compatriot Malky Mackay, whose Wigan side are facing an increasingly diffi cult battle to stay in the Championship.

Forest made the breakthrough via Assombalonga as he latched on to Burke’s pinpoint pass before keeping his cool to bag his 15th goal of the season. They doubled the advantage fi ve minutes after the break, when Burke received the ball from Michail Antonio before letting fl y with a strike which fl ew in off the post despite Ali Al- Habsi’s best efforts.

It was his fi rst goal since the opening day of the campaign.

Lansbury then got in on the act on the hour with a stunning curler from 20 yards after being found by Assombalonga.

After the third goal, Forest fans chanted Freedman’s name for the fi rst time – and he responded by applauding the crowd.

But their night was soured when Assombalonga was carried off, requiring oxygen, after falling awkwardly.