Goalkeeper struggled at Newcastle but heroics in Nottingham has set up a chase for Europe on two fronts Matz Sels might have thought his FA Cup story had ended with a humiliating defeat at League One Oxford United, in what turned out to be his final game of a forgettable spell at Newcastle. The Belgian, 33, was bought to be the club’s No 1 in 2016 but managed only 14 appearances in a turbulent period at St James’ Park before departing for the serenity of Strasbourg two years later. In five and a half seasons in France, Sels rebuilt his career. He won the Coupe de la Ligue in 2019 and was named Ligue 1’s best goalkeeper of the 2021-22 season. His consistency alerted teams to him but he was a long way down Nottingham Forest’s shortlist when they were looking for a goalkeeper in January 2024. The £5m punt they took on him has paid off spectacularly though and Sels has an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City to look forward to on Sunday. His saves in three shootouts have helped Forest to get there. Continue reading...

Manchester City failed to sell full allocation at Wembley‘I understand it’s not easy, I understand they don’t come’ Pep Guardiola has called on the Football Association to reconsider playing FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley and move the fixtures to more convenient locations to help fans. Thousands of seats will be empty on Sunday after Manchester City failed to sell out their allocation of 36,230 tickets amid travel and cost concerns. When City face Nottingham Forest, it will be the 28th time the club have played at the new Wembley as a neutral venue since it opened 18 years ago. The allure has diminished while the price of attending a semi-final has increased, with tickets costing £150, £120 and £90 still available on Friday morning. Continue reading...

Arsenal want a Barcelona defender, Nottingham Forest consider a Manchester City move and Manchester United look at Matheus Cunha alternatives - BBC gossip column.

‘When we scored the first goal we didn’t celebrate’Spaniard promises: ‘Next season will be better’ Pep Guardiola has pointed to how the “stupid detail” of Manchester City’s underwhelming body language when celebrating goals shows the spirit has been lost and has to be recovered if they are to challenge for the title next season. The champions have endured a disappointing Premier League ­campaign and are third on 61 points, 17 behind the leaders, Liverpool. They face ­Nottingham Forest in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Continue reading...

As Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Man City play in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, what's more important - a trophy or a place in the Champions League?

BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton takes on golf superstar and Nottingham Forest fan Lee Westwood with his predictions for this weekend's FA Cup semi-finals and Premier League games.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, George Elek and Sanny Rudravajhala as Leeds and Burnley confirm their return to the Premier League over a busy Easter weekend in the EFL Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast and Stitcher, and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email. On the podcast today; the panel briefly summarise Nottingham Forest’s huge win over Spurs that propelled them back into the Champions League qualification spots before moving on to the Championship and Leeds and Burnley being promoted back into the Premier League. Continue reading...

Nottingham Forest could become the first side in Premier League history to finish in the top four with less than 40% average possession.

A win over the Portuguese’s obliging former club breathed life into Nottingham Forest’s chase for the top five As the old adage goes, never go back. Unless your opponents are Tottenham Hotspur and your name is Nuno Espírito Santo that is. On a night when Nottingham Forest desperately needed to get their Champions League challenge back on the rails, Ange Postecoglou’s side could hardly have been more obliging opponents until they finally mounted a late flurry after Richarlison had pulled a goal back with three minutes to play. Continue reading...

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo gives credit to his players' mindset after his side were able to bounce back from defeat against Everton to beat Tottenham 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says they have "let themselves down" after a "self-inflicted" 2-1 loss against Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

There is no need to attempt to rewrite history by arguing that Tottenham Hotspur failed to see what they had in Nuno Espírito Santo. All that matters now is that this meticulous, softly spoken manager is the perfect fit for Nottingham Forest. They have provided Nuno with the perfect platform for his counterpunching tactics and, in what would surely be the story of the Premier League season, are ­closing in on Champions League football after cruising to victory over Ange Postecoglou’s limp and ­uninterested Spurs side. This was cool, clinical and resilient from Forest as they bounced back from two successive defeats by rising into third place with five games left. Nerves, it seems, are not for them. They struck early through Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood, who punished diffident defending, and then leant on their defensive prowess to claim the points. Spurs, stuck in 16th after falling to their 18th defeat in 33 games, were beaten inside 16 minutes, a header from Richarlison coming too late to save them. Continue reading...

Those who know the man behind the stern facade all attest to the special qualities of a manager who has taken club to unexpected heights Communication is key for Nuno Espírito Santo, whether it is speaking to his squad, playing music or guiding horses over jumps. Simple and clear messages make working for and with the Nottingham Forest head coach uncomplicated, because everybody knows what is demanded of them on and off the pitch. The only place Nuno’s methods have not worked at is Tottenham, where he returns on Monday with Forest, who are in a race to qualify for the Champions League and are preparing for an FA Cup semi-final. The Portuguese was never the right fit in north London, lasting four months before being dismissed, but he will not be out for revenge: the league table has done that for him. Continue reading...

David Moyes’ side have collected 21 points since January‘Some are standing up and doing really well,’ he says David Moyes believes Everton’s recent form against leading Premier League teams has opened players’ eyes to their true potential and influenced his decision on their futures. The Everton manager admits he did not expect many points from an April schedule of Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Chelsea when he studied the fixture list on his return to the club. Everton’s opponents were the league’s top five at the start of the month. A narrow defeat at Liverpool, a draw with Arsenal and victory at Forest, however, have altered perceptions of Moyes and his players before they encounter Pep Guardiola’s side at Goodison Park on Saturday. Continue reading...