Dean Henderson was the penalty shootout hero as Nottingham Forest beat Wolves at the City Ground to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1992.
Henderson fended off Ruben Neves’ kick after Jose Sa denied Sam Surridge, then fended off Joe Hodge’s effort after Forest converted the remaining four penalties.
Forest had led in normal times when former Wolves duo Morgan Gibbs-White and Willy Boly combined, Gibbs-White grabbing an excellent first-half corner in the penalty area and Boly stabbing from close range.
Wolves scored a superb equalizer when new loan signing Matheus Cunha’s low cross called on striker Raul Jimenez on arrival.
The match ended in ugly scenes in the center of the pitch, with stewards involved to separate players as tempers frayed.
Boly does not celebrate a rare goal
It has become accepted that players do not celebrate goals against their former clubs, a tradition Boly has maintained despite his efforts being his first for Forest.
It seemed a little strange.
After all, the Ivory Coast defender actively requested a move away from Molineux this summer, having received a substantial offer from Forest.
Moreover, scoring is a rare experience for the 31-year-old. He last found the net almost two years ago, in Wolves’ home defeat to West Brom. It was one of six he scored in five seasons with the club.
Unfortunately for Boly, his evening ended early. Although he tried to continue after getting injured in a clash with Hwang Hee-chan, he quickly reported that it was impossible.
A growing list of injuries is one of the reasons Cooper cited for Forest’s need to enter the transfer market this month.
And now that Forest have two more games to play this month, that need is even more acute.
Not that such issues bothered home fans as they celebrated victory and an upcoming semi-final appearance in a competition legendary former boss Brian Clough won four times during his illustrious spell with the club. .
Wolves greater goal threat
Wolves fans have adapted a chant usually heard at Arsenal, singing of manager Julen Lopetegui “he knows exactly what we need”.
In all honesty, it was nothing revealing. Wolves were shockingly scoring goals ahead of the World Cup break.
Although Cunha’s arrival in January alone will not solve the problem, even without the currently injured Diego Costa Wolves, the threat is much greater.
Henderson made two excellent saves late in the first half to deny Jimenez – Goncalo Guedes should have threatened from the rebound but blazed – and Hwang.
Jimenez’s equalizer was the end product of skillful team play from the visitors, which included a telling contribution from Neves to allow Cunha to deliver the decisive low cross.
It was Wolves’ eighth goal in six games since Lopetegui took charge. It had taken Wolves 13 games to get their previous eight, part of a dismal 11 before the World Cup.
Henderson was to have the final say, however, as Wolves missed out on what would have been their first appearance in the last four of this competition since winning in 1980.
