Nottingham Forest striker repays Steve Cooper faith as 'clear game-plan' comes off

Your morning headlines from Nottingham Forest on Sunday, 1 May.

Steve Cooper’s game-plan paid off as Nottingham Forest thumped Swansea City 5-1 to keep up the pressure on second-placed Bournemouth.

But the Reds boss admitted he would like to have seen his side score more amid an electric atmosphere at the City Ground. They certainly had the chances to.

Sam Surridge netted a superb second-half hat-trick to see off the Swans after Michael Obafemi had cancelled out a Cyrus Christie own goal. And substitute Alex Mighten rounded off the win to cap an important three points for the hosts.

Automatic promotion remains a distinct possibility for Forest. They go into Tuesday night’s rearranged clash with the Cherries on the south coast just three points behind their opponents - and currently with a marginally better goal difference.

“It was a brilliant win. I’m very grateful to the players for how they stuck to the game-plan,” said Cooper.

“It was a bit of a different one. We were very happy for Swansea to have the ball as much as they did, because that’s what they do. But they also give up a lot of chances and concede a lot of goals. So there was a clear game-plan for us.

Sam Surridge is reaping the rewards of feeling at “home” at Nottingham Forest, according to boss Steve Cooper.

The front man scored a superb second-half treble as Swansea City were thumped 5-1 at the City Ground. That hat-trick took his tally to eight goals in 18 appearances for the Reds since his January move from Stoke City, and he received a standing ovation from the home fans when he came off with 15 minutes to go.

With Lewis Grabban and Keinan Davis sidelined, Surridge has been getting his chance in the starting XI. And Cooper has challenged the striker to