Nottingham Forest play host to Manchester United in the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, but how did Steve Cooper’s side reach the last four of the League Cup.
Ready for a night under The City Ground lights. ✨ pic.twitter.com/jPboiVaaV6
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 25, 2023
Grimsby 0-3 Nottingham Forest
Forest started their Carabao Cup campaign all the way back in August as they travelled to Grimsby of League Two and with the Midlands’ side having to focus on the Premier League and no disrespect to the EFL side, Cooper opted to play essentially his second choice XI as a number of first-team players were rested. The Forest fringe players got the job done as they defeated Grimsby 3-0 to book their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Forest were drawn against Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground in what a crucial game as Forest knew that victory over Antonio Conte’s men would book their place in the quarter-finals. The Forest players seized the moment as they beat Spurs 2-0 under the lights at the City Ground, thanks to goals from Renan Lodi and Jesse Lingard in the second half.
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Wolves (Forest won on penalties 4-3)
In the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, Cooper’s side were drawn at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and with the fans behind the team, the players had the perfect opportunity to make history and send Forest into their first semi-final of a domestic tournament since 1992. The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes but the players made history as they beat Wolves on penalties 4-3, with United loanee, Dean Henderson saving two spot-kicks to send Forest into the semis.
Forest will now play Manchester United in a two-legged semi-final affair to determine which team advances to the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
