Nottingham Forest ended their long winless run in dramatic style as they came back late on to beat Norwich City 2-1 at the City Ground. Late goals from Britt Assombalonga and Michail Antonio helped cancel out an early opener from Jonny Howson which put Norwich 1-0 up. This was Forest's first win since the 5-3 success over Fulham in mid-September and they will now look to push themselves back up the table.
Forest began the first half looking much the better team. They were passing the ball around well and looked much better against a Norwich team who you could tell were low on confidence themselves after a 4-0 defeat to Middlesborough in mid-week. Tom Ince was agonizingly close to getting his first goal for Forest as his quick left footed shot was just inches over finding the top left hand corner after great work from Antonio down the wing. However, Forest were made to pay for poor defending yet again just minutes after. Russell Martin and Jonny Howson combined well on the right hand side and left Howson left Dan Harding for dead as he ran into the area unchallenged and coolly slotted past Karl Darlow at the far post. It was a huge blow for Forest who hadn't made their bright start to the game count and had been punished by Norwich's first meaningful attack. Norwich then had an absolutely fantastic chance to go 2-0 up in the game and give Forest a mountain to climb. Lewis Grabban had a free header from just a couple of yards out and failed to hit the target. Forest then noticeably lost their confidence again as they had done in previous matches. This allowed Norwich to become very dominant as they saw the half out leading 1-0. A minority of the Forest faithful booed their team off at half time.
Stuart Pearce again made changes at half time with Jamie Paterson coming on for Tom Ince who for long periods of the first half just didn't look interested. Forest started the second half okay creating several half chances for both Antonio and Assombalonga. Forest could have leveled the scores as Michail Antonio just failed to connect with an inviting cross from Henri Lansbury. Forest then finally had a breakthrough. Matty Fryatt did some good work in and around the box and managed to find a neat pass to Britt Assombalonga who managed to tap the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-1. Forest could have made it 2-1 immediately after as Britt Assombalonga raced through on goal only for his shot to be blocked after he cut inside. Norwich then immediately began to attack again as they searched for a late winning goal and an immediate response from the equalizer. It was from a Norwich corner where the biggest moment of the game came from. Forest managed to clear the corner and Jamie Paterson picked the ball up in his own half. He then delivered what was a beautiful ball to Assombalonga who found himself with acres of space to run in to. He then delivered a fantastic through ball for Antonio to run through on goal. Antonio ran through and slotted the ball into the bottom corner and lift the roof of the City Ground. It was a mixture of joy and relief in the celebrations as Forest went 2-1 ahead. Forest then just about managed to see out the final minute or so of injury time and secure what was a massive confidence boosting win.
Overall, this wasn't the best performance from Forest but was an absolutely massive result. It was so important that Forest went into the international break on a high after what has been a dismal run of form. There is no better way to win a match than score two late goals after being 1-0 down for so long. There is no doubt that Pearce and the players will be absolutely buzzing with the win and now be much more looking forward to Wolves than they would of been if they had lost. It has now put Forest back on track as they sit just three points off the play off places and seven points behind Derby who sit top of the table. The international break now provides time for Pearce to work on the defence and make sure we are a lot more solid for the next round of games. If he manages to do this then it could be the start of another good run to push us back up the table.
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