No relief in cup as the Reds crash to Wolves
SECOND-HALF FLURRY SEES OFF FOREST AT THE CITY GROUND
NOTTINGHAM Forest were knocked out of the Carabao Cup when they fell 4-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round at the City Ground.
While Reds boss Chris Hughton fielded a largely young, inexperienced 11, Wanderers travelled with a strong squad – and it was largely one-way traffic in the first half.
In the opening 45 minutes, the visitors had 74 per cent possession and 13 shots at goal, compared to the Reds’ one, with Ethan Horvath doing his best to keep his team in contention at the break.
The American keeper was called into action as early as the sixth minute, showing quick reactions to keep out an effort from Daniel Podence after he latched on to Rayan Aitnouri’s ball across the box.
And he was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers throughout, as a slick Wanderers side applied plenty of pressure.
Podence was at it again in the 10th minute, trying to round Horvath before going for a cute backheeled attempt, which the Forest stopper and Baba Fernandes combined to keep out.
A long-range strike from the lively Ait-nouri was then scooped up by Horvath with 16 minutes gone as the away side continued to push forward.
The closest the Reds came to working an opening before the break came with 20 minutes gone, when a free kick found Lewis Grabban at the back post, but his effort was quickly charged down.
Wolves were soon back down the other end and almost took the lead, Podence dancing his way into the area before unleashing a strike.
Somehow, his effort hit the inside of the post and bounced back into the grateful arms of Horvath to keep the scores level at the interval.
Forest, though, almost bagged the opener after the restart.
A cross from Ateef Konate was met by Oliver Hammond, with his header across goal going just wide of the post.
But two goals in the space of two minutes put Wolves firmly in control.
Romain Saiss finished off Ki-jana Hoever’s cross for the first, with the Reds barely having time to draw breath before Podence swept home following a slick attack for the second.
Horvath then denied Fabio Silva with a strong stop, but Francisco Trincao and Morgan Gibbs-white wrapped things up with further goals, in the space of two minutes right at the death.