Reaching FA Cup semi-finals a huge moment for Nottingham Forest, says manager Nuno Espirito Santo

BRIGHTON – Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said it was a big moment for the club to reach their first FA Cup semi-finals in 34 years after they beat fellow English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties on March 29.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels and midfielder Ryan Yates proved to be Forest heroes as they knocked out Brighton 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after the game finished goal-less following extra time at the Amex Stadium.

Belgian Sels saved successive spot kicks from Brighton duo Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez, while captain Yates scored the decisive penalty for the visitors to send them to Wembley.

“We are so happy, all of us. It was a dream seeing our fans like that. There is nothing better,” Nuno told the club’s website.

“In terms of the performance, I think the boys did really well, really well.

“We controlled the midfield and I think we were dominant against a team that is difficult to control and credit to the team for that.

“To win is a huge moment for all of us and especially Ryan Yates, he’s a one-club man, club captain.”

It also marked a third straight FA Cup penalty shoot-out victory for Forest, having knocked out Exeter City and Ipswich Town on penalties in the earlier rounds.

They are the first team to win three FA Cup shoot-outs in the same season. In fact, they have won 13 of a total 14 shoot-outs in all competitions.

Sels said it was a moment to enjoy.

He siad: “We had a few chances to score in the game but we went to penalties and I did my research which was good to help the team.

“Over the last few weeks, we have worked on penalties. It’s different in training of course, and there is more pressure in the match.

“I’m happy to help the team and save two penalties.

“The guys did the rest and I’m really proud of them and we’ll look forward to another game in this competition.

“It’s been a few years since the supporters have been to a semi-final, so we’ll look forward to it as a team, hopefully we can go there and do something greater.”

Forest crushed Brighton 7-0 at the City Ground in the English Premier League in February, a result that ranked as the Seagulls’ heaviest defeat for 67 years.

Since that humbling loss, Brighton had won four times in a five-game unbeaten run in the league, but they were unable to stop Forest’s penalty mastery.

Forest, who last won the FA Cup in 1959, have climbed to third in the Premier League, leaving them within touching distance of appearing in the Champions League for the first time since 1980-81.

They are five points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea and six ahead of fifth-placed Manchester City with nine games to go.

Brian Clough’s men were the last Forest team to make the FA Cup semi-finals, beating West Ham United before losing the 1991 final to Tottenham Hotspur.

Meanwhile, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said: “I didn’t think we did enough in 90 minutes to win the game but in extra time we did, we had some big chances.

“I don’t know how well prepared their goalkeeper was but in the end he made two saves in the penalties so he was their match winner.” REUTERS, AFP