Nottingham Forest has successfully advanced to the next round of the FA Cup after defeating Exeter City 4-2 on penalties following a thrilling match at St. James' Park, which ended 2-2 after extra time. The match showed the resilience of both teams, culminating in Nottingham Forest's grit under pressure.
During the game, Nottingham Forest faced unexpected challenges, including the injury of star forward Tywo Awoniyi. The incident occurred when Awoniyi collided with Exeter's goalkeeper Joe Whitworth after attempting to connect with a high ball. The force of the impact sent both players crashing to the ground, prompting immediate medical attention as Awoniyi began to bleed from his nose. Fans expressed their concern as cameras captured the tense moments on the pitch.
Despite the distressing circumstances surrounding the injury, the game continued with both teams striving for victory. Exeter City opened the scoring early with Josh Magennis finding the net within the first five minutes of the game. This energized Exeter fans hoping for another giant-killing performance after their recent upset victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Nottingham Forest quickly retaliated, bringing the match back to level terms with Ramon Sosa's equalizer just ten minutes later, showcasing the team’s ability to bounce back. Awoniyi put Forest briefly in the lead with another goal, marking him as one of the key players during the match. His performance, though cut short due to injury, left fans hopeful about his recovery.
Exeter City's persistence paid off when Magennis scored again early in the second half, this time resulting from confusion around Nottingham Forest's defense, leading to Willy Boly's own goal. The teams continued to be locked at 2-2, and tensions escalated when Exeter saw Ed Turns sent off for a reckless tackle on Morgan Gibbs-White.
Nottingham Forest, now with the advantage of having one more player, struggled to break down Exeter's defense, leading to extra time. The game climaxed with both teams unable to find the back of the net during the additional thirty minutes, bringing the crowd to the edge of their seats—pushing the match to penalties.
When it came to the shootout, Nottingham's experience shone through. Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Elliott Anderson made confident penalty kicks, and Neco Williams sealed the win by converting the decisive kick. Forest’s goalkeeper Mats Sels also played his part by saving two penalty attempts, allowing Forest to triumph 4-2.
After the match, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo expressed his relief, saying, "I'm relieved. I think everyone feels the same." He acknowledged the team's mixed performance, stating, "It was not the best of matches but I think it wasn't bad," praising their ability to adapt after the early setback.
On the other hand, Exeter's manager Gary Caldwell reflected with pride on his team's performance, declaring, "We are proud of our performance. Losing on penalties is just unlucky. The players showed great fortitude, especially after going down to ten men". Despite the disappointment, Caldwell emphasized the potential for future successes by instilling confidence in his squad.
Looking forward, Nottingham Forest's victory paves the way for their next match against Ipswich Town, where their aim will be to maintain momentum as they compete for success both domestically and within the FA Cup. While the injury to Awoniyi has raised concerns, the club has expressed optimism about his recovery. Nuno has been cautious, hinting at possible concussion protocols—"He has some pain but there’s laughter on his face," he noted, finding hope amid the dire situation.
This exciting encounter not only underlined the unpredictable nature of the FA Cup but also showcased the tenacity of the players on both sides. With each passing round, Nottingham Forest continues to build its reputation and hunger for trophy success, all eyes will now eagerly await their next challenge on the pitch.