Did he mean it? It was the only question being asked amid Nottingham Forest’s thumping victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Was it supposed to be a cross? Was he really going for goal from there? Like that?
Jack Colback left the entire City Ground, and his Reds teammates, gaping open-mouthed at a simply outrageous strike as the Baggies were seen off 4-0. Goal of the season sewn up right there - and even that doesn’t do it justice.
Read more: Forest boss sets out Keinan Davis stance after big injury blow
Read more: How the Reds rated against the Baggies
Boss Steve Cooper and striker Sam Surridge said afterwards the midfielder insisted it was a shot. Whether he really did mean it or not, it was a proper worldie from the former Newcastle United man. One that will go down in legend, particularly if Forest can provide a similar flourish to the campaign.
Questions answered
Colback’s strike was undoubtedly the pick of the bunch. The pick of any bunch, come to that.
But what was really important for Cooper’s side was to get back to winning ways, and to the kind of performances they had been doing prior to defeat at Luton Town.
Regardless of whether Friday’s 1-0 reverse was deserved or not, the Reds needed to show a response. They needed to bounce back; to avoid one disappointing result becoming any more than that.
They certainly did just that. Forest were more like their usual selves, compared to what had been a flat display at Kenilworth Road.
They didn’t let any nerves or edginess seep into their game, or allow frustrations over questionable refereeing decisions to linger. They simply put that one behind them and showed the kind of mental strength which can be key at this stage of the campaign.
Goals, goals, goals
It wasn’t just the result against the Hatters that provided a set-back. From that game, the Reds have lost striker Keinan Davis for the remainder of the regular season due to a hamstring injury.
It’s a blow. He has been immense since joining on loan from Aston Villa in January. The hope is that he might recover in time should Cooper’s side be in the play-offs.
But this team has coped with adversity and losing key players before, and they showed they will do so again. The head coach’s ‘next man up’ philosophy comes into play once more.
It wasn’t just Davis who was absent against the Baggies. Lewis Grabban, too, was ruled out, in his instance due to illness.
Two of their main forwards missing, but Forest still managed to score four goals. They showed once again that there is goal threat throughout the side - even if few would have banked on Colback providing it in that manner.
His was a stunning left-footed volley from an impossibly-tight angle on the left, latching on to Brennan Johnson’s cushioned pass and sending it looping over David Button into the far side of the net. That one deserves to be shown on a constant loop for several weeks to come.
Johnson had already got the ball rolling with a coolly-taken penalty. Ignoring the visitors’ attempts to get inside his head beforehand, he was nerveless from the spot.
And Ryan Yates had got back on the goal trail with a thumping header. Too late for those fans who had been keen to jump in the sea at Blackpool had he got on the scoresheet then. But he did salute the crowd by cheekily mimicking a few swimming strokes when he celebrated at the final whistle.
Starter Surridge
With Davis and Grabban out, Monday night was an opportunity for Sam Surridge. He was handed his first league start for the club.
He made the most of his chance, too. The 23-year-old is a different type of striker to either of his teammates, but he is very effective in his own way.
Surridge ran his socks off all evening, working for the cause. He covered plenty of ground, looked bright and sharp, and showed plenty of good touches.
All his performance needed was a goal to cap it off. And he finally got it right at the death.
In his short time with the Reds, Surridge has shown himself to be a clinical finisher. Each of the four goals he has scored have been delightful finishes, with his one against Albion guided into the net after being teed up by Philip Zinckernagel.
He had been pushing for a start in the Championship with some impressive appearances from off the bench. And it might well be tough to leave him out again at Peterborough United on Saturday, even if Grabban is available again.
Substitute appearances
There was a welcome boost for Forest to see Steve Cook return earlier than expected from an ankle injury. He replaced Scott McKenna in the second half and slotted straight back into the defence.
His return does give Cooper something of a selection dilemma, however. Tobias Figueiredo was excellent again - as he has been for much of the time Cook has been sidelined.
The latter is a big presence in the dressing room whether he plays or not, though. And his experience will be vital in the final few weeks.
Also making an appearance from off the bench was Richie Laryea, for his debut. He has had to bide his time, but the Canada international finally got a taste of the action in front of a sold-out City Ground. He got a great reception, too.
The full-back didn’t get long to make an impact. But he did make some good runs down the right flank, even if the ball didn’t always find him.
The second half was largely cruise control for the hosts. By then, it was job done.
Perhaps they could have pushed for more goals against their 10-man visitors, given how important goal difference could be in the final reckoning. But, most importantly, they came through unscathed with a big three points in the bank.
There is a little cushion now between the Reds and seventh-placed Millwall. But with four of their last five games on the road, there can be no taking their foot off the gas.
