The 2024/25 Premier League season saw Anthony Elanga enjoy his best campaign to date.
The Swedish winger was a vital part of Nottingham Forest’s best top-flight finish since the 1994-95 season, featuring in every Premier League game, scoring six goals, and providing 11 assists.
Reflecting on the season following its conclusion, Elanga has since named his favourite moment.
Interestingly, he didn’t go with Forest’s 7-0 win against Brighton at the City Ground in February, in which Elanga provided three assists, choosing instead to go with one more personal.
Anthony Elanga says his solo goal against Manchester United is his favourite moment of the 2024/25 Premier League season
Speaking to the Premier League, Elanga was asked the specific question of what his favourite moment from the season was.
The 23-year-old was clear in his response, stating: ‘I’d say scoring that solo goal against [Manchester] United.’
The winger rightly received plaudits for the goal at the time, in which he carried the ball 85 metres in just nine seconds before slotting past Andre Onana in the United goal.
Speaking to TNT Sports in the immediate aftermath of that game, Elanga also explained what was going through his mind as he picked up the ball on the edge of his own box.
The Sweden international said: “It’s just about attacking the space and getting to the opposite goal as quickly as I can.
“I just saw the space and I thought, ‘attack’. Dribble with my left foot, dribble with my right foot. Just try and stay strong and drive all the way to the box.
“Then it’s about being as composed as possible in that area.”
Having this composure was just as important as the sprint itself, according to Elanga: “You can run as fast as that, but you have got to be calm when it comes to the other side of the goal. And if it’s left foot or right foot, I feel as though I’m quite comfortable on both this season.”
Three of Nottingham Forest’s best moments from a historic campaign
Taken from a wider perspective, Forest’s win against Manchester United at the City Ground was also one of the best moments from the season because it ensured the club did the league double over the Red Devils for the first time since the 1992-93 season, when Brian Clough was at the helm.
The 7-0 demolition of Brighton must surely rank as an even better moment, however, owing to the standard of performance and the fact that it was the club’s biggest-ever Premier League victory.
Forest’s win against the Seagulls in the FA Cup should also be considered as one of the top three moments from the campaign.
While it ultimately led to disappointment against Manchester City, a day out at Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final should never be discounted.
Perhaps the best moment from the season, however, was the club’s 1-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield.
The only top-flight club to beat Arne Slot’s side at that venue this season, it was also the first time Forest had beaten Liverpool away from home in any competition since 1969.
Elanga played a key role in the goal, too, providing a lovely switch of play to allow Callum Hudson-Odoi to bend home.
For that reason, the win against Liverpool must be up there as one of the best moments of Forest’s campaign.
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