NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2
0
The Spaniard got Boro promoted but was axed during a miserable Premier League campaign.
Now he’s inspiring Forest, who have lost only once all season and became promotion contenders after banking their first away win.
Goals from Joe Lolley and Lewis Grabban claimed the points, despite Jack Robinson seeing red late on.
That sparked an inquest at Boro, with Tony Pulis scathing.
They missed chances in front of goal, and the chance to go top, conceding for the first time in 499 minutes at home in the league.
They were jeered off and slipped to fourth with Forest a place behind.
Karanka said: “I’m really pleased with the performance. We have improved a lot. It is a real step forward.
“It is not more special a victory because I was manager here, because this club is always special for me. Always in my heart.
“As an opponent it is just three points. My first time back here in April was incredible.
“The position on the table is a now reflection on the team. We deserve it. Now we’re fifth because we are growing as a team.
“They have an amazing squad and amazing, experienced manager and they are one of the best in the league, if not the best.”
Pulis said: “We started really, really poorly. We were like a bag of potatoes. Sloppy and on the back foot. We never got going.
“It was a dreadful goal to concede. We’re not like that.
“We have had 36 crosses in and not had many opportunities.
“You can’t rely on the team to keep clean sheets. No one saw that performance coming.”
Boro had five clean sheets at home in the league this season until Lolley struck.
It was a special goal, the sort needed to break down such a mean defence. Lolley, 26, who built his career from non-league, looked the best player on the pitch.
Daryl Murphy broke on the counter attack and slipped the ball left to Lolley who popped home from an angle 25 yards out. Forest should have eqaulised when Britt Assombalonga was through on goal but his weak shot was saved.
Pulis said: “The big turning point was Britt’s chance. Score then 60 minutes in, and it is a different atmosphere.
“When you get chances you have to take them.”
Instead Lolley created Forest’s second. He was slipped inside Ryan Shotton by Ben Watson’s probing ball.
Former England C international Lolley whipped over a cross and substitute Grabban smashed in from close range.
It was a dominant Forest show marred only by Jack Robinson being sent off with 10 minutes to go – after a second yellow card for diving in Boro’s box.