Dion Dublin has raved about Nottingham Forest star Orel Mangala after the Reds defeated Aston Villa 2-0 yesterday. The midfielder scored the second goal of his City Ground career just after the half-time interval.
It proved a very good day for Forest against Villa. They scored early in both halves and claimed a vital three points to give themselves breathing space between the relegation zone.
Mangala has been integral to Forest this season. He’s managed to stay fit and crucially, he appears to have the backing of Steve Cooper who now views him as extremely important.
Dublin raves about Mangala
The Belgian maestro is bang in form. Mangala is never afraid to try his luck from distance and yesterday he was credited with a somewhat bizarre Forest goal.
His effort was ferocious but Emi Martinez seemingly got a strong hand to it. The Argentinean couldn’t force it around the post, however, and the ball bounced and then went over the line to give Forest a two-goal lead.
Dublin was impressed and said on Match of the Day 2: “What a strike that is by the way. Confident, great strike towards the top corner. I don’t know what the goalkeeper is doing.”
Mangala vital to Forest fortunes
The 25-year-old is a remarkably talented player. Nothing seems to faze Mangala and after some injury issues last season, he’s now very important to the Forest team.
Yesterday, the man who cost just £12.75 million was outstanding once again. Lining up alongside Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez, Cooper appears to have his midfield sorted.
Mangala always gives his all in a Forest shirt. He never shirks responsibility at either end of the pitch and it was great to see him get a goal that his performances of late have deserved yesterday.
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