How did Nottingham Forest do it? How did they survive against the odds and defy the numerous pundits who have written them off all season?
The scenes before kick-off and at full-time on Saturday tell you everything you need to know. The 90 minutes in between were a perfect summation of what the Reds are about, too.
Unity and togetherness, on the pitch and off it. Heart, spirit, guts and desire. And a head coach who has overseen arguably a more impressive achievement than the one which went before.
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It is a special club. The City Ground is a special place. This is a special team. Steve Cooper is a special manager. And for all the ups and downs, the unbelievable highs and massive lows, the glorious torture of playing in the Premier League, this has been a special campaign.
That survival was secured on the banks of the Trent was exactly how it should be. It was entirely fitting for a team and a fanbase which has been a powerful force at home.
Forest earned safety. They weren’t left waiting for their rivals to slip up or facing a nervous final day shootout. They seized the opportunity, grabbed it with both hands and took care of their own business by beating Arsenal - a team who have only just fallen short in the race for the title.
Team spirit
Back in August and September, Forest looked like exactly what they were: A group of strangers. Those early days were a bit of an eye-opener.
A record-breaking summer of 22 signings, followed by seven more in January, would have tested even the most experienced of managers. If the Reds were going to have any hope of staying up, they needed a unifying factor. They needed to operate as a collective.
That is one of Cooper’s greatest strengths. He has knitted the squad together and got them all believing in and fighting for the cause. There was no greater demonstration of that than the celebrations after the final whistle.
Jesse Lingard, a player who arrived amid great fanfare but has started just 12 times in the league and wasn’t even on the bench, was dancing on the pitch with Serge Aurier. He was hugging Brennan Johnson and taking pictures with his teammates.
Dean Henderson, a Manchester United loanee, was hobbling around on crutches and was waving them around as the post-match music blared out in the dressing room. Giulian Biancone, who has missed most of the campaign due to injury, soaked it all up. Steve Cook, a man who has openly admitted a decision will have to be made about his future after being left out of the 25-man squad, gave Cooper a big bear-hug.
And on, and on. Keylor Navas posted a picture of the goalkeepers’ union alongside goalkeeping coach Danny Alcock. Renan Lodi, another loanee, was in tears. All have bought into the ethos, they have bought into Forest and the greater good.
Unrivalled support
None of what the Reds have done this term would have been possible without the incredible backing they have received. It has been the case at home and away, but the atmosphere at the City Ground has been such that it brings a lump to the throat.
From Forza Garibaldi’s incredible display before kick-off to a deafening Mull of Kintyre to the roar which rolled around the stadium as full-time creeped closer, the fans helped get Forest over the line against the Gunners. Just as they did against Manchester City, just as they did against Liverpool, and just as they have on so many occasions. When you thought it couldn’t get any better, they sang louder, belted out chants with even more gusto and waved scarves like lives depended on it.
Even in the tough times, they have stuck by the team and by Cooper. At 4-0 down away to Leicester City in October, they were singing his name. They were magnificent at Anfield last month, when defeat - despite a spirited display - made it four losses on the trot and 11 games without a win. Boos (save for those directed at officials) have been a rarity.
And for all of that, the crowd got their reward. The famous fist-pumps were back on Saturday. They had been worth waiting for.
Cooper had held back in recent weeks, mindful of the run the team had been on and their position in the table. But this time, he cupped his ear, teasing the crowd before launching into his trademark victory gesture. He threw in an extra one or two for good measure and then visibly shook as he rattled both fists in a jubilant relief of emotions.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis was in attendance and had joined the throng on the pitch at full-time. His decision not to wield the axe was well and truly vindicated.
Bright talent
Forest have found form at the right time. Cooper put his faith in producing good performances - rather than scrapping for results any way, any how - in the belief it would pay dividends. Ten points from the last five games, having gone two months without a win prior to that, is some turnaround.
Central to that improvement is being able to field a relatively settled side and having key players back from injury. It hasn’t been far off the Reds’ strongest XI.
Taiwo Awoniyi has found his sharpness since returning from a lengthy lay-off, ending the campaign firing on all cylinders. There was a touch of fortune about the winner against Arsenal, but that made it five in his last three games and took him to double-figures in all competitions. It’s tempting to think what tally he could have reached had he stayed fit. Maybe next year…
There was nothing fortunate about the run from Morgan Gibbs-White which led to the goal. That was all down to ability and desire. Pouncing on a loose ball, then tearing up the pitch.
He has so much potential. Likewise, Brennan Johnson - who had to settle for a place on the bench, but did so without complaint - and Danilo. The latter ended the evening on the shoulders of one of the staff members, conducting a rendition of the chant in his name.
The Reds have a group of young players full of promise and talent. And the exciting part is they will all be better for this experience, with safety giving the club the best possible chance to hang on to them.
Garibaldi warriors
All of the above factors have played their part in Forest beating the drop. But don’t underestimate the impact of having some big characters who are willing to put their bodies on the line.
Felipe is one. He has quickly endeared himself to Reds fans since his arrival in January. Fevered speculation about whether losing his ponytail would diminish his superpowers was quashed with another all-action display. And he took the time to pass on his shirt to a member of the crowd afterwards.
But two players who epitomise the never-say-die attitude more than most are Ryan Yates and Joe Worrall. Both bleed Forest, and their passion is infectious.
Yates couldn’t hide a grin as he spoke to the media in the mixed zone. Having him back has been vital. He got the crowd going deep in the second half when he won a free-kick and then turned to the Trent End to gee them up.
Worrall was superb at the back again. Just as against Chelsea, he pushed Awoniyi close for the man of the match accolade. And it was clear what survival meant to him as he dropped to the ground and looked visibly emotional at the final whistle, with Cooper walking over to embrace his captain,
Both Worrall and Yates have had their critics, but both have shown they can cut it in the top-flight. They were the heartbeat of a winning side on Saturday. And it is a side which can now start planning for another year in the Premier League.
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