Nottingham Forest seal 2-0 win over Coventry in the Championship

Nottingham Forest continue their Championship playoff push as they seal 2-0 win over Coventry thanks to homegrown talent Brennan Johnson’s opener and James Garner’s second-half strike

  • Nottingham Forest beat Coventry 2-0 at the City Ground on Wednesday
  • Brennan Johnson opened the scoring as he turned in Jack Colback’s cross
  • Man United loanee James Garner doubled Forest’s lead in the second half 
  • The result saw Steve Cooper’s side climb up to fifth in the Championship 

Brennan Johnson has been listening. Fifteen goals for the season is the result.

Forest’s homegrown talent enhances his reputation every time he steps on to the pitch and now he has added scoring to the repertoire.

Manager Steve Cooper is a specialist in the art of bringing on promising youngsters and it is not just Johnson who is benefitting.

Nottingham Forest secured a 2-0 win over Coventry in the Championship on Wednesday

Homegrown talent Brennan Johnson (No 20) opened the scoring for the home side

Manchester United loanee James Garner has also blossomed and when Keinan Davis gave him the opportunity, blasted Forest’s second.

Johnson’s opener last night will not win any awards for appearance but he was still in the right place at the right time.

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS

FOREST: Samba 6; Worrall 7, Figueiredo 7, McKenna 7; Spence 7, Yates 7, Garner 8, Colback 8; Zinckernagel 8 (Lolley); Johnson 7 (Grabban), Davis 9 (Surridge)

Subs not used: Horvarth, Laryea, Mighten, Cafu

COVENTRY: Moore 6; Rose 7, Hyam 7, Bidwell 6; Kane 6 (Maatsen), Allen 7, Hamer 6 (Howley) , Sheaf 6, Dabo 6; O’Hare 7; Gyokeres 6

Subs not used: Wilson, Waghorn, Shipley, Tavares, Bapaga

A match full of pretty patterns at the start – mainly from Coventry – burst into life thanks to a triple combination of Keinan Davis, Jack Colback and Johnson.

Davis found Colback, whose cross was turned in by Johnson from close range although he needed a second attempt before it crossed the line.

The breakthrough had the knock-on effect of a release of tension and suddenly Forest were swarming all over their Midlands rivals.

James Garner’s free kick fed Djed Spence but his low shot was cleared and it needed Simon Moore to save from Zinckernagel and Dom Hyam to block another Zinckernagel effort.

Forest started the night in eighth but their play-off push has been gathering impressive momentum in recent weeks.

As well has having games in hand, Cooper’s team have built up a plus 21 goal difference which is far superior to their rivals and almost worth another point.

Add 11 goals in the last three matches to the mix and a packed City Ground gathered last night in excited anticipation.

Coventry have gone off the boil, winless in three since beating Sheffield United, and face a tough run-in including a trip to Fulham and a home fixture against Bournemouth.

They certainly did not look like a side with a run like that and kept home goalkeeper Brice Samba on his toes. Even after the goal, they were looking to break at every opportunity.

The first half also saw an incident of a laser being used by a fan with referee Tim Robinson alerting the fourth official and security staff.

Manchester United loanee James Garner (left) doubled the lead for Steve Cooper’s side

Back to the action and Forest showed no signs of shutting up shop, bringing on Joe Lolley and looking for a second killer. Shots were of the long-range variety and no real threat.

Then the impressive Davis shook off his marker, teed up Garner and his finish was explosive.

Davis had a couple of penalty claims turned down and left the pitch to a standing ovation. The striker, on loan from Aston Villa, has added a presence to the team and is a master at bringing team-mates into the action.




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