Under darkened, autumnal skies, the scene was set; A near capacity City Ground buzzing, thousands of away fans having made the long trip down from the North East. With many watching on T.V screens around the world the teams walking out of the tunnel were set to impress, and certainly did not let the neutrals down.

Forest looked a team on a mission from the very off, playing in a 4-2-3-1, with Radolslaw Majevski playing in modern football’s ‘trequartista’ role behind lone striker, Dexter Blackstock. With Mckenna and Moussi doing the grafting in deep central midfield roles, Anderson and Tyson, supplemented by Majewski set about tearing the highly paid Newcastle defence to shreds. As early as the third minute of the game Dexter Blackstock looked to have scored after a long ball from Wes Morgan, he flicked a header only for Steve Harper to impressively scramble the ball away.

Majewski looked his typical enigmatic self and was finding space and creating problems all over the opposition half, first having a decent shot saved and then crossing for Blackstock to once again nearly score from a header that cannoned back off the upright.

Forest continued to press, with Blackstock dominating the Newcastle centre backs, creating further chances for Tyson and Majewski, and the North East team just had no answer for wave after wave of high quality Forest attack.

Paul Anderson was showing all the talent that had him highly rated by all at Liverpool FC and after another fine pacy run, he had a long range shot saved.

Regardless of the constant, almost monotonous waves of Forest attacks, it took until the 45th minute to break the deadlock, Blackstock sent through on goal with an unconvincing finish rolling into the back of the net. Forest’s joy was rewarded ith a well earned break in the half time whistle, with the time worn cliche of the game of two halfs about to be proved once again.

The second half was as many would have expected all Newcastle. The Geordie’s spent 45 minutes pumping the ball into the Forest box, but Morgan and Wilson were equal to the relentless long balls, and Gunter and Cohen helped at full back, getting to the ball first and blocking everything in sight. Marlon Harewood was wasteful up front for the magpies, not really fitting into the team picture and Andy Carroll looked like a beached whale flailing around up front, elbows all over the place, alot of endavour but little effect.

Forest hearts’ and then Newcastle’s were broken within seconds as the second half drove on, after Alan Smith’s flicked header from a free kick was finished by Kevin Nolan, but marginally offside, the goal was disallowed and The City Ground was once again in Raptures.

Nervous faces filled the City Ground toward the end of the second half, especially with Jonas having entered the fray, and running at the Forest defenders with pace. He had a weak shot saved, and whilst looking dangerous, was ultimately ineffectual.

After Paul Mckenna’s substitution, to a huge standing ovation, Joe Garner was brought on, and in an unfamiliar deep role was typically agressive and booked after a few minutes. He did however, do his job to help shore things up with fresh legs and the final whistle was blown to delight from the City Ground faithful, fans and players alike.

Camp – 7 – actually didn’t have the busiest of games, but did his job solidly and was typically confident
Gunter – 7 – Another quality game at right back , not outstanding, but completely comfortable and assured.
Wilson – 8 – Dealt with the aerial threat with unusual ease, dominating the Newcastle strike force.
Morgan – 8 – As with Wilson, completely dominant aerially.
Cohen – 8- never stopped running, fantastic energy and also a more than competant left back performance.
Mckenna – 9 – MOTM Fantastic performance. Typical display of grit, also using the ball very well
Moussi – 7 – Very good job in centre mid, complementing Mckenna, and improving all the time.
Anderson – 8 – Always full of running and desire, and a fantastic mix of quality, pace and endavour
Majewski – 7 – Looks the most creative player in any lineup, and moments of magic
Tyson – 7 – Excellent work rate and pace, but not as much end product as some compatriots
Blackstock – 9 – Fantastic game as the lone striker, looked a premiership player on todays showing.

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