Forest bruise the Tangerines
Nottingham Forest returned to Championship action in style as they cruised to a superb 4-1 victory at Blackpool.
The visitors were 3-0 up at the break thanks to a terrific first half performance. Philip Zinckernagel opened the scoring, before a brilliant quick-fire brace from Brennan Johnson put Forest in command.
Zinckernagel had a penalty appeal waved away early on. But he got on the scoresheet with 11 minutes gone when a deflected effort looped over the goalkeeper.
The Seasiders had some bright moments, but Johnson was ruthless in front of goal. His first was a well-struck first-time effort arrowed into the far corner. And then his second was dinked over Dan Grimshaw after good work to win the ball in the first place.
Forest created some more openings in the second half. But it was left to Sam Surridge to put the gloss on the scoreline as he came off the bench to make it 4-0.
The only disappointment was that the visitors didn’t keep a clean-sheet. Callum Connolly pulled one back at the death for the hosts.
See Sarah Clapson's Forest Player Ratings Here
Holloway backs Cooper for top award
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has been predicted to win the Championship's manager of the year award if the Reds finish in the top six this season.
It has been an almighty turnaround for the Reds, given they were rock-bottom when Chris Hughton departed the City Ground with Steve Cooper swiftly coming in as his replacement. But Forest's brilliant rise up the Championship has left many wondering quite how far they can go, and former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is confident he could receive even greater recognition if the Reds can finish the season in the top-six.
"Massive credit is due to Steve Cooper," the former Tangerines boss said on Sky Sports.
"Fulham are running away with things, but if you look at Steve's performances, after eight games they were winless and bottom of the league - he's got to be manager of the year, if they get in the play-offs, and can do something."
Blackpool the 'better team'
Sky Sports pundits Marlon Harewood and Ian Holloway were left bemused by Blackpool boss Neil Critchley's verdict that his side matched Nottingham Forest despite suffering a 4-1 defeat.
Steve Cooper's side boosted their play-off aspirations with the humbling victory on the seaside thanks to goals from Philip Zinckernagel, a Brennan Johnson brace and Sam Surridge - Callum Connolly scored a late consolation goal for the home side.
The visitors dominated proceedings and were fully deserving of the big win, although Critchley felt his Tangerines side were the "better team" against Forest.
"To be honest with you, I thought we were competitive today," Critchley said on Sky Sports at full-time.
"We got punished in vital moments - they were clinical, really clinical. We've not done well enough in both boxes. In the middle of the pitch, we were arguably the better team at times. We've created a lot of chances, we showed great spirit and kept going right to the end.
"We've been harshly punished today and had no luck. You look at the first and third goals, we make mistakes, and they punish us. We had opportunities throughout the game. Our response to going 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 down was good.
"We had chances at the start of the second. It's just not gone our way, and that can happen when playing good teams with good players. That's the reality of the Championship."
Cooper lauds 'excellent' Forest star
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper hailed the attitude of his players after their 4-1 thumping of Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
The Reds toppled the Seasiders with a Brennan Johnson brace and strikes apiece for Philip Zinckernagel and Sam Surridge. It meant they returned from the international break in style, and puts them firmly in the top-six mix with nine games to go.
Johnson had also earned rave reviews while on duty with Wales. And he shone again with two clinical finishes to secure three points on the coast.
“I didn’t say anything to Brennan, but when he’s come back from international duty in recent times, he’s took a little bit to get going again,” said Cooper. “And he hadn’t played in those camps.
“In this one, he did. So it was interesting to see how he played. He was excellent. He is excellent, isn’t he?
“His whole approach to playing for the team and the contribution he makes is always a good one. It was good."
Cafu drops hint on future
Nottingham Forest midfielder Cafu says is "happy" at and "focused" on Nottingham Forest but has not ruled out a return to Portugal.
Cafu, who joined the Reds in October 2020, has found playing opportunities limited at the City Ground this season but is looking forward to helping Steve Cooper's side fight for a spot in the top-six. The 29-year-old midfielder has made 10 appearances so far this term but started just once - a 1-0 defeat at Stoke City back in August 2021.
This season he has played 454 minutes of football - of which 80 came in a Premier League 2 fixture for the Under-23s - and has been limited to mostly substitutes appearances.
The midfielder, whose contract expires in June 2023, says he would be open to a return to his home country of Portugal, but for now, he is focused on Forest.
Speaking to O Jogo, he said: “A return (to Portugal) is possible, obviously, but right now, I am focused on Nottingham Forest and the goals of the club with whom I have a contract and where I am happy."
Goalkeeper decision explained
Ethan Horvath's late return from international duty led to Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper's decision to change goalkeepers at Blackpool.
Horvath had cemented his place between the posts prior to the two-week break from league action, having taken his chance to impress while Brice Samba was suspended. But he found himself on the bench at Bloomfield Road as the Reds recorded an emphatic 4-1 win at Blackpool.
The American had been part of the USA squad which secured qualification for this year's World Cup. And it meant he was one of the last players to link back up with his teammates ahead of the lunchtime clash - just like Canadian full-back Richie Laryea, who had not returned to the UK until Friday night and was not involved against the Seasiders.
Horvath was among the substitutes as a result, with Samba brought back into the XI. Only a late consolation effort from Callum Connolly denied the visitors a clean-sheet, leaving Cooper with an "interesting" dilemma in his team's last nine league games.
"It was 100 percent due to Ethan's late return. We're fortunate that - we've got three goalkeepers, really - but maybe two goalkeepers who can play in goal for us," said the Forest head coach
