Not such a shock as Reds revel in spotlight

CUP upset? In name only. This was no plucky performance; a lowerranked team riding their luck to pick off one of the big guns.

It was Nottingham Forest offering the wider public a glimpse of the buzz Steve Cooper is creating on the banks of the Trent.

And how they revelled in it. The City Ground was built for nights such as this.

Arsenal arrived with plenty of household names – both on and off the pitch – in their ranks. They even had Hollywood actor Idris Elba in their corner, as he promoted the club’s “No More Red” initiative.

But it was Forest who had the star quality, Forest who flourished in the full glare of the media spotlight and Forest who cruised into the fourth round with the kind of performance which should give them belief for what they want to achieve this season.

It would have been easy to treat this tie as a distraction, to have trotted out the “league is the priority” line and named a below-strength line-up.

Instead, Cooper saw it as part of the project.

The Reds have faced Arsenal plenty of times in cup contests in recent years – “again?” was the joke when the draw was made. But their goal is to start playing them on a more regular basis by making the step up to the Premier League.

Sunday showed they are starting to build something special.

■A Cup shock?

Only in that Forest knocked out a higher opponent. That kind of display, though, didn’t really come as any great surprise to anyone who has been watching them recently.

Still, it was an incredible night. The stadium was rocking when Lewis Grabban stretched to poke home a delicious Ryan Yates cross for the only goal of the game. Wild scenes of celebration in the stands spilled on to the pitch as the emotion got the better of a few.

There was almost a mini crowd surf by Djed Spence as he leapt on his team-mates in front of the Trent End.

Next up in the Cup, Leicester City. The holders. You wouldn’t bet against the Reds doing the same again.

■Stepping stone

Forest have produced some fantastic moments already this season since Cooper took charge. The hope is there will be many more to come.

But don’t try telling the Welshman he has “turned things around” at the club.

That point was put to him in his post-match press conference and he quickly corrected his inquisitor.

“We’re only looking forward,” he said. “We haven’t turned it around. I don’t like that, when people say it. How can you turn it around? This football club has got a lot of work to do. A lot of work to do and a lot of progress to be made.

“I’ve heard a few people say that and I don’t like it. I’m not being disrespectful.

“We’re going OK, I’m really pleased with the players’ application and how they are approaching the work, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.”

The hosts were worthy winners in front of the TV cameras, though. They were by far the better side.

Prior to successive defeats in their last two League games, they had built up some momentum. This result can help them do the same again as they turn their attention back to the Championship.

At the same time, it will have given the club a taste of the top flight. If anything, that fire in the belly will be burning even brighter.

■Impressive debuts

Two out of Forest’s three January signings so far were included in the starting 11, with Richie Laryea watching on from the stands.

Both Keinan Davis and Steve Cook immediately looked like part of the team, settling in straight away.

Cook, in particular, looked as though he’d been playing alongside Joe Worrall and Scott Mckenna all his life. He was immense in what has the makings of being a very formidable back line.

Not only was his experience and leadership evident, but he also weighed in with a terrific block to thwart Eddie Nketiah in the second half.

Up front, Davis brought something different. He has the potential to be a really good forward option in the second half of the season.

Clearly fired up from the start, he wasn’t afraid of getting stuck in and ruffling a few feathers. And there was no shortage of work-rate either, with his hold-up play also very good.

He’s a different type of striker to Grabban and Lyle Taylor, more of an old-fashioned centre-forward.

The early signs are that the Reds have done some good business already this month, with Cooper suggesting he hopes there is more to come.

■Sparkling Spence

Fresh from confirmation he is to spend the rest of the season at the City Ground, the full-back put in a simply outstanding display.

He was head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch.

He had Gabriel Martinelli’s number throughout, made no end of rampaging runs and never stopped

going all night.

His link-up with Brennan Johnson keeps getting better and better, too. The pair are very much on the same wavelength – so much so that between them they managed to send the stricken Nuno Taveres packing after just half an hour.

The Portuguese suffering the indignity of being subbed in the first half.

Spence had his family in the crowd. He came out to meet them post-match by the tunnel, with some wearing Forest shirts bearing his name on the back. Hugs were dished out and photos posed for, including with Cooper for one on the pitch.

He’s understood to already have a few admirers and no doubt he will have collected more, given plenty of eyes were on that match.

Whatever happens longer term, though, he will be a key player in the Garibaldi over the next few months.

■Collective display

Spence was the stand-out, but it was far from a one-man show against the Gunners. Everyone contributed.

From Jack Colback – in his lessfavoured left wing-back role – keeping Bukayo Saka quiet, to Yates’ pass, James Garner picking out passes, Cafu coming off the bench and looking sharp, it was very much a team performance. And a thoroughly deserved win.

That it came amid an electric atmosphere on home turf made it even more special.

Forest’s aim will be to ensure there are many more such occasions between now and May.