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Forest dare to dream Huge moment for Nottingham and our journey, says Nuno after reaching first FA Cup semifinal in 34 years

Nottingham Forest players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout against Brighton in the FA Cup quarterfinal yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

N UNO ESPIRITO SANTO savoured a “huge moment” for Nottingham Forest after they reached their first FA Cup semifinal in 34 years. Goalkeeper Matz Sels saved spot-kicks from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez as Forest beat Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw at the Amex Stadium. Sels had previously made crucial saves in shoot-outs against Exeter and Ipswich in the previous two rounds. This time he had Forest partying like it was 1991, the last time they reached the last four of the competition under Brian Clough. “Good goalkeeping but also good shooting,” said Nuno. “The third time and it’s the first penalty we missed in all the shootouts. It’s credit to the players. And of course fantastic goalkeeping.” Neco Williams skied his penalty for Forest but it did not matter as captain Ryan Yates stepped up to send the Reds through. “It means a lot for all of us and especially for him to take the last penalty to send us to Wembley. Remarkable,” added Nuno, who sat in

the dug-out throughout the shoot-out while the rest of the players and staff stood shoulder-to shoulder on the touchline. “I’m too nervous. It’s a moment of anxiety. And superstition. I just prefer to sit down. “It means a lot, it’s a huge moment for our club and on our journey. It’s a huge competition, the FA Cup. We are delighted.” Forest skipper Yates added: “It’s been an incredible season. We have achieved nothing yet but to send (our fans) to Wembley again – we know how special it was last time, getting promoted. “It will be a special day and I am so pleased for the supporters and overall I think we deserved it.” Speaking about his spot-kick, Yates said “I was a bit nervous to be fair, just so relieved it went in. Matz saved two penalties and I just knew I had to capitalise and send us to Wembley.” Stuart Pearce was in Forest’s class of ’91, and he was on radio commentary duty at the Amex and looking in fine fettle following his recent health scare. Pearce knew a thing or two about penalty

shootouts so he would have enjoyed the climax, if not the 120 minutes that preceded it. Forest were awarded a penalty when Kaoru Mitoma slid in on Elliot Anderson, only for referee Peter Bankes to change his mind on review. The visitors’ bench exploded in a fit of rage as Nuno and his goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa confronted the fourth official Thomas Bramall. Barbosa, in particular, appeared to be incandescent as he wildly gesticulated at the official and held up two fingers – appearing to suggest Forest should’ve been awarded two penalties. BBC Sport commentator Steve Wilson described the Forest bench as “absolutely delirious” after learning that Bankes had reversed his decision with help from VAR. However, his co-commentator Matthew Upson agreed with the decision to overturn after replays showed that Anderson had appeared to plant his foot on Mitoma’s elbow when the Japanese had gone to ground. It was a rare bright spark in an otherwise dull clash between two high-flying Premier League

sides, with injuries, stoppages and missed opportunities in the final third contributing to a gritty encounter. Gomez went closest to winning it for Brighton in extra-time, but his header was tipped over by Sels. It meant Brighton were denied a third semifinal appearance in seven years, and boss Fabian Hurzeler admitted the result hurt as much as the 7-0 drubbing by the same opposition in the Premier League last month. “No difference. It’s two big losses,” said the German, who chose the penalty takers himself. “I take responsibility. In the end they had a great goalkeeper and in the end we weren’t able to win this game. “I think in the 90 minutes we didn’t do enough to win this game. In the extra-time we did enough. Then we had some big chances and we weren’t able to score. “The main thing now is to show a reaction. To be disappointed today and tomorrow, keep the heads up and show a reaction and prove we are able to stick together as a team.” – The Independent/Agencies

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