Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton Town: Senior Premier League players easily edge managerless Hatters in FA Cup, as eyes shift to clash with Liverpool


And so the Nottingham Forest Express continues its journey. Seven wins in a row for Nuno Espirito Santo's side and a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup thanks to a routine 2-0 victory over Luton thanks to goals from Ryan Yates and Ramon Sosa.

But it's the next stop on this incredible journey that has everyone here dreaming.

Because when Sosa added Forest's second, thoughts at the City Ground had turned to Tuesday night and the visit of title rivals Liverpool. That's right, rivals for the title.

'Damn Scouse, we're coming for you' were the chants that cut through the frozen air on the banks of the River Trent.

In reality, Forest has much more important things to do than this. They are third in the Premier League and Mohamed Salah and company. Come here in three days and Forest will have a chance to reduce the gap to three points.

No wonder, then, that Nuno changed every player from the team that beat Wolves to start the year. He has a title decision ahead of him, what are you waiting for? Gotta keep the guys fresh.

Ryan Yates was among the goalscorers as Nottingham Forest claimed a 2-0 win over Luton.

Ryan Yates was among the goalscorers as Nottingham Forest claimed a 2-0 win over Luton.

Yates put the hosts ahead late in the first half of the FA Cup third round.

Yates put the hosts ahead late in the first half of the FA Cup third round.

Ramón Sosa sealed Bosque's place in the fourth round draw with his second after the hour mark

Ramón Sosa sealed Bosque's place in the fourth round draw with his second after the hour mark

While Forest hopes to continue writing this remarkable chapter, Luton, on the other hand, has just said goodbye to the man who gave them their own dream-filled adventure.

Rob Edwards, the manager who took this small club to the Premier League, who left his position this week with the team in danger of consecutive relegations to League One after four consecutive defeats.

Make it five now. Luton never really stood a chance, mainly because Forest never let them.

Forest did not play like a team of 11 new faces, nor a group of strangers, as they moved the ball quickly with captain Ryan Yates pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

It took a good last-minute block from Luton's Mark McGuinness to deny the crafty Jota Silva from getting an early shot on goal.

Yates was magnificent. He hit the crossbar from distance and it was only fair that the home lad gave Forest the lead just before the break, heading in Jota Silva's cross after a ghost run into the box.

“If Yatesy scores, we'll be at Trent,” chanted the home fans during the first half. It will be a lively afternoon for those followers who wanted to remain true to their word.

If Forest are to maintain their title challenge, a lot will depend on the fitness of star striker Chris Wood. The New Zealand striker has scored 12 of Forest's 29 league goals this season, eight more than any other teammate.

Nuno Espirito Santo's men have won seven in a row and have Liverpool in their sights

Nuno Espirito Santo's men have won seven in a row and have Liverpool in their sights

Nottingham Forest fans turned their attention to Tuesday's match against their title rivals.

Nottingham Forest fans turned their attention to Tuesday's match against their title rivals.

Paul Trollope, right, was in caretaker charge at Luton following the sacking of Rob Edwards.

Paul Trollope, right, was in caretaker charge at Luton following the sacking of Rob Edwards.

If injured, Forest will likely turn to Taiwo Awoniyi, who led the line here. He came off the bench late to score his team's third against Wolves last time out, but I would have expected more here. He wasted a good chance in the first half before firing another chance straight at the goalkeeper early in the second.

Not that it mattered at all beyond the forward's confidence. Luton offered little, the closest they came was when Liam Walsh pulled Forest goalkeeper Carlos Miguel out of his lounger to knock down a diving shot from 30 yards until the final 10 minutes when Carlton Morris headed straight at him from close range. distance and should have done better.

But at this point in the game, they really knew the game was over. Forest had scored a second goal after Silva cleared the right and crossed for Sosa to score at the near post, they had brought out their big guns and were pressing hard to score the third.

Nuno and the Forest faithful will not envy a place in the fourth round of a competition they have had twice, but not since 1959, but they know that the most important test is in three days' time.

Liverpool will offer a much, much, much bigger test but, make no mistake, this is a club prepared to meet that challenge head-on.

MATCH DATA

Nottingham Forest (3-4-3): Miguel; Lord, Boly, Love, Toffolo; Ward-Prowse (Danilo 85), Yates (Domínguez 74); Da Silva Moreira, Jota (Campo 74), Sosa (Hudson-Odoi 74); Awoniyi (Wood 74)

Unused subs: Sels, Anderson, Milenkovic, Abbott

Goals: Yachts 40', Sosa 68'

Manager: Nuno Holy Spirit

Luton (4-2-3-1): Kaminski; Walters, McGuinness, Holmes, Bell; Nakamba, Lamine Fanne (Clark 74), Walsh; Jones (Adebayo 69), Nelson (Marrón 57), Morris

Unused subs: Krul, Andersen, Krauss, Woodrow, Mpanzu, Hashioka

Acting Manager: Pablo Trollope



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By Kevin Rogers

Kevin is a seasoned sports journalist with 15 years of experience covering major leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB. His dynamic commentary and expert game analysis connect with fans across all sports, ensuring reliable and engaging coverage. Phone: +1 (212) 574-9823

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