Nottingham Forest were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Huddersfield in the Championship play-off final. Levi Colwill’s own goal late in the first half at Wembley was enough for Steve Cooper to take the jackpot in the most lucrative singles game in world football. Promotion to the top flight is estimated at at least £170 million ($214 million) in increased revenue.
Forest will happily accept the huge financial windfall, but it was the relief at the end of their long exile from the English football elite that fueled the frenzied festivities among their thousands of red-and-white-clad fans.
For the first time in the 21st century, Forest can welcome the Premier League elite to their City Ground stadium on the banks of the River Trent.
The promotion was a personal triumph for Cooper, who has revived Forest since he replaced the fired Chris Hughton in September.
Forest was bottom of the table after taking one point from their first seven games, but Cooper had the midas touch as he wiped out the bitter taste of his defeat to Swansea in last year’s Championship play-off final against Brentford.
Cooper repaired the wounds of Forest’s worst start to the season in 108 years and ensured they stayed focused after losing a chance at automatic promotion in their penultimate game of the season against two biggest rivals Bournemouth.
Forest in fourth place defeated Sheffield United on penalties in the semi-final of the play-offs and once again had the courage to win the ultimate prize against Huddersfield.
After knocking Arsenal and Leicester out of the FA Cup this season before narrowly losing to Liverpool, the sleeping giants of Forest have finally awakened from their slumber.
– Back in time –
Forest’s golden era came under the leadership of legendary boss Brian Clough, who led them to the English title in 1978 and the European Cup in 1979 and 1980.
Clough’s retirement in 1993 caused a sharp decline in Forest’s fortunes, with their wilderness years featuring a three-season stint in the third tier.
Forest was a regular visitor to Wembley during Clough’s heyday, but this was their first appearance at the national stadium since 1992.
No wonder the Forest supporters in the 80,000 crowd sounded good from the moment Ryan Yates lavishly headed in James Garner’s free kick from six yards.
Forest was the better side in a frenetic encounter, but there was more perspiration than inspiration over long periods as both teams’ passes went astray.
Huddersfield struggled to find rhythm when a cross from Sorba Thomas was pushed away by ranger Brice Samba.
Driven forward by Manchester United midfielder Garner, Forest broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute.
Garner drove a dangerous cross into the Huddersfield area and Colwill accidentally went into his own net as the loaned Chelsea defender tried to reach the ball before Yates.
Shocked by that blow, Huddersfield finally picked up the pace after halftime and Jonathan Hogg should have done better with a header that didn’t hit the goal from a corner.
The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute when Huddersfield was left furious after being denied a strong criminal charge.
Harry Toffolo went down after a challenge from Jack Colback, but referee Jon Moss booked the Huddersfield fullback for diving and VAR refused to reverse the decision.
Huddersfield’s frustration mounted when another penalty appeal was rejected after Max Lowe teamed up with Lewis O’Brien.
promoted
Forest’s nerves raged as Samba walked away injured in the final minutes, but the Reds held out to earn their return to the big time.
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article