Nottingham Forest v West Brom player ratings - Colback nets a stunner as Reds return to winning ways

Nottingham Forest returned to winning ways as they thumped West Bromwich Albion 4-0 at the City Ground.

Goals from Brennan Johnson, Ryan Yates, Jack Colback and Sam Surridge clinched the three points for Steve Cooper’s side against the 10-man Baggies. In front of a sold-out crowd, it was a comfortable performance from the Reds.

Looking for a response to Friday’s defeat at Luton Town, the hosts were 3-0 up at the break. The Baggies, meanwhile, were down to 10 men with less than 20 minutes played.

Johnson set Forest on their way with a nerveless penalty. Darnell Furlong was already on a yellow card when he blocked a James Garner strike with his hand and received his marching orders.

And although Albion tried to get into Johnson’s head when he stepped up, the youngster was cool as you like from the spot. He blasted the ball beyond Davis Button to give his side the lead in the 19th minute.

Just four minutes later, the Reds doubled their advantage. After a Philip Zinckernagel strike was deflected behind, Garner whipped in the corner and Yates thumped in a header for 2-0.

The best was still to come, however. Colback may not have meant it when he lashed in a left-footed screamer from an impossible angle on the left flank, but it was a goal of the season contender nonetheless.

Yates went close to grabbing his second of the evening after the break, when he fired just over the bar from outside the area. And Zinckernagel tried his luck from similar distance soon after.

The second half didn’t quite have the same intensity to it, with Forest largely comfortable. But there was still time for Surridge to add a fourth right at the death. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.

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