Anthony Elanga’s stunning solo goal saw Nottingham Forest maintain their Champions League charge with a win against the forward’s former club Manchester United.
Fresh from reaching their first FA Cup semi-final in 34 years, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side continued their remarkable campaign by completing a Premier League double against the Red Devils.
United academy graduate Elanga did the damage with an electrifying early run and a low strike that proved enough after Murillo cleared Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time effort off the line to seal third-placed Forest a 1 -0 victory.
The 22-year-old was the only change from the side that started Saturday’s penalty shoot-out win against Brighton and took only five minutes to justify his inclusion, racing from well inside his own half to punish lax defending with a precise finish.
Diogo Dalot saw a first-half header hit the crossbar but, like so many times this season, toothless United failed to capitalise on periods in the ascendancy, with substitute Maguire denied a leveller at the death by Murillo.
There was a great atmosphere before and after Tuesday’s match at the City Ground, where chants about their impending trip to Wembley were followed five minutes in by Elanga’s name echoing around the ground.
After Matz Sels unconvincingly dealt with Bruno Fernandes’ long-range effort, the resulting corner was eventually headed away for the rocket-heeled forward to burst forward from midway inside the Forest half.
Elanga confidently strode over the halfway line, shrugged off a challenge from Alejandro Garnacho and continued to hit a low left-footed drive past Andre Onana from just inside the 18-yard box.
Patrick Dorgu and the backtracking Noussair Mazraoui should have done better and Forest
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