Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper says reaching a first EFL Cup semi-final in 31 years after a draw against Manchester United will give fans old and new a chance to dream.
Forest beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to set up a clash against the side they lost to in the 1992 final.
“It’s fantastic to get to the semi-finals and give myself the chance to play against Manchester United,” Cooper said.
“I’m really happy for our supporters. It’s an opportunity for our older generation to reminisce while the younger supporters enter new territory. It’s another positive message about the club.”
Dan Henderson was the penalty shootout hero as Cooper’s side overcame Wolves at the City Ground.
Henderson blocked Ruben Neves’ spot-kick after Jose Sa had denied Sam Serge, then had Jose Hodge’s effort denied after Forest converted their remaining four penalties.
Forest took the lead in normal time when former Wolves duo Morgan Gibbs-White and Willie Boley combined, Gibbs-White latched onto one of the best first-half corners in the six-yard box and Boley stabbed home from close range.
Wolves scored a stunning equalizer when new loan signing Mathis Cunha’s low cross invited a finish from striker Raul Jimenez.
The game ended with ugly scenes in the middle of the pitch, with the stewards involved in separating the players after getting angry.
Forest will host Manchester United first in the two-legged semi-final. These games will be played in the weeks starting from 23rd and 30th January.
However, Forest will likely be without Henderson, who is on loan from Manchester United.
“I’ve just thought about it, it’s disappointing,” Cooper said of Henderson’s ineligibility.
“After watching tonight, he was great in the penalty shootout, but he was good in the game, more than good in the game.
“It’s unfortunate. He’s part of our group, he’s invested so much in the group and what we’re trying to accelerate in terms of how we operate, what we want to be.
“You need a really good goalkeeper to do that. Not only is he committing as a goalkeeper, he’s buying into being in the city and the greater good of the club.
“He’s put a dampener on it for me tonight.”
Boly doesn’t celebrate rare goal
It is recognized that players do not celebrate goals against their former clubs, a tradition Boley maintained despite his first try for Forest.
It seemed a little strange.
After all, the Ivory Coast defender actively requested a move away from Molineux in the summer, after receiving substantial offers from Forest.
Also, scoring is a rare experience for the 31-year-old. He last found the net almost two years ago in Wolves’ home defeat to West Brom. He scored just six runs in five seasons with the club.
Sadly for Boley, his evening ended early. Although he tries to continue after being injured in a skirmish with Hwang Hee-chan, he is quick to point out that this is impossible.
A mounting injury list is one of the reasons Cooper has cited for Forest’s need to enter the transfer market this month.
And now Forest have two more games to play this month, the need is even more pressing.
Not that such problems were bothering the home fans as they celebrated the victory and a semi-final appearance in a competition legendary former boss Brian Clough enjoyed during his illustrious tenure with the club. Won four times.
More goal threat than wolves
Wolves fans have adapted a chant commonly heard at Arsenal, singing about manager Julen Lopetegui “he knows exactly what we need”.
In fairness, it was nothing short of revelatory. Wolves were shocking in scoring before the World Cup break.
While Cunha’s January arrival won’t solve the problem by itself, the currently injured Diego Costa looks a huge threat even without Wolves.
Henderson made two excellent saves at the end of the first half to deny Jimenez – Goncalo Guedes should have been a threat with the rebound but Hwang and Hwang.
Jimenez’s equalizer was the result of excellent team play from the visitors, which included a crucial contribution from Neves to allow Cunha to deliver a decisive low cross.
It was Wolves’ eighth goal in six games since Lopetegui took charge. It took Wolves 13 games to achieve their previous eight, a woeful fraction of their pre-World Cup total of 11.
Henderson was to have the final say as Wolves missed out on what would have been their first last four appearance in the competition since winning it in 1980.
