Nottingham Forest ended an eight-month search for a Premiership home win with
this hard-fought victory over struggling Sheffield Wednesday.
Two goals in three minutes in the first half did the trick for Ron Atkinson's
side - and the relief was clear to see afterwards even though Forest are already
doomed to relegation.
The victory was ignited by Portuguese international Hugo Porfirio in the 14th
minute, and before Wednesday had been able to gather their composure, a
deflected shot by Alan Rogers produced a second.
It was no more than Forest deserved for their brightest start to a game this
season, and although Wednesday had their moments in the second half, Forest did
not have too many scares.
The major threat to their first win at home since beating Coventry last August
was a penalty by Benito Carbone that was brilliantly saved by Mark Crossley
early in the second half.
That inspired Forest to hang on to a win that emerged from their excellent
start.
Inside the first minute, Porfirio created an opening for young striker Marlon
Harewood, who ought to have done better than shoot into the side netting.
Then Des Walker, given a rousing reception after his marvellous career with
Forest, had to produce a superb saving tackle to deny Dougie Freedman.
Wednesday attacks were only too rare in the first half, but it might have been
a different story had a header from Emerson Thome not taken a deflection
following a cross from Wim Jonk.
But Forest's patient fans, who have suffered largely in silence for much of
the season, were given the boost of a 14th-minute goal.
Porfirio nicked the ball off the feet of Petter Rudi, skipped past a defender
and planted a low shot into the corner of Pavel Srnicek's goal.
Two minutes later, Wednesday were totally stunned when Forest added a second.
The visitors failed to deal with a corner from former Owl Chris Bart-Williams,
and when it dropped to Rogers, he whipped in a shot that took a deflection
beyond Srnicek.
Wednesday were not helped by substitutions that saw Rudi and Thome depart
before half-time, but they gathered themselves for a comeback in the second
half.
They had the perfect opportunity nine minutes after the break when Carlton
Palmer's lunge at Danny Sonner brought a penalty, but although Carbone struck
his effort well, Crossley flung himself full length to his left to make another
vital save from the spot.
After that, it was largely a case of whether Forest could survive as they
crept nearer an all-too-rare victory.
But Forest knew it was going to be their day two minutes from time when Andy
Booth got his head to a far-post cross from Dejan Stefanovic and his effort
flashed wide of the goal.
The defeat left Wednesday still seeking another point to make mathematically
certain of their Premiership status, but for Forest it was a little joy that
came far too late.
Teams:
Nottm Forest: Crossley, Louis-Jean, Gough, Chettle (Edwards 33),
Bonalair, Porfirio (Van Hooijdonk 65), Palmer, Bart-Williams,
Rogers, Freedman, Harewood (Darcheville 88).
Subs Not Used: Beasant, Lyttle.
Goals: Porfirio 14, Rogers 16.
Sheff Wed: Srnicek, Atherton, Walker, Thome (Cobian 32),
Stefanovic, Alexandersson (Cresswell 72), Jonk, Sonner,
Rudi (McKeever 32), Booth, Carbone.
Subs Not Used: Pressman, Haslam.
Att: 20,480
Ref: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).
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