Nottingham Forest produced a stunning comeback to defeat table-topping Leeds United at the City Ground yesterday afternoon.
The Reds scored three goals in seven second-half minutes to secure their first win in six league games.
Midfield maestro Jack Colback netted a brace before Daryl Murphy and Ben Osborn rubbed salt into Leeds’ wounds, firing Forest firmly back into the race for a top six finish.
The performance was perhaps the most pleasing aspect for the Reds supporters to ponder with Aitor Karanka’s men coming from behind to claim all three points for the first time this season.
Following the contest, Seat Pitch rated the players as follows…
Costel Pantilimon 6
Made one decent save in particular from Kemar Roofe but the towering Romanian will be disappointed that Jack Clarke’s effort crept under his frame.
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Tendayi Darikwa 6
Not one of the right-back’s better performance and struggled against the athleticism of Ezgjan Alioski throughout.
Danny Fox 6
Fox failed to really compose himself alongside makeshift central defender Claudio Yacob. It was a tough afternoon for the Forest man up against a well-drilled Leeds attack.
Michael Hefele N/A
Hobbled off after just five minutes after picking up an innocuous looking injury. Another central defender on the treatment table is the last thing that boss Aitor Karanka needed.
Jack Robinson 6
Was given a torrid time by Jack Harrison in the first-half and Clarke in the second. The Forest left-back was probably fortunate to remain on the pitch after appearing to deny an obvious opportunity to score a goal in the first half.
Jack Colback 9 – Seat Pitch Star Man
Capped a fine display with two vital goals, showcasing all of the qualities which make him so important to Nottingham Forest. The Newcastle United man is out of contract this summer and the Reds would be wise to act quickly to sign him permanently.
Claudio Yacob 7
The Argentinean was the surprise choice to replace Hefele at the heart of the back four following his early withdrawal. Yacob didn’t look the most comfortable he ever as on a football pitch but he produced several good tackles to thwart Leeds in the attack.
Matty Cash 8
It says it all that Cash could hardly walk at the end of the game such was his commitment to the cause. Cash was a driving influence and often tried to get Forest moving in the right direction.
Joao Carvalho 7
Dropped deep quite often to pick up possession and that isn’t really Carvalho at his best. The youngster showed flashes of brilliance but was kept at bay by the Leeds rearguard.
Joe Lolley 6
In truth, the former Huddersfield man didn’t look fit from the get-go. Struggled to get going and was withdrawn in the second half.
Daryl Murphy 8
The target man timed his best performance in a Forest shirt to perfection. The uncompromising striker scored a stunning header to restore the Reds’ one-goal advantage and worked tirelessly on his own in attack.
Substitutes
Adlene Guedioura 7 (Hefele, 5′)
Played the majority of the contest having replaced Hefele early doors. Was occasionally wasteful in possession but worked superbly well in tandem with Colback in the middle of the park.
Ben Osborn 8 (Lolley, 65′)
Produced a stunning cameo which saw him stick a beauty of a cross in for Murphy’s goal before helping himself to a well-taken goal. This was Osborn at his best and on this showing, he will be pushing for a start next week.
Arvin Appiah N/A (Murphy, 90+4)
The youngster was handed his league debut deep into stoppage time.