Hudson-Odoi delivers four-word Elanga verdict after Nottingham Forest win
Anthony Elanga was Nottingham Forest’s hero as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at the City Ground on Tuesday.
Forest secured their 17th win of a remarkable Premier League season with a snatch-and-grab display to beat Ruben Amorim’s side; Elanga breaking away to score the winner just five minutes into the contest.
Elanga’s 85-yard effort, coming after a clearing header by Ryan Yates from a United corner at the other end, made the difference against his former club, as Forest weathered the storm for the next 85 minutes.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side keep up the pace on Arsenal and Liverpool, and though Arsenal concurrently beat Fulham to maintain their position in second place, Forest now have an nine-point gap in the top four.
Anthony Elanga messages sent by Nottingham Forest team-mates
Elanga’s winner not only proved to be the difference in edging his former employers at the City Ground, the 22-year-old’s ever-dangerous presence on the break also saw him awarded as man of the match.
The Swedish winger has now achieved his best-ever Premier League goals tally with eight games still to play, and looks on course to feature in the Champions League next term for the first time since 2021-22.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
| Anthony Elanga | 34 | 25 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
Forest’s number 21 took to Instagram at full-time (1 April), including a photo with his man-of-the-match trophy in a post liked by fellow ex-United stars Rio Ferdinand and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Club and international team-mates also left their responses, with Sweden winger Ken Sema saying; “see yaaa” in reference to Elanga’s goal, which saw him burst clear of four United defenders.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Hudson-Odoi also left comments, the latter stating; “you’re a bad boy”, after the Swede consigned his former employers to a 13th league defeat of the campaign.
Nottingham Forest set to build world-class frontline
The form of Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, and currently-injured top scorer Chris Wood this season has propelled Forest into the Champions League places, and things only seem to be on the up at present.
Nuno’s side also have an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City to look forward to, and with a nine-point cushion in the Champions League places, Forest fans are anticipating a huge summer of activity.
Summer additions will be in the offing if and when Forest’s European place is confirmed, and Evangelos Marinakis won’t be afraid to splash the cash, with the likes of Ademola Lookman linked with moves.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Forest have the advantage when it comes to pursuing players like Matheus Cunha, but few Reds fans will want to see either Hudson-Odoi or Elanga displaced regardless of who comes in this summer.