Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion side have continued their historic Carabao Cup run with a stunning 3-2 win over Championship side Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
All five goals were scored in the second half at the Pirelli Stadium as Burton Albion got the better of Aitor Karanka’s men to progress to the Quarter-Finals of the Carabao Cup – the best run in the competition in the club’s history. An own goal from Forest defender Saidy Janko and goals from Scott Fraser and Jake Hesketh was enough to carry The Brewers over the line.
In the early stages, Forest kept possession like a side challenging for promotion to the Premier League and looked much the stronger in the first 20 minutes of the game. Hillel Soudani’s drilled cross was almost turned in by a Burton man, before former Spurs and Hull defender Michael Dawson headed over from the resulting corner.
Nigel Clough’s side began to settle into the game, picking up more possession and creating more chances. Forest ‘keeper Jason Steele made a strong saved from Liam Boyce to keep the scores level, before Steele made a stunning double save from Boyce and David Templeton with 15 minutes until the break.
Two minutes later, Liam Bridcutt brought down Jamie Allen in the box, giving The Brewers the chance to go 1-0 up. However, Boyce stepped up and fired the spot kick over the bar.
After the break, Albion came flying out the blocks, and were rewarded with the opening goal of the game. Jamie Allen pounced on a loose ball in the midfield, before playing through Scott Fraser, whose effort deflected off loanee Saidy Janko and over Steele to put Clough’s side ahead.
12 minutes later, Burton Albion doubled their advantage through the influential Fraser. After some good hold up play from Boyce, the onrushing Fraser slotted in at the near post to score his second goal of the season.
Forest striker Soudani picked up a knock, paving the way for Forest’s top scorer Lewis Grabban to come on – and he made an almost instant impact. The dangerous Gil Dias made his way through the Albion midfielder, before playing through Grabban, who slotted past the impressive Evitmov to make it 2-1.
With not long left, the tie became an end-to-end game, with Burton pushing for a crucial third goal and Forest fighting to level the scores. However, it was Clough’s men who got the crucial fourth goal of the game. Scott Fraser’s floated cross was smashed in by attacking midfielder Jake Hesketh with less than 10 minutes left.
Exciting youngster Arvin Appiah pulled one back at the start of the six minutes added on to make things nervous for the Burton faithful, but The Brewers held on to make their first Quarter-Final in the Carabao Cup ever. The League One side can dream of a big tie against some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea all still in the competition.
