The January signing scored the winner in Monday night’s Championship East Midlands derby triumph at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest manager Martin O’Neill has claimed that Yohan Benalouane “probably” had his best game for the Reds in the 1-0 win over Derby County in the Championship on Monday night.
The East Midlands derby was settled by the Tunisia international’s close-range drive after just over a minute played at the City Ground, the Rams failing to clear Joe Lolley’s inswinging free kick.
Benalouane, a January signing from Leicester City, picked the perfect game to open his Reds account and his contribution up front and at the back was part of a titanic effort by Forest to ensure all three points and possession of the Brian Clough trophy for the first time in three years.
The Rams came close to drawing level through Martyn Waghorn but that was pretty much the only concrete danger for the Trickies, who had further opportunities to increase their lead through Daryl Murphy, Joe Lolley and Ryan Yates.
With O’Neill enjoying a maiden East Midlands derby win as Forest manager, bragging rights, and the team now just three points adrift of the playoffs – albeit having played more games than the three teams above them – the Northern Irishman was eager to praise Benalouane and his centre-back partner.
“Benalouane probably had his best game for us and he has been doing very well,” O’Neill told the Daily Mail. “I am delighted to win. We defended strongly and both centre-backs played very well, with (Alex) Milosevic very steady too.”
Up next for Forest is a trip to Stoke City next Saturday.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
