Nottingham Forest ended their disappointing run of form by defeating Birmingham City 3-1, thanks to goals from Eric Lichaj, Apostolos Vellios and Hildeberto Pereira. Here’s how the Forest players rated.
Birmingham’s Jacques Maghoma in action with Nottingham Forest’s Eric Lichaj (R)
GK: Vladimir Sojkovic (7/10) – The Serbian international goalkeeper was largely untroubled by a Birmingham City forward line without talisman Clayton Donaldson. Made a good stop to deny Birmingham midfielder David Davis, but remained on his line for the cross leading to Lukas Jutkiewicz’s goal – struggling to get a hand to the Birmingham forward’s header.
RB: Eric Lichaj (8/10) – One of the American’s better performances this season. Lichaj’s work-rate and energy on Forest’s right-hand-side was a pleasing outlet, especially as the contest struggled to get going in the first half. The former Aston-Villa full-back capped his impressive showing with a fantastically taken goal on 33 minutes.
Birmingham’s Clayton Donaldson in action with Nottingham Forest’s Damien Perquis
CB: Matt Mills (7/10) & Damien Pequis (8/10) – Strong and resilient in the air, Mills and defensive partner Damien Perquis will be pleased to have kept in-form Birmingham City at bay for large parts of the game, particularly considering Forest’s recent poor defensive record.
LB: Armand Traore (6/10) – Senegalese international Traore made little impact but was solid enough. Selected in preference to Danny Fox, the former Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers defender was substituted for the impactful scorer of Forest’s third goal, Hildeberto Pereira (8/10), in the second half.
CM: Chris Cohen (8/10) & David Vaughan (8/10) – Cohen and Vaughan were outstanding as the ‘double-pivot’ for Nottingham Forest. Their games were catered around providing a shield for Forest’s back line, which the pair did very effectively as the team with the second worst defensive record in the Championship held Birmingham City to just one goal.
Birmingham’s Che Adams in action with Nottingham Forest’s Mustapha Carayol
RM: Mustapha Carayol (7/10) – Summer signing from Middlesborough, Mustafa Carayol, demonstrated his pace and energy for 82 minutes before being replaced by defender Thomas Lam (6/10). Carayol’s accuracy from crossing and shooting positions was a little erratic.
LM: Ben Osborn (8/10) – Osborn’s contribution was more than the assist on Pereira’s goal, as the Nottingham Forest academy product looked impressive with the ball at his feet and troubled Birmingham’s right side on several occasions.
Ben Osborn is having a mint game! All over the pitch and getting stuck and making stuff happen!! #nffc
— Ashley (@ashrossdavis) October 14, 2016
AM: Henri Lansbury (8/10) – Had a free kick goal disallowed in the early stages of the game and continued to look threatening from numerous set pieces. Lansbury’s efforts as the link between midfield and attack were admirable throughout.
Nottingham Forest’s Apostolos Vellios scores their second goal
FW: Nicklas Bendtner (7/10) & Apostolos Vellios (7/10) – Bendtner’s assist for Lichaj’s opening goal highlighted the quality that the inconsistent Denmark international possesses. After a nasty-looking ankle injury, Bendtner was replaced by the in-form Vellios – who made an immediate impact by scoring shortly after joining the game, making it five goals in eight appearances for Greek international Vellios.
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