This pulsating tie was contested in a vibrant atmosphere and closed with Nottingham Forest ending Huddersfield’s 18-game unbeaten run and claiming the prize of welcoming Liverpool here for a quarter-final.
After Forest defeating Arsenal (1-0) and Leicester (4-1) in previous rounds, Liverpool are in for a fight before what will be a raucous crowd.
For Steve Cooper, a former Liverpool youth team coach, and his side, the tie is just reward for emerging as worthy victors against an opponent who took the lead.
Forest Jam threatened Blackman’s goal first when a quick throw along their left led to a Sam Surridge shot. This was deflected and while James Garner’s corner yielded nothing the latter, on-loan from Manchester United, was to provide a class act.
A swiveling turn that ended with the midfielder unloading at Blackman, who gathered, was his next contribution as Cooper’s men were a blur of attacking intent, dabbing the ball about impressively.
Surridge, on full debut after signing in January, beat Blackman. It was ruled offside and though it appeared to be a legal strike, as there was no VAR in play, a second look was not possible.
Crystal Palace v Everton Sun 20, 12.30pm (ITV)
Southampton v Manchester City Sun 20, 3pm (BBC One)
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool Sun 20, 6pm (ITV)
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FA Cup quarter-finals: kick-off times and TV coverage
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Middlesbrough v Chelsea Sat 19 March, 5.15pm (BBC One)
Crystal Palace v Everton Sun 20, 12.30pm (ITV)
Southampton v Manchester City Sun 20, 3pm (BBC One)
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool Sun 20, 6pm (ITV)
So far, all Forest. But Huddersfield scored via a cute corner routine. Taken from the right, it featured a phalanx of players grouping beyond the far post who acted as a decoy; when Danel Sinani hit the ball in, Tom Lees could rove into space at the near post, unmarked, and head home. Cue delirium from the traveling support, the strike a body blow Forest had to respond to. They did – supremely well. First, along their right, Garner and Djed Spence punched in balls that those in navy blue scrambled to repel.
Corberán, formerly Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team coach at Leeds, has fashioned a high-pressing team and it had Forest penned in by their goal, having to move the ball around slickly to escape. They managed it and there was a smoothness in their excellent equalizer. The ball went upfield quickly, suddenly Ryan Yates was inside Huddersfield’s area and, when Naby Sarr tackled him, there was Surridge to rocket home for a goal that stood this time.
It had the City Ground rocking, the wall of noise invigorating both sets of players. Huddersfield should have again pushed ahead when Carel Eiting blazed at Ethan Horvath’s goal but hit a post and when Duane Holmes tried to scoop in the rebound Forest’s keeper leaped from the turf to save.
Breathlessly, the entertainment moved on via an installation that saw Forest take the lead: Surridge claimed a free-kick along the left, Garner lifted it into the area and Yates rose to head beyond Blackman.
It was an impressive comeback and when Graham Scott blew for half-time, the question was what might happen next. The referee could be glad of the breather: he had endured constant and hearty barracking, as when Brennan Johnson went down and Forest and their fans howled for a booking that was refused.
Hold on for the next 45 minutes and Forest would take on Liverpool. They had a scare when Sorba Thomas raced in down the right and smacked the ball against the side-netting.
The teams continued to hurtle at each other – a Forest move winning a free-kick that had Garner again standing over the dead ball from the left but, after dropping it into the Huddersfield area, no finish followed.
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Moments later Spence seemed about to test Blackman but Harry Toffolo, on as a replacement, made the vital challenge. Cooper, in the technical area, was a fidgeting image of nerves while Corberán was cooler, trusting his second-placed Championship team to create something
A Sinani free-kick was one chance but Horvath was able to beat it away and Forest escaped. Danny Ward hit another dead ball around the wall but Horvath, diving right, again saved. Ward, also on as a substitute, next had Horvath flinging himself the other way for another fine stop.
At the other end, heart rates quickened when Spence had a golden chance to kill Huddersfield off but, from close range, his attempt flew skywards. It was not costly as Forest ended in pell-mell mode, launching raids that stifled any threat of a late equalizer and extra-time.
www.theguardian.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism