The East Midlands is red and white once more, with Nottingham Forest proudly representing in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 victory on Friday night was a dominant display, even if the scoreline flattered Leicester. Steve Cooper’s squad showed resilience and skill, and on another day, the margin could have been much wider.
Ryan Yates once again impressed, scoring a brilliant opener but later missing a close-range shot that seemed almost certain. Chris Wood, Cooper’s signing for depth, has flourished with consistent playtime, notching his seventh goal of the season.
Meanwhile, Forest’s current stars—Murillo, Ola Aina, Nicolas Dominguez, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Anthony Elanga—reminded Cooper of the quality he once managed as their head coach. Facing Leicester doesn’t hold the same weight for Forest fans as it does for their rivals, but this was a memorable away win.
Troy Deeney Praises Forest Star
Troy Deeney, who earlier overlooked Forest players for his Team of the Week, has now included both Chris Wood and Yates, praising the midfielder’s tenacity and game awareness. Speaking to BBC Sport, Deeney said, “Both midfielders were excellent. They were very combative and did everything simple and well. When the game got ropey, they stepped up with big tackles or by calming the play down.”
Yates Hitting Career Best Form
Yates’s loan spells at clubs like Barrow, Notts County, and Scunthorpe have molded him into the player he is today. Now, with over 200 appearances under his belt, Yates has finally reached the level of performance that fans have long hoped for. While his technical skills have room to grow, he compensates with an exceptional physical game. According to Who Scored, Yates won four aerial duels and completed 81% of his passes on Friday, putting in a display that nearly earned him Man of the Match if not for Wood’s stellar performance.
At 26, Yates may still have his best years ahead, and for Forest fans, his peak form is something to savor.
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