Nottingham Forest seized bragging rights in the East Midlands on Friday night, defeating Leicester City and putting their former manager, Steve Cooper, to the sword.
Cooper, who departed Forest last December, returned to the King Power Stadium only to see his side fall short against the club he once led.
Forest outclassed Leicester throughout the contest, with Chris Wood restoring the visitors’ lead shortly after the break. From that moment, it was hard to envision anything other than a Forest victory as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side took full control of proceedings.
Leicester fans were left experiencing a sense of déjà vu.
“As supporters, we’d seen that Steve Cooper film before. It’s like one of those that you don’t really enjoy the first time and you scrunch your face up when someone suggests replaying it.”
On this occasion, however, Cooper found himself in the opposing dugout, watching as his team’s inability to maintain their level across 90 minutes cost them dearly.
Wood’s commanding performance did not go unnoticed, earning him a spot in Troy Deeney’s BBC Sport Team of the Week. Ryan Yates, who also found the net in Forest’s victory, was similarly recognised, with Deeney praising their contributions at the King Power Stadium.
Meanwhile, Gary Neville took the opportunity to highlight the form of Elliot Anderson on Sky Sports.
Anderson, a £35 million summer acquisition, stepped in to cover for the injured Morgan Gibbs-White and has embraced the challenge of playing as a number 10. Anderson’s creativity and energy have made him a valuable asset in recent weeks.
Aina’s Standout Display Earns Praise:
Forest’s victory also saw Ola Aina receive recognition for his stellar performance at right-back. Alan Shearer, who compiles the official Premier League Team of the Week, included Aina alongside Wood, reflecting the growing influence of the Nigerian international.
“Shearer said on the Premier League’s official website about Aina’s performance: ‘A superb shift from Aina. Leicester City had almost no joy down his side of the pitch on Friday.’”
Aina’s assured presence on the right has solidified his role in the starting eleven this season, with Alex Moreno providing balance on the left after joining on loan from Aston Villa. Together, the full-backs have been crucial to Forest’s resurgence.
Forest Look to Secure Aina’s Future
In the wake of Aina’s impressive form, reports have emerged suggesting that Forest are eager to extend his stay at the City Ground. The 27-year-old’s contract is set to expire next summer, and the club is keen to avoid losing a key player on a free transfer.
“At 27, Aina is at the peak of his powers and ultimately Forest can’t afford to be letting players of his ilk leave for free regardless of how little time they’ve spent at the football club.”
Aina has not only been influential on the pitch but also within the dressing room. Callum Hudson-Odoi has revealed that Aina is a driving force behind the team’s spirit, firing up his teammates before matches.
“He can’t be allowed to leave the club any time soon and hopefully, a quick round of talks can see Aina pledge his future to Forest ahead of his very best years as a full-back.”
With Forest keen to secure Aina’s future, negotiations are expected to begin promptly. The club hopes to tie him down to a long-term deal, ensuring his presence for what could be some of the best years of his career.
As Forest continues to build momentum under Espirito Santo, the club’s focus will shift to consolidating key talents like Aina, whose impact both on and off the field has become invaluable.