
By Francis Moore
Steve Cooper’s Swansea side made a mockery of a rotated Forest backline, putting five past Jordan Smith to confirm their fifth-round match up against Manchester City.
Forest trailed with just seven minutes played, as Liam Cullen got on the end of Wayne Routledge’s driven cross to convert past Jordan Smith.
It got even worse for Chris Hughton’s side before the half-hour mark. Matt Grimes’ thunderous effort left Smith helpless in the Forest goal, as the bail sailed past him to give the Swans a two-goal cushion.
Anthony Knockaert got Forest back into the game with his first goal since his loan extension, just 10 minutes into the second-half.
However, all hopes of a comeback were crushed as Ryan Manning won a controversial penalty, allowing Grimes to pick up his second goal in the game from the spot.
That penalty seemingly killed off the game, but it didn’t stop a rampant Swansea City side who made it 4-1 shortly after, as Liam Cullen scored his second of the afternoon.
The action at the Liberty Stadium didn’t cease there, as substitute Oliver Cooper scored his first goal of the season in the final minutes.
It was another disappointing game for Nottingham Forest who have now lost two games in a row for the first time since 12 December.
Forest fans took to Twitter to vent their frustration:
That is a joke. Utter disgrace. #NFFC
— Liam Henshaw (@HenshawAnalysis) January 23, 2021
Said not going to read too much into today earlier in the week as got 3 huge games coming up now. Ref decision changed the game 2nd half but for 75 mins, awful. Some I hope don’t play for #NFFC again after today, chance to prove themselves & absolutely nowhere near good enough.
— ReissNFFC (@ReissNFFC) January 23, 2021
Whilst other fans complained about the game’s officiating:
Kevin friend and his officials should be sacked immediately #nffc pic.twitter.com/vyei9V8UYU
— – (@Hughtxn) January 23, 2021
Tell me we don’t need VAR. Just try. Embarrassing https://t.co/ikXRdiOVUg
— CB (@Chris78901) January 23, 2021
Forest will look to bounce back from their embarrassing defeat as they welcome Barnsley to the City Ground next weekend. Forest have had a torrid time of it against the Tykes in recent seasons, not beating them since September 2019.
Swansea’s next game comes against playoff rivals Brentford as they look to move three points clear in the automatic promotion places.