The ball is attracted to Nottingham Forest playmaker Joao Carvalho at all times… even when he is on the bench!
The sight of the Portuguese among the substitutes against Derby on Tuesday was a welcome one for the Reds.
Seeing him get on the field drew a jubilant response.
A rather fortuitous goal was an added bonus.
As is the fact that the 22-year-old was still in one piece when taking to the field!
A bruised ego is the worst he carried with him.
Perhaps a rather sore jaw as well!
That is because a man with the golden touch saw his reflexes briefly desert him while waiting for his introduction.
Funny
Carvalho was able to see the funny side of taking a ball to the face.
Events on the field had helped to lift the mood of everyone inside the City Ground.
Along with several thousand more keeping up to date with events from afar.
A midweek date with arch-rivals could not have really gone any better.
Three goals, a clean sheet, bragging rights, eye-catching performances and a place in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
What more could you ask for?
Carvalho’s appearance off the bench was the icing on the cake.
With his second-half goal hammering home the fact that this was very much Forest’s night.
He knew little about his effort until the ball hit the back of the net.
Much like his earlier experience with said spherical object!
Inadvertent
__VIDEO__
Even when taking his eye off the ball, though, Carvalho is still able to do something with it.
His inadvertent touch in the dugout made its way to the feet of Lewis Grabban!
Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.
Sabri Lamouchi told the Nottingham Post afterwards: “He scored. It was lucky. But it was a good start for him.
“Now the question mark is to check him (for Saturday).
“Of course he could start the next game. They are all ready to start the next game.”
Forest fans will be hoping to see plenty more of Carvalho over the coming weeks.
Preferably on the pitch rather than in the firing line on the sidelines!
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
