The easy way, the hard way, the Nottingham Forest way. The Reds are into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the second time in four years after beating Ipswich Town on penalties.
Nuno Espirito Santo saw his team come from behind in this one. George Hirst gave the Tractor Boys the lead against the run of play, with Ryan Yates equalising after heading home from a pin-point Anthony Elanga cross.
It stayed that way until the penalty shootout when once again Forest had to hold their nerve to prevail. In the previous round at Exeter, the Reds managed to bag all four of the penalties they took and here the team scored all five, with Matz Sels saving from Jack Taylor to send the team through.
The Belgian’s save sparked wild celebrations at the City Ground. Forest are now just a single game away from Wembley Stadium and face the prospect of a one-off game against Brighton to make it there.
Nottingham Forest video emerges that supporters will absolutely love
This is a bit of a turn up for the books. Although a penalty shootout win to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup deserves celebrating, Nuno Espirito Santo is normally very reserved on the touchline.
Against Exeter, Espirito Santo didn’t even watch the penalties that were taken against the League One outfit. Here, he stood pensive on the touchline and as Jack Taylor saw his penalty saved, the emotion came out.
Espirito Santo was off. The outstretched palm of Sels was akin to when Usain Bolt heard starter’s orders at the Olympics and it’s a wonder he didn’t pull his hamstring with how he sprinted after his goalkeeper.
It was a video that will make supporters feel really fuzzy inside. Although Espirito Santo has been somewhat more passionate this season, that side of him has been infrequent since he came to the club and it’s provided a really touching video doing the rounds on social media.
Forest are in safe hands under Espirito Santo
A good cup run can only be a good thing. Although Forest have a strong squad, it’s a small one and it’s vital that the fringe players get the chance to get some minutes.
One positive from the win over Ipswich was that Taiwo Awoniyi, Danilo, Alex Moreno, Morato and Ibrahim Sangare all got extra minutes under their belt ready for the Premier League fixtures to come.
The Reds needed their main men to come on but under Espirito Santo the team are in safe hands. He knows what he’s doing at this level and there is definitely more to come from the team in the coming weeks.
It’s been a bit of a sticky few weeks for the Reds lately. However, there have been signs of light emerging from the end of the tunnel with the result against Arsenal last week and this win that sets up a last eight clash in the FA Cup.
Espirito Santo hasn’t been handed it easy replacing Steve Cooper. However, the fan base are now universally behind him and this could become a truly special season in the next month or two.
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