Sabri Lamouchi may have played down his birthday celebrations on Thursday at the pre-match press conference, but following Nottingham Forest’s deserved win over Derby County, he was a little more bullish.
Forest’s French manager ensured that he was once again the toast of Nottingham having seen off the challenge of arch-rivals Derby County, courtesy of Lewis Grabban’s 56th minute strike.
That winner courtesy of some sloppy defending in front of the Trent End saw Forest record three straight wins over the Rams for the first time since 1990, a perfect way to celebrate his 48th birthday.
“Of course, it’s a great gift,” said a delighted Lamouchi on his special day.
“It was an emotional game and for that reason, maybe the first half wasn’t the best.”
After a tense first half when Forest struggled to get into gear, Lamouchi’s half-time words of wisdom clearly had an impact when Grabban fired into Kelle Roos’ net 12 minutes into a second half which the Reds largely dominated.
“The second half was much better,” he said.
“They made a big mistake and our striker, Grabbs played a fantastic game one more time with great finishing, like killer finishing.”
Mini match report
For the first time since January 1990, Nottingham Forest recorded a third straight win against their arch-rivals Derby County.
Lewis Grabban’s opportunistic strike in the second half after a defensive howler from the Rams was the only goal on a tense afternoon by the Trent.
Derby were first to threaten, as Bogle surged forward played the ball into Martin, his back to goal and laid it off to Lawrence who fired at Brice Samba, forcing the Forest stopper into a smart save just five minutes in.
Forest came close 10 minutes in when Lolley’s corner ran through to Ben Watson on the penalty spot, and his shot struck a Rams shirt, with the referee waving away protests for a spot-kick.
Phillip Cocu was forced into an early change, after Matthew Clarke picked up a knock and was unable to continue, George Evans taking his place and Bielik dropping into the back four.
Forest were growing into the game after a quiet 25 minutes and it was Ameobi who stung the palms of Roos at his near post, gliding past Bogle from edge of the box.
It was Ameobi again just before the break, testing Roos’ reflexes at his near post with a thunderous effort.
It looked like the most likely to score was Ameobi, who bent an arrowed effort over Roos bar and maybe, just maybe that rocked the Rams.
From the re-start, a sloppy pass back to Roos by Bogle was too short and Grabban latched onto it before powering his effort beyond the stricken Roos and into the bottom corner.
The City Ground erupted.
Having been subjected to a torrent of abuse all afternoon, Tom Lawrence’s frustration boiled over 20 minutes from time, lunging in on Yuri Ribeiro, and getting booked for his troubles for a challenge would on another day, could have seen red.
In their desperation to try and get back into the game, Derby threw on ex-Red Jamie Paterson for Bogle in the 72 minute, and his work almost yielded an equaliser, but for a smart stop from Samba.
Derby should have equalised five minutes later when Jack Marriott spurned a glorious chance inside the six-yard box.
Opposition verdict
Phillip Cocu felt Derby County were unlucky to lose to Nottingham Forest as he was left to rue Jayden Bogle's costly mistake.
Lewis Grabban got the only goal of the game in the early in the second half after he capitalised on Bogle's terrible pass.
Cocu was pleased with many aspects of his team's play, but admitted the mistake was critical.
"The boys did well and they started well. Defensively we were strong," he said.
"We had a great chance for Tom (Lawrence) - it was a good save. I can't be satisfied how we came out second half in the first 10 or 12 minutes.
"In the big games, in many games but especially in games like this, a detail, a mistake, bad judgement or sometimes class can make the difference.
"Today, the mistake of Jayden cost us the result.
"That is tough because I think we played quite a good game.
"We had good presence and played good football over a large part of the game.
"We created a good few opportunities, and deserved more than a 1-0 loss."
Defeat left the Rams 16th in the Championship, seven points behind fifth placed Forest having played a game more.
What the fans said
Mark Wolden : Just got home from game, Silva & Ameobi were great today plus other top performances from Worrall and tbh rest of Team put a good shift in!
Richard Leonard : Great effort by the whole team. Lolley form poor in comparison to last seasons awesome standard. Silva effort was great and tackled well but did not produce the killer pass today( being ultra critical) Ameobi was one that did look a threat and did chase down a lot ( like Grabban)everyone did their part.
Tim Wedgewood : Best team won, a brilliant team performance, well done you Reds.
Gavin Martin: Silva is becoming a big big player took his time to settle but the lad is really classy.
Malcolm Marks : Whole team was quality today. Hope Worrall shares his MOM award with them all.
Up next
Forest go to Bristol City on November 23 after the international break
