Gunnarsson the ice-cool saviour
ARON GUNNARSSON scored a goal at one end and then saved one the other to keep Cardiff on course for a return to the Premier League after a five-year absence.
The Iceland star struck in the 75th minute with his first goal of an injury-ravaged season to keep Cardiff ahead of Fulham in the race to join champions Wolves in automatic promotion.
There were no signs of nerves in the home ranks after the gauntlet was thrown down by their closest rivals for the second automatic promotion spot.
Needing nine points from four matches to reach 92 points, one more than Fulham can achieve, they went into the game knowing they could be back in the Premier League by next Saturday night.
To their credit, Forest pushed forward and made plenty of ground in the first half- hour. Joe Lolley caused many problems with his direct running and hit an early warning shot inches over the over the bar in the ninth minute.
Neil Etheridge was far busier in the home goal than his counterpart at the other end, Stefanos Kapino, and had to move quickly off his line to smother a shot on the angle from Liam Bridcutt. For their part, City pumped plenty of crosses into the box as they tried to exploit a well known weakness in Forest’s defensive make-up.
In the end, the visitors cracked under the pressure. Icelander Aron Gunnarsson just missed with a point-blank volley from a Joe Ralls corner in the 32nd minute before Ralls’ second left-footed inswinger three minutes later was flighted perfectly for skipper Sean Morrison to head home. It was the 13th time they have conceded from a corner this season.
The second half got off to flying start with Kenneth Zohore thinking he had bagged his side’s second goal two minutes after the restart, only for Bridcutt to level the scores three minutes later.
Zohore was sent sprinting goalwards by a brilliant piece of play by Gunnarsson, who picked up a loose ball in his own half, carried up to halfway and then sent an inch perfect pass into the stride of his Danish striker.
On his favoured left foot, Zohore sped into the box beat the keeper, but then saw his shot hit the post, run along the goal line and then get cleared by Danny Fox. Having almost been two goals adrift, within moments Forest attacked down the right flank.
Ben Osborn outpaced Sol Bamba and his low cross was met perfectly by Bridcutt 10 yards out from goal. His deft touch easily beat the advancing Etheridge.
Zohore got his revenge in the 75th minute when he won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Junior Hoilett’s deep cross was headed back across goal by Bamba and Gunnarsson smashed the ball home.