Nottingham Forest defeated Derby County 1-0 at the City Ground on Saturday. Lewis Grabban capitalised on a Jayden Bogle error in the 56th minute to ensure a massive three points for the Reds.
It was the third win in succession for Forest over their fierce rivals from along the A52 and sent Sabri Lamouchi’s men into the latest international break in fifth place.
In truth, the game proved a scrappy affair. Tom Lawrence went close for the Rams early doors before Sammy Ameobi stung Kelle Roos’ palms in Forest’s best chance of the first half.
(Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The second half was one of few chances but Forest’s constant probing paid off when Grabban smashed home after a comical error from the highly-rated Bogle.
With back-to-back away games against Bristol City and QPR after the break, three points was a must for the promotion-chasing Reds.
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Some former Forest players were impressed with the performance on Saturday and reacted in jubilant fashion on Twitter.
Nicky Southall spent two years at Forest scoring 13 goals in 67 appearances for the Reds. He is currently the assistant manager at Maidstone United and reacted to the Forest performance with two tweets:
Silence of the Lambs
— Nicky southall (@SouthallNicky) November 10, 2019
So been really busy today giant killing with Dover I’m stripping it down bare get in the forest 🌳 v the rams 🐑 we will take that don’t we love the place #cityground
— Nicky southall (@SouthallNicky) November 10, 2019
Alan Rogers played for Forest in the Premier League during his career and he chose to tweet just four words following the full-time whistle:
Get in there Forest. 🌲
— Alan Rogers (@alanrog3) November 9, 2019
David Johnson saw his son Brennan get on the pitch for the closing stages of the contest.
The 18-year-old has broken into the first-team this season, with the youngster earning a few appearances so far during the campaign.
Johnson Sr netted 50 goals during a five-year period at the football club. He went on loan twice but was bang in form during the 2002/03 campaign.
He tweeted an image of a banner that was revealed on the day of the game:
3pts and a clean sheet @NFFC 😍THIS IS NOTTINGHAM ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/jaRpg2BmVT
— JOHNO (@davidaj09) November 9, 2019
Despite these three players having not played for the club for many years the willingness to see Forest defeat Derby still burns strong.
The Reds clearly have a special place in the heart of all of these three and it’s great to see three former professionals backing the club in their quest for promotion.