Nottingham Forest player ratings v Newcastle: 30-year-old is star of show
By Will Butcher
Football Insider rates the Nottingham Forest players after they secured a 2-1 win against nine-man Newcastle at the City Ground on Friday night.
Vladimir Stojkovic 5 – Looked awkward throughout the night as Newcastle threatened. Spilled a low cross in the first half, and became reluctant to claim centred balls as the match grew older.
Matty Cash 7 – Another promising product of the Forest youth academy. Starred as a right wing-back, coped with Yoann Gouffran well.
Damien Perquis 6 – Repelled danger well in the first half but allowed Ritchie to score easily in the middle of the Forest box. Second half; largely untroubled as the Toon struggled with nine men.
Michael Mancienne 6 – The pick of the defenders in the first half, enjoyed plenty of possession as Forest looked for a winner in the second half. Sacrificed at half time for Assombalonga.
Matt Mills 8 – The 30-year-old became the hero after applying pressure late on that forced former Forest star Jamaal Lascelles to score an own goal. Looked classy throughout at the back.
Eric Lichaj 7 – Combative display from the USA international, as he kept Matt Ritchie quiet. Could do little to stop him from scoring.
Thomas Lam 6 – Failed to get near Shelvey until the England international’s red card, enjoyed plenty of space and possession in the second half.
Pajtim Kasami – 6 Showed glimpses of class as he looked to set Osborn away, but attempted to force proceedings rather than keeping possession at times.
Henri Lansbury – 6 Got both Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett sent off, but missed a penalty as former star Karl Darlow produced two superb saves from 12 yards.
Ben Osborn – 7 A rare shining light going forward for Forest in the first half, as he made things happen and stretched the Toon defence.
Nicklas Bendtner – 7 A frustrated figure on his own up front for Philippe Montanier’s side in the first half, after his tame penalty was saved.
Subs:
Britt Assombalonga (On for Mancienne, 46 mins) 7
Mustapha Carayol (On for Lam, 65 mins) 7
Apostolos Vellios (On for Bendtner, 79 mins) 6
In other Nottingham Forest news, former Arsenal graudate was named in the Team of the Week after his hat-trick display.