ON-FIRE FOREST FACE KOP
It’s Liverpool up next for Cooper’s troopers
STEVE COOPER’S Nottingham Forest came from behind to set up an exciting FA Cup quarter-final clash with his former club Liverpool.
First-half goals from Sam Surridge and Ryan Yates teed up a huge quarter-final at the City Ground on March 6.
The hosts rallied after falling behind to Tom Lees’ header to end Huddersfield’s 18-game unbeaten run as they suffered their first defeat since November in this entertaining, open tie.
The Terriers, roared on by 2,000 away supporters, were trying to reach the last eight of the competition for the first time since 1972.
They made six changes while
Forest only made two as Surridge came in for his first start under Cooper, who used to work in Liverpool’s academy.
The home side started well and had an effort ruled out for offside in the 11th minute when Brennan Johnson picked out Surridge to slide in.
It was quickly chalked off, despite it looking a very tight call, and with no VAR in this tie, Forest had to take the decision on the chin. Huddersfield benefited from the let-off to go on and open the scoring just two minutes later.
Defender Lees rose well after a clever run to the near post to nod in Danel Sinani’s corner with his third headed goal in two games.
But Forest levelled in the 29th minute when
Yates’ run into the box from James Garner’s pass was halted by Naby Sarr.
The ball broke for Surridge to side-foot home a first-time right-foot finish.
That was the first Forest goal for the striker (celebrating above with Johnson) since a January move from Stoke.
Town nearly regained the lead though in the 33rd minute when Pipa’s shot from the top of the box hit the post and rolled out into the path of Sorba Thomas who was denied by keeper Ethan Horvath.
So Forest survived and went in ahead when midfielder Yates timed his run perfectly to head home Garner’s inswinging free-kick in the 37th minute.
After the break Thomas, who should have scored in the first half, opted for power again as he
smashed a right-foot shot into the side-netting. American keeper Horvath also did well diving to his right to palm away a free-kick from sub Danny Ward. Horvath, who has displaced Brice Samba between the posts, made another decent save to deny Ward’s shot.
But Forest threw on dangerman Keinan Davis up front and he energised the home attack in front of nearly 28,000 fans. Davis, on loan from Aston Villa, picked out Djed Spence at the back post with a low cross only for the wing-back to blaze over when it looked easier to score. And Garner also spurned a glorious chance to clinch a more comfortable win, but Cooper’s men still held out.