Forest claim maximum points in South Wales

Nottingham Forest continued their excellent away form by returning from Swansea with three points, thanks to a David McGoldrick strike.

The former Southampton striker fired the Reds in front after 35 minutes, after Swansea failed to clear a Forest corner and McGoldrick was on hand to fire the ball past Swans keeper Dorus De Vries.

The home side did put the Forest defence under a lot of pressure throughout the game, but after proving that they were up for the challenge following Tuesday's clean sheet at Sheffield United, they never looked in danger of conceding.

Manager Billy Davies was back in the dug out after missing the game in midweek at Bramall Lane, and he made a bold statement by dropping leading scorers Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw and replacing them with McGoldrick and Dele Adebola.

And although the decision may have raised eyebrows, no one could question the Scot's judgement afterwards, as it was McGoldrick who scored the goal to continue the visitors unbeaten away record.

Swansea did pose a threat in the second half with the introduction of on loan man Lee Trundle, but he wasted two good chances to draw the hosts level.

First he cut inside Nicky Shorey, but saw a curled effort go just wide of Lee Camp's post, and then in injury time he wasted a great chance by firing over from eight yards out.

In the end astute defending from Forest was enough to see them claim their second clean sheet in a week and hold on to three points, to take them up to third in the table at least untill Cardiff take on Boro on Sunday, and are just two points behind 2nd placed West Bromwich Albion.

Unbeaten away, we're Nottingham Forest, unbeaten away

Nottingham Forest remain the only side in England to boast an unbeaten away record, after claiming a hard earned point at Sheffield United.

In truth, it was a point gained rather than two dropped as Forest were under pressure for the majority of the game and had to rely on keeper Lee Camp to save them on numerous occasions.

The former Derby keeper kept out efforts from Matt Kilgallon, Stephen Quinn and loanee Henri Camara to ensure that Forest left Yorkshire with a share of the spoils.

Forest did create one decent chance, with Robbie Earnshaw firing wide early in the second half, and also saw a shot comfortably cleared off the line by Blades skipper Chris Morgan.

But the brilliant travelling support were delighted to see the Reds hang on for a point and showed their appreciation to Camp by singing his name at the end of the game.

The match saw assistant David Kelly take charge in the absence of Billy Davies who was ill, and he will be delighted to have maintained Forest's impressive away record and kept the Reds in the play-offs in 4th place.

Earnshaw goes Fox hunting

Nottingham Forest recorded a remarkable East Midlands derby win over rivals Leicester City, with striker Robert Earnshaw bagging a hat-trick on route to a crushing 5-1 win.

The Welsh international was in unstoppable form, and netted Forest's opener after just 12 minutes.

Linking up well with strike partner Dexter Blackstock, the former Norwich man calmly slotted past visitors keeper Chris Weale before celebrating with his trademark somersault in front of the Trent End.

The Reds doubled their lead soon after. Chris Cohen's driven shot went through a melee of players before reaching Earnshaw who scored his second with a deft chip into the net. Cue somersault celebration again.

Forest were rampant and Leicester manager Nigel Pearson was clearly lost in what to do. He made two substitutes in the first half, including top scorer Matty Fryatt, to try and change his team's luck, but to no avail.

Forest started the second half in the same fashion as the first and five minutes into the half Earnshaw had completed his hat-trick.

Picking up a soft backpass by Jack Hobbs, Earnie ran the ball past the unimpressive Wayne Brown and finished emphatically into the top corner of Weale's goal.

Earnshaw had dedicated his second somersault celebration to the 2nd battalion Mercian regiment who were back from serving in Afghanistan, but this time the somersault was saved for the delirious Forest fans sat in the A block.

Paul Anderson won a personal battle by scoring past the hometown club, and beating the banter of his mates.

Forest were in cruise control, and looked dangerous every time they attacked. Yet it was the visitors who scored the next goal. A soft penalty was awarded for handball against Wes Morgan, but in truth there was little chance of the big centre half being able to get out of the way.

Many Reds fans believed the decision was a chance for referee Mike Russell to 'even' up the game, after previously awarding a penalty and then changing his mind against the visitors.

Martyn Waghorn converted the spot kick in off the underside of the bar, but that was as good as it got for the Foxes.

Substitute Dele Adebola put the game beyond doubt by following up fellow substitute Garath Mcleary's powerful drive, to make the scoreline look embarrassing on our East Midlands rivals.

This was one of Forest's best performances of the season, and saw the hosts leap frog their opponents into 3rd place in the table.

Home draw in Cup

Nottingham Forest have been handed a home tie in the third round of the FA Cup, after drawing Premiership side Birmingham City.

The Blues will travel to the City Ground on either Saturday the 2nd of January or Sunday the 3rd of January.

Forest pulled off the shock of the round at this stage of the competition last year, when they defeated big spending Manchester City 3-0 at Eastlands. The goals that day came from Nathan Tyson, Robert Earnshaw and Joe Garner.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8384168.stm"< Here is the full 3rd round draw.

Forest crush Doncaster

Nottingham Forest moved up to 4th in the Championship table, after a convincing 4-1 victory of Doncaster Rovers.

The Reds' goals came courtesy of an own goal by Gareth Roberts and strikes from Wes Morgan, Robert Earnshaw and substitute Lewis McGugan.

Rovers did pull a goal back late on through Billy Sharp, but they were second best to Forest all game.

Manager Billy Davies decided to put Robert Earnshaw in the starting line up after his goal against Middlesbrough last week ensured a point for the Reds, and it paid off as the Welsh international looked sharp all game and scored a deserved goal in the second half which led to his trademark somersault celebration in front of the Trent End.

It was a performance that deserved three points, and leaves Forest in confident mood ahead of next Saturday's East Midlands showdown with Leicester City, where a win will see Forest go third in the table.

Reds earn point but feels like a loss

Nottingham Forest earned a point against promotion rivals Bristol City, but will be very disappointed not to have taken all three.


The Reds opened the scoring with just five minutes to go, when big centre back Wes Morgan fired home following a corner.



However, Forest switched off in injury time to allow Danny Haynes to creep in and place the ball past keeper Lee Camp. It was the only time City had really carved an opening after a mix of superb defending by Kelvin Wilson and Morgan, as well as some very negative tactics from City.



Gary Johnson's men obviously came to Trentside with the intentions to frustrate Forest by having 11 men behind the ball and putting in very strong tackles.



So strong infact as it was a mystery as to why one of the City players did not get sent off. In form striker Nicky Marnard could have gone as early as eight seconds for a horror challenge on full back Chris Gunter.



On loan midfielder Evander Sno made at least six 'booking worthy' tackles that referee Anthony Taylor and his two female assistants decided to look over. Sno was eventually sunstituted by Johnson before he was sent off.



Forest were much the better team on the day but never really created any chances themselves on a frustrating day.



The closest Forest came to a winner was when the lively Garath McCleary crossed for Paul Anderson who had a tap in, but a brilliant recovery tackle from Cole Skuse saw the ball spin agonisingly away from goal and into the arms of Dean Gerken.



In the end both teams had to settle for a point which was probably a fair result on reflection, but Forest will be annoyed at their failure to see the game out and not take all three points.

Forest face difficult Bristol City clash.

Nottingham Forest face a difficult tie against in-form Bristol City, at the City Ground on Saturday.

The game promises to be a real mouth-watering fixture, as the league's two in-form sides go head to head.

Forest will need to watch City marksman Nicky Maynard carefully, as the former Crewe Alexandra hitman has scored nine goals already this season and is bang in form.

Forest striker Dele Adebola could be in line to start against the club he left in the summer, after playing a part in Lewis McGugan's injury time leveler against Cardiff last Sunday.

The last time the two sides met at the City Ground, Dexter Blackstock fired home a last minute winner for the Reds which went a long way to help Forest securing their safety in the Championship. Blackstock volleyed home a Joe Garner knockdown, before going into the Trent End to celebrate with the jubilant home fans.

Young Reds batter Rams

It is always nice to see your team beat your local rivals at whatever level, so I was delighted to see Forest's under 18 side beat Derby 6-3 in the FA Premier academy league.

Tom Cullen netted a hat-trick and there were also goals for Danny Meadows, Neil Byrne and George Thomson during the rout.

Forest's youngsters are coached by former player Eoin Jess, who replaced Chris Fairclough after his promotion to the first team coaching staff,, and Jess was delighted that the performance gained the result it deserved at Wilford Lane.

Forest have now won three on the bounce and the future looks promising for a club renowned for producing quality young talent.

Another one of Forest's youngsters, Aaron Mitchell today linked up with Ilkeston Town on loan. The move should offer Mitchell valuable experience as he looks to eventually break into the first team picture at the City Ground.

Davies and Warnock exchange heated words.

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies criticised the rough tactics used by Crystal Palace, following the sides 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.


Davies was incensed that Clint Hill was not shown a red card for an alleged elbow to the face of Reds winger Paul Anderson, on the stroke of half time.



Hill was shown a yellow card after getting involved with Forest right back Chris Gunter, who was also booked. This led to a melee involving players and staff from both clubs.

Anderson had to be taken off at half time, such the extent of force Hill had used on the former Liverpool youngster.



Davies told Sky Sports, ''I think it was a red card, and when Neil Warnock doesn't complain to you at the side of the pitch you know he thinks it to.''



''He is a very fortunate manager and a Hill is a very fortunate player, because it was a blatant elbow in my opinion.''

Warnock claimed that the incident was only worthy of a yellow card.

I'm sure I speak for all Forest fans when I say that I hope Anderson's injury isn't serious as he has become a real valuable player in recent weeks. His pace is electric and he offers us a good let out ball on the wing, similarly to Tyson.



The game itself saw the Reds go a goal down to a screamer of a free-kick by former Ipswich man Darren Ambrose, who seems to be getting his career back on track with the Eagles after disappointing, injury hit spells with Newcastle and Charlton.


However, Forest earned a deserved point when Lewis Mcgugan drilled in a cross which was slid home by summer signing David McGoldrick on 48 minutes.

Forest pressed hard for an equaliser that never came and had to settle for a point, as there unbeaten away record continued.

I would also like to say congratulation to Guy Moussi for netting his first goal for the club in the recent home game against Barnsley.

The French midfielder has done well to come back from a serious ankle injury, that he sustained against Palace last season, and perform superbly against Newcastle and then score a vital winner against the Tykes in injury time.

The only downside was seeing the former SCO Angers man shown a second yellow for going into the crowd when celebrating. Such a pathetic rule in my opinion, but a rule none the less so Moussi deserved to go.