Nottingham Forest tore Leicester City apart as they knocked out the FA Cup holders with a superb 4-1 victory in the fourth round.
In front of a jubilant sold-out crowd, Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson, Joe Worrall and Djed Spence embarrassed the top-flight visitors with the goals in a thrilling display by Steve Cooper’s side.
The hosts went into the break in command after an almost dream first half left them 3-1 up.
While the Foxes had started well, with a couple of openings for Ademola Lookman, it was Forest who began to carve out opportunities - and soon made the most of them.
Two goals 87 seconds apart put them in control, before a third had a jam-packed City Ground in raptures and the Premier League side in disbelief.
Keinan Davis struck the woodwork just before the 20-minute mark, showing great control to chest the ball down inside the area. Despite having Luke Thomas almost hanging off him, the front man’s resulting fierce volley cannoned off the angle.
Just a few minutes later, though, the Reds were ahead.
Djed Spence and Johnson had already linked up to good effect a couple of times down the right, and they combined again for the opener. The latter floated in a cross, which was headed down by Davis, with Zinckernagel on hand to slot it home.
Leicester had barely had chance to collect their thoughts before they were picking the ball out of the net again.
A poor back-pass from James Justin was opportunistically pounced upon by Johnson, with a cool finish delivered from a tight angle to make it 2-0.
That really got Forest’s tails up, and they began to play some superb football.
Ryan Yates wasn’t far away from getting on the scoresheet when he connected with a James Garner corner.
But another flag-kick from the Manchester United loanee did produce a goal shortly after as the cup holders crumbled.
Worrall, who was making an earlier than expected return from broken ribs, got on the end of the midfielder’s ball in and sent a downward header beyond Danny Ward.
It was pretty much the perfect first half, until the visitors pulled one back courtesy of an error from Brice Samba.
The Reds stopper was left in no man’s land as he came well out of his area to try to challenge Kelechi Iheanacho but didn’t get there. The Foxes man went round him and rolled it in for 3-1 five minutes before the interval.
Forest came out for the second half and almost regained their two-goal lead when a rapid counter ended with a Johnson effort being deflected behind.
Another Johnson strike was parried by the keeper a few minutes later, with the Reds continuing the attack and getting their just rewards.
A lovely pass from Zinckernagel sent Spence through and he fired in for 4-1, before celebrating wildly in front of the Trent End.
Samba made a strong save to thwart Daniel Amartey in the closing minutes, but there was no way back for the Foxes on an incredible afternoon on the banks of the Trent.
Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Brice Samba: Needlessly careless to give the Foxes a goal they really didn’t deserve. Still not sure why he came that far out of his area. Only blot on an otherwise incredible afternoon. Rating: 6/10
Joe Worrall: What a way to mark his return to action. Already showed he’s made of stern stuff by making a much earlier than expected return from broken ribs, then got in on the action with his first goal of the season. Rating: 8/10
Steve Cook: A composed presence in the back line, keeping a handle on proceedings whenever the Foxes had spells of possession. Rating: 8/10
Scott McKenna: A good tussle with quality opposition, and it was the Reds centre-back who came out on top. Won almost everything he went for. Rating: 8.5/10
Djed Spence: Once again another superb performance amid Premier League company, capping it with a fabulous goal. Showed there’s no doubt he’s destined for the top one way or another. Rating: 9.5/10
Ryan Yates: Went close to a goal in the first half. Showed plenty of good touches and played some neat passes on a memorable afternoon at the City Ground. Rating: 8/10
James Garner: Ran the show in midfield with a commanding display. Set-pieces caused plenty of problems, including setting up Worrall’s goal. Another masterclass. Rating: 9/10
Max Lowe: Helped the Reds to push forward as they tore their visitors apart. Involved in some lovely attacking moves, while also keeping his defensive head on. Rating: 8/10
Brennan Johnson: Just keeps getting better and better as his star continues to rise. Made a top-flight side look like non-league at times. Another goal to add to a growing collection. Rating: 9.5/10
Keinan Davis: Quality display from the front man. Led the line superbly, just a shame he didn’t get a goal to show for his efforts. Strength, power and a delightful touch to boot. Rating: 9/10
Philip Zinckernagel: Gave a brilliant game lift-off with a well-finished opener, then weighed in with an assist for the fourth. Looked like he thoroughly enjoyed himself out there. Rating: 8/10
Subs
Jack Colback (for Zinckernagel, 62mins): Worked hard when he got on the pitch, quickly getting stuck into the action. Rating: 7/10
Sam Surridge (for Davis, 71mins): Valuable minutes for the striker as he made his debut in the Garibaldi. Looked lively. Rating: 7/10
Cafu (for Garner, 88mins): Didn’t get much chance to make an impact but helped see out a terrific win. Rating: 7/10
Xande Silva (for Johnson, 88mins): Bright and sharp in the closing minutes. Rating: 7/10
Subs not used: Horvath, Figueiredo, Laryea, Ojeda, Lolley.
