Nottingham Forest advanced to the Championship play-off final in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 penalty shootout win over Sheffield United at the City Ground.
Steve Cooper’s side went into the second leg with a 2-1 lead after their win at Bramall Lane on Saturday and increased their advantage as Brennan Johnson netted inside 19 minutes.
However, the Blades weren’t done and produced a stunning comeback in the second half with goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and John Fleck to force extra time.
With both sides lacking the attacking impetus in the added period and perhaps fatigue setting in, penalties always seemed likely.
Brice Samba made a tremendous save for Forest to deny Iliman Ndiaye in the closing stages and saved three of United’s five penalties in the shootout.
Johnson, who scored in both legs, stepped up to convert the east Midlanders’ first spot-kick after Samba had thwarted Oliver Norwood, and Nottinghamshire Live reporter Sarah Clapson awarded his performance an 8/10 rating, saying: “Another terrific finish for his 19th of the season. Needed more protection from the referee as he got kicked from pillar to post all evening.”
TIF Thoughts on Johnson and Forest…
After repeating what his father David did in 2003 by finding the net against Sheffield United in the play-off semi-finals, tonight the 20-year-old perhaps eclipsed him with a 7.4 SofaScore match rating, which would seem to echo Clapson’s thoughts.
He was fouled twice as the opposition snapped at his heels, but he managed to take his tally of goals for the season to 19 – six clear of the second-highest scorer at the club.
No player made more key passes than his two for the team on the night and he created one big chance as well having two shots on target.
He was a constant threat for Forest and will be one to keep an eye on for the final at Wembley, as we’re sure his reported suitors will be too, against Huddersfield on 29th May.