Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo hailed his aspect’s set-piece enchancment as a key issue of their first win over Manchester United at Previous Trafford in 30 years.
Defender Nikola Milenkovic discovered the web from a nook after simply 90 seconds as Forest went on to win 3-2 and inflict a second defeat on United boss and Espirito Santo’s compatriot, Ruben Amorim.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wooden additionally scored, with the latter etching his title into the historical past books by turning into Forest’s all-time main goalscorer within the Premier League.
Hojlund had levelled for United 1 / 4 of an hour after Milenkovic’s opener, and Bruno Fernandes – who was partly at fault for Gibbs-White’s strike virtually instantly after the restart – pulled one again for the hosts.
Nikola Milenkovic nets his FIRST purpose for Nottingham Forest! ⚽⚡ pic.twitter.com/Ni1AMQBydE
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024
However Forest held on for a well-known victory, a lot to the delight of their supervisor.
“[We showed] the togetherness, the idea, the need to enhance and the idea that we are able to go and compete in opposition to any crew,” Espirito Santo advised Sky Sports activities.
“The beginning of the sport is essential. The way in which we begin is a large element and it modifications every little thing.
“We all know United are a terrific crew they usually had been going to react. Within the first-half we weren’t completely organised. The start of the second-half was enormous.
“So it means quite a bit. The highway that we are attempting to do collectively is sensible so long as all people believes. Even if you happen to come from the bench you may play your half.”
In regards to the significance of dead-ball conditions, the Forest boss added: “We at all times attempt to be constant in our set-pieces. That’s one thing now we have been bettering on. Thank God it got here out proper as a result of we spend numerous time on the coaching floor making an attempt to repeat.
“The one factor I believe we should always have performed higher was counter assault. We didn’t obtain too many.
“However the unity of the crew was good.”
A birthday current for our document @PremierLeague goalscorer. 🎁 pic.twitter.com/YjaLTPGOzk
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 7, 2024
Gibbs-White additionally praised ahead Wooden, and admitted he’s relishing enjoying with the 33-year-old.
“I like working with Woody [Wood]. He’s an unimaginable striker to work with,” mentioned Gibbs-White.
“I simply know precisely the place he’s going to be, what he’s going to do. He’s at all times peeling off defenders, coming in entrance. I picked him out properly however, to be truthful to him, he did all of the work.
“I like enjoying with him on the minute.”