I’ve been lucky enough to have been to over 85% of Nottingham Forest’s games since their Premier League return, but which ones live greatly in the memory?
Newcastle 2-0 Forest
It might be strange to think that a defeat would be the first game on a list of memorable fixtures, but Forest’s trip to St James’ Park was their first Premier League fixture of the century, so it was never going to be forgotten easily. On the day looked the Reds below par as Newcastle barely had to get out of first gear to stroll past them, the 2-0 scoreline failing to reflect the clear gulf in class.
But Forest fans would cherish this day, from the warm reception that the Geordies gave them to the realisation that visiting these huge stadiums on the biggest occasions was the new normal. It was a moment of reflection and achievement that showcased how far the Reds had come but also that this was just the beginning…
Forest 1-0 West Ham
If their first game was memorable, their first win was monumental. The City Ground was the first PL ground to host a televised match and 23 years after the last one, the cameras were back. Back to see a Declan Rice penalty saved by Dean Henderson, a first goal in the Garibaldi for new striker Taiwo Awoniyi and to witness celebrations more heartfelt by a generation of Forest fans than ever before. This is what it was all about.
Leicester 4-0 Forest
Unforgettable for all the wrong reasons, Forest’s trip to the King Power last season really brought home the reality that survival in this league may be too much. The match signified change, as Forest would begin to turn the tables in the right direction following the defeat. However, the united front shown by the traveling Reds is the reason this game remains so poignant.
Many other fan bases would have been heading back up the A46 after conceding a fourth goal on 73 minutes, but not us. There was a period in the second half where Forest fans were chanting their favoured chant, non-stop, for 15 minutes, while their team stunk the place out. The bond between fans, players and management was a crucial factor in Forest’s eventual survival, on show at its finest on that dull and Autumnal Monday night.
Forest 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool had visited The City Ground in Forest’s promotion season, and despite seemingly thinking it would be an easy ride, Forest made them sweat in a hard-fought defeat where they missed an open goal and only conceded with 12 to play. They didn’t learn their lesson, as Forest got the better of them this time, a result that sent shockwaves around the Premier League and truly ignited their campaign, winning only their second game and moving off the foot of the table.
Southampton 0-1 Forest
The Reds only away win of the entire 22/23 PL campaign was worth the wait and the 3:30 a.m. arrival home. Two teams discontent with their fortunes that season met in a must-win clash and despite a scrappy display, Forest got the result they needed that propelled them into 15th place, the safest they had looked for a long time.
Forest 1-1 Manchester City
Nottingham Forest were unbeaten in seven home league games when City rolled into town and many expected that run to come to an end with the visit of the future Treble winners. But they wouldn’t have it their way this time. The game hung at 1-0 for what felt like an eternity; the door always open for Forest to creep back in.
Forest’s famous Trent End’s audience practically sucked the ball into the net with rampant support that very few clubs in the world could match. With their only shot on target, Forest scored the equaliser with six minutes to play, sending their fired-up fan base into uncontrollable celebration. The draw felt as good or perhaps even better than a win, little old Nottingham Forest had snatched a point from a side widely regarded as the best England had ever seen.
Forest 4-3 Southampton
A game that had it all, and one not for the faint-hearted. By this stage, Forest were just a place ahead of Southampton down in 19th place, with the loser staring down the relegation barrel. They just couldn’t lose this one yet they went a long way towards doing so. 2-0 up, back to 2-1. 3-1 up, back to 3-2. 4-2 up, back to 4-3. You were never quite sure whether Forest would hang on until that sacred final whistle blew, but once it did, the result became one that would forever be remembered on the banks of the River Trent.
Forest 1-0 Arsenal
The stakes were everything. Forest needed a win to secure survival, Arsenal to keep their title challenge alive. A stellar performance followed, as Forest scored midway through the first half and then fought fearlessly and tirelessly to keep the scores that way. And remain that way they did; a whole season’s worth of travelling and tears were crowned with a truly special moment for everyone associated with the club. Forest had done it.
Fulham 5-0 Forest
There had been no real progression by Forest from last season to this, with a few dawns such as wins against Chelsea and Villa failing to start a run of form. Their issues were made abundantly clear away at Craven Cottage, a surrendering and fearful display on which owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen leaving well before the end.
Steve Cooper would have two more games at the helm but never really recovered from this defeat, one which signified the end of an era under their much-loved head coach.
Newcastle 1-3 Forest
Setting my alarm for 6:05 on Boxing Day morning, I was deeply regretting my choice to travel up north the next day on Christmas night. What followed was unprecedented. Forest even went a goal down but rose from their rubble and silenced St James’, Newcastle fans furious at the sight of Chris Wood scoring a hattrick at the club he left to join the Reds, a performance and result that will live on in the memory for years to come.
Remember that harrowing defeat that began their PL campaign? Look how far they had came.