Africa-Press – Ghana. Brennan Johnson’s first Forest double took the Wales international’s season tally to 14 – nine of which have come since Christmas
Nottingham Forest scored three first-half goals as they boosted their Championship play-off hopes with victory at Blackpool.
Brennan Johnson’s first-half double followed Philip Zinckernagel’s highly fortuitous opener, and substitute Sam Surridge’s late fourth cemented victory before Callum Connolly’s consolation goal for Blackpool.
After starting the day in ninth, Forest’s eighth away league win of the season – and eighth game without defeat – lifted them to fifth going into the afternoon fixtures.
However, while the visitors were much the better side, all three first-half goals owed something to luck, especially the opener.
From Johnson’s low right-wing cross on 11 minutes, Zinckernagel’s near-post effort clipped Blackpool defender Jordan Thorniley’s heel and span up cruelly over goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw to find the left corner.
Johnson then got on the scoresheet on the half-hour when Ryan Yates’ pass deflected kindly into his path off James Husband and the in-form Wales international despatched an instinctive right-foot half-volley low into the same bottom corner.
And when Grimshaw miscued a clearance straight to Johnson, the 20-year-old made him pay with clinical efficiency, nutmegging Husband before firing past the hapless keeper for his 14th goal of the campaign and his ninth since Christmas.
Blackpool had as much possession throughout, created chances of their own and were certainly not flattered by the scoreline – especially when Surridge slid home an excellent Forest fourth.
But the hosts at least had the final word when Blackpool defender Connolly, a second-half substitute for Kevin Stewart, volleyed home Thorniley’s knockdown.
Who’s next?
Blackpool still had an outside chance of making the play-offs prior to kick-off, having begun the day just six points behind Forest in 13th.
But, with eight games left, beginning with two successive away Lancashire derbies, at Preston on Tuesday and Blackburn next Saturday, it looks a tall order.
Forest now face two Midlands derbies this week, at home to fellow play-off contenders Coventry on Tuesday, then against Birmingham City on Saturday.
Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsBlackpool
Formation 4-4-2
32Grimshaw35Sterling21Ekpiteta34Thorniley3Husband11Bowler6Stewart12Dougall22Hamilton14Madine9Yates
32Grimshaw35Sterling21Ekpiteta34Thorniley3Husband11Bowler6StewartBooked at 55minsSubstituted forConnollyat 60’minutes12Dougall22HamiltonSubstituted forAndersonat 63’minutes14Madine9YatesSubstituted forLaveryat 75’minutes
Substitutes
1Maxwell2Connolly5James10Anderson19Lavery26Keogh28Beesley
Nottm Forest
Formation 3-4-1-2
30Samba4Worrall3Figueiredo26McKenna2Spence22Yates37Garner8Colback11Zinckernagel20Johnson9Davis
30Samba4Worrall3Figueiredo26McKenna2Spence22Yates37Garner8Colback11ZinckernagelSubstituted forLolleyat 74’minutesBooked at 88mins20JohnsonSubstituted forGrabbanat 66’minutes9DavisSubstituted forSurridgeat 66’minutes
Substitutes
1Horvath6Mbe Soh7Grabban16Surridge17Mighten18Ribeiro Dias23Lolley
Referee:Jarred GillettAttendance:13,986Match StatsHome TeamBlackpoolAway TeamNottm ForestPossessionHome50%Away50%ShotsHome18Away17Shots on TargetHome5Away7CornersHome8Away4FoulsHome9Away8Live TextPost update
Match ends, Blackpool 1, Nottingham Forest 4.
90’+5’Full Time
Second Half ends, Blackpool 1, Nottingham Forest 4.
90’+5’Post update
Attempt blocked. Sam Surridge (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
90’+4’Post update
Djed Spence (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+4’Post update
Foul by James Husband (Blackpool).
90’+1’Post update
Offside, Nottingham Forest. Tobias Figueiredo tries a through ball, but Lewis Grabban is caught offside.
90’+1’Post update
Attempt blocked. Tobias Figueiredo (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Garner with a cross.
90’Post update
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by James Husband.
90’Post update
Attempt blocked. Lewis Grabban (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Lolley.
89’goalGoal!
Goal! Blackpool 1, Nottingham Forest 4. Callum Connolly (Blackpool) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jordan Thorniley following a set piece situation.
88’Booking
Joe Lolley (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
88’Post update
Foul by Joe Lolley (Nottingham Forest).
88’Post update
James Husband (Blackpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
87’Post update
Corner, Blackpool. Conceded by Tobias Figueiredo.
84’Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum Connolly (Blackpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
84’Post update
Attempt blocked. Josh Bowler (Blackpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Keshi Anderson with a cross.
83’Post update
Attempt blocked. Joe Lolley (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Yates.
82’goalGoal!
Goal! Blackpool 0, Nottingham Forest 4. Sam Surridge (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Scott McKenna following a fast break.
79’Post update
Attempt missed. Keshi Anderson (Blackpool) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Dujon Sterling with a cross.
78’Post update
Attempt missed. Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Djed Spence following a set piece situation.
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