With a 1-0 victory against Huddersfield Town in the Championship play-off final on Sunday, Nottingham Forest secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.
Steve Cooper’s team won the most profitable single match in global football thanks to Levi Colwill’s own goal late in the first half at Wembley.
The extra income from promotion to the top flight is anticipated to be worth £170 million ($214 million).
Forest will be thankful for the significant financial gain. Still, it was the satisfaction of finally being able to rejoin English football’s elite that sparked the frenetic celebrations among their hundreds of red and white-clad supporters.
Forest can look forward to welcoming the Premier League’s best to their City Ground stadium on the banks of the River Trent for the first time in the twenty-first century.
Cooper’s elevation was a personal victory for him, as he has rejuvenated Forest since taking over from the dismissed Chris Hughton in September.
Cooper had the Midas touch as he erased the bitter taste of his defeat with Swansea in last year’s Championship play-off final against Brentford.
Forest was bottom of the table after taking one point from their first seven games, but Cooper had the Midas touch as he erased the bitter taste of his defeat with Swansea in last year’s Championship play-off final against Brentford.
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Cooper salved the wounds of Forest’s worst start to a season in 108 years and ensured the team stayed focused after losing a chance at automatic promotion in the season’s penultimate game against top-two rivals Bournemouth.
Forest, who finished fourth, overcame Sheffield United on penalties in the play-off semi-final and then kept their nerve against Huddersfield to win the title.
Forest’s sleeping giants have finally risen from their slumber, having knocked Arsenal and Leicester out of the FA Cup this season before falling narrowly to Liverpool.
– Back in the big time –
Forest’s golden era began under great manager Brian Clough, who guided the team to the English championship in 1978 and European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.
Forest’s fortunes plummeted after Clough’s departure in 1993, with a three-season stint in the third division highlighting their wilderness years.
Forest had been a frequent visitor to Wembley Stadium under Clough’s tenure, but this was their first visit since 1992.
It’s no surprise that the Forest fans in the 80,000-strong crowd were ecstatic when Ryan Yates wasted a six-yard free-kick from James Garner.
Forest was the better team in a tense match, but there was more sweat than inspiration for long stretches as both teams’ passes went astray.
Sorba Thomas’ cross-shot was pushed away by Forest keeper Brice Samba as Huddersfield struggled to find any rhythm.
Thanks to on-loan Manchester United midfielder Garner, Forest broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute.
As the on-loan Chelsea defender tried to get to the ball before Yates, Garner whipped a dangerous inswinging cross into the Huddersfield area, which Colwill inadvertently deflected into his net.
Huddersfield, shaken by the blow, finally picked up the pace after half-time, and Jonathan Hogg should have done better with a header from a wide corner.
The game-winner came in the 73rd minute when Huddersfield was left fuming after a strong penalty claim was denied.
A challenge from Jack Colback brought down Harry Toffolo, but Huddersfield winger Jon Moss booked him for diving, and VAR refused to overturn the decision.
Huddersfield’s frustrations were compounded when another penalty appeal was turned down after Max Lowe bundled Lewis O’Brien into the ground.
When Samba limped off injured in the final minutes, Forest’s nerves frayed, but the Reds held on to earn their return to the big time.
