Nottingham Forest defender Steve Cook thanks Jon Moss and VAR in victory parade speech

Nottingham Forest defender Steve Cook has jokingly shared his ‘love’ for both Jon Moss and VAR after Sunday’s play-off final win over Huddersfield Town. Forest defeated the Terriers 1-0 at Wembley to book their place in next season’s Premier League after Levi Colwill’s own goal just before the break.

The game was not without its controversy, though, as Town were dubiously denied two penalties within the space of just 10 second half minutes. Firstly, Harry Toffolo went down under a challenge from Forest wing back Jack Colback, with the Town man actually receiving a yellow card for simulation.

However, replays showed that Colback had hung out a leg and caught Toffolo, but VAR opted against overturning it on the grounds of ‘clear and obvious’. Appeals were then waved away a few minutes later following a challenge from Max Lowe on Lewis O’Brien.

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O’Brien managed to get his foot to the ball ahead of the Forest defender, who then appeared to kick the back of the Town man’s foot, which caused him to go down. Again, Moss opted against pointing to the spot, with VAR also deciding to upheld his decision after a short check.

And Forest centre back Cook has not been afraid to express his happiness at the decisions going in their favour, with Steve Cooper’s men today parading the play-off trophy around the city of Nottingham. Speaking in front of thousands of fans, Cook said: “We’ll thank Jon Moss today… we love VAR, we love it!”