Nottingham Forest secured a spot in the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a win over Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties at the Amex Stadium on Saturday evening.
A cagey affair was brought to life midway through the second half, when Elliot Anderson was brought to ground under the challenge of Kaoru Mitoma, leading to referee Peter Bankes pointing to the penalty spot.
However, after a VAR review, the referee overturned his decision, leaving both the Forest players and fans furious, as they felt that there were two potential penalties in the same phase of play.
The two sides could not be separated in 90 minutes, and the hosts came very close to taking the lead in the second half of extra time, when Diego Gomez saw his header expertly saved by Matz Sels.
Sels proved to be the hero, as he denied both Gomez and Jack Hinshelwood in the shootout, before Ryan Yates scored the winning penalty to send Forest through to Wembley.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Heading into the weekend's FA Cup ties, this was arguably the most difficult match to call - Forest had thrashed Brighton 7-0 in their league meeting last month, but with this game at the Amex, it was always more likely to be closer.
The first half proved just that, as despite the visitors looking like the better side, it was Brighton that produced the best opportunity, when Carlos Baleba's shot crept narrowly wide shortly before the interval.
Forest also had the better of the second half, and they were unhappy that they were not awarded a penalty for Mitoma's foul on Anderson.
The game seemed destined for penalties after that point, and although the Seagulls arguably had the better of extra time, the game was lacking the quality required to settle a quarter-final without penalties.
Overall, the visitors were worthy of their place in the semi-finals, as they just about edged the tie over the course of the match, but it certainly was not the prettiest game of football to watch.
BRIGHTON VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
63rd min: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) penalty appeal
VAR overturned a penalty for Nottingham Forest after Kaoru Mitoma's challenge on Elliot Anderson 👀#FACup pic.twitter.com/58Iq0H1DrX
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 29, 2025
It looked as if the visitors were going to get the opportunity to break the deadlock, but VAR has intervened!
Anderson is brought down by Mitoma, and the referee Bankes originally awarded a penalty, but after a lengthy VAR check, the game will remain goalless for now!
Ryan Yates penalty goal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (penalty shootout, Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest)
RYAN YATES SENDS NOTTINGHAM FOREST THROUGH TO THE FA CUP SEMI-FINAL 👏#FACup pic.twitter.com/S4eKMwF4wD
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 29, 2025
Forest's captain has sent them through to the semi-finals! With all the pressure in the world on him, he has delivered the goods!
MAN OF THE MATCH - NIKOLA MILENKOVIC
© Imago
The Serbian defender was a rock at the back for Forest, and he helped his side to a clean sheet across 120 minutes of play.
It felt like he could handle everything thrown at him by the Brighton attack, as they failed to break down a stubborn Forest defence, and he also netted in the shootout to help his team through to the semi-finals.
BRIGHTON VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton 53%-47% Nottingham Forest
Shots: Brighton 13-13 Nottingham Forest
Shots on target: Brighton 2-5 Nottingham Forest
Corners: Brighton 6-7 Nottingham Forest
Fouls: Brighton 19-10 Nottingham Forest
BEST STATS
Nottingham Forest are trying to reach their first #FACup semi-final for 34 years.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 29, 2025
Brighton will simply be looking to avenge their 7-0 defeat at the hands of #NFFC back in February.
🎧📱🖥 Join @GaryLineker on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and the @BBCSport app now ⬇️#BBCFootball
Forest have done a better job on Brighton's front four than any other team in recent matches.
— Andy Naylor (@AndyNaylorBHAFC) March 29, 2025
They have all been kept quiet. Mitoma especially has looked off the pace, but that can change with him at any moment, 0-0 (43). #BHAFC #BHANOF #EmiratesFACup
Nottingham Forest are through to the FA Cup semi-final!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 29, 2025
Captain Ryan Yates scores the winning penalty in the shootout 🎯#FACup pic.twitter.com/mjkIfKHwUt
WHAT NEXT?
Both sides are back in action in midweek, as Forest continue their push for Champions League football next season with a home clash against Manchester United on Tuesday night.
The Seagulls are at home again on Wednesday night, hoping to boost their own hopes of qualifying for Europe next season when they entertain Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Tom Humphrey
