Nottingham Forest may have lost their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City 2-0, despite creating enough chances to progress, but their supporters and the landmark occasion meant that, in a sense, they still won. George Edwards was at the match
Despite their gut-wrenching FA Cup semi-final defeat at Wembley Stadium to Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, in a sense, still won.
They lost the battle on the field, but Nottingham won. The FA Cup won. Football won.
A sea of red descended upon Wembley for the second time in three years, the supporters showing exactly what this moment and occasion meant to each and every one of them. They showed passion. They showed joy. And with every photo taken and every second taken in, it was a day treasured for life.
There was an overwhelming feeling of excitement. Where the play-off final was all about nerves and everything was on the line, this felt different. A refreshing marker of the manner of Forest’s progress and a day – regardless of the outcome – that would be a positive, and there was every chance the Reds would do a job over Pep Guardiola’s men once again.
When Forest’s anthem ‘Mull of Kintyre’ blared out at 16:19, “Don’t record it, just enjoy it,” was the cry from one supporter in my peripheral range, and for the many that did just that, it was something quite special. From then on, it felt like Forest’s day in the spotlight; scarves swung and choruses performed with impetus, backing their boys no matter what.
Manchester City had once been in Forest’s position, cast away from the spotlight and treasuring every mini milestone, but throughout the whole day it was evident which fanbase wanted it the most.
Even at full-time, when defeat was confirmed, most stayed, swung their scarves with the same venom and let each member of the team know the immense impact this cup run has had. It’s given everlasting memories and a distinct sense of pride. And it’s only the beginning; it didn’t feel like the culmination, the peak, but rather the start of a new era of Nottingham Forest success, with the best yet to come.
So often, however, the energy generated from the crowd floods onto the pitch and fosters positive performance – not this time.
The Reds were second best in almost every moment as Manchester City’s experience in major tournaments shone through, controlling for the most part and being clinical in their moments, something Forest were not.
It just wasn’t meant to be… fine margins… focus on the league… regardless, what a day to experience with 35,000 Forest fans #nffc pic.twitter.com/xvUXQ4ZTjF
— The Famous Club (@TheFamousCIub) April 28, 2025
Pre-match, Nuno had plenty of selection headaches, with Neco Williams and Ola Aina’s unavailability in the full-back positions resulting in an FA Cup debut for 18-year-old Zach Abbott. The young defender performed admirably, out of his natural position but displaying such confidence – a true credit to Forest’s youth academy and an appearance that almost certainly won’t just be a cameo.
However, the player missed most was suspended skipper Ryan Yates; Forest lost the midfield battle in a game cut out for their captain. They were constantly overloaded defensively and City found gaps around Nico Dominguez and Danilo with seeming ease. In possession they generated no control and had no real substance, missing everything that their skipper stands for.
Both goals elucidated how City outmuscled a disjointed Forest.
The first, their midfield bypassed so easily, allowing goalscorer Rico Lewis time on the edge of the box he just shouldn’t have been permitted. The second, a corner following Sels heroics saving Forest’s blushes temporarily, Josko Gvardiol wide open and unchallenged as he blasted home a header.
Yet, besides City’s two goals and their overall dominance in the match, Forest did okay, rocked by the concession of a goal so early but up and fighting, particularly in the second half.
While City scored inside two minutes, it should have been Forest back level seconds into the second period, Anthony Elanga spurning a golden chance just moments after his introduction. Forest attacks were sparse but pertinent when they came, striking the woodwork three times along the way leading to an inevitable feeling that it wasn’t to be their day.
And that reality not only deflated the fanbase but the players too – especially their captain.
Morgan Gibbs-White was incredibly humble and apologetic post-match, but on the pitch you could see his pain. Mirroring the entire squad, he is completely invested in this special season and this special club, emotions that can only spur himself and his teammates on to get over the line in their Premier League pursuit, where their cup one has finally derailed.
It won’t be an FA Cup final in May, but Forest now have five finals remaining to secure their dream.
It’s vital that this defeat, one that will bruise and scar more than most, doesn’t derail them or stop all the good things that have continued to occur this season. There must be a way to pick up, go again and be ready for the run-in.
And ready they will be. “When the sadness goes away, we will see that we have a lot to fight for,” Nuno defiantly declared post-match (via ITV), players and management alike aware that their fate is in their own hands.
And the supporters will be ready too, to cheer their troops home on Thursday evening, under the glorious City Ground lights. Forest now have one goal, and must give everything to achieve it.
It’s time to bring the same noise, passion and emotion from yesterday to Forest’s remaining five, because together as one, Nottingham Forest are a force so great that only the best can conquer.
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