Steve Cooper tipped for 'outstanding' accolade as Blackpool boss makes bizarre claim

Nottingham Forest returned to Championship action in style as they cruised to a superb 4-1 victory at Blackpool.

The visitors were 3-0 up at the break thanks to a terrific first half performance. Philip Zinckernagel opened the scoring, before a brilliant quick-fire brace from Brennan Johnson put Forest in command.

Zinckernagel had a penalty appeal waved away early on. But he got on the scoresheet with 11 minutes gone when a deflected effort looped over the goalkeeper.

The Seasiders had some bright moments, but Johnson was ruthless in front of goal. His first was a well-struck first-time effort arrowed into the far corner. And then his second was dinked over Dan Grimshaw after good work to win the ball in the first place.

Forest created some more openings in the second half. But it was left to Sam Surridge to put the gloss on the scoreline as he came off the bench to make it 4-0.

The only disappointment was that the visitors didn’t keep a clean-sheet. Callum Connolly pulled one back at the death for the hosts.

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has been predicted to win the Championship's manager of the year award if the Reds finish in the top six this season.

It has been an almighty turnaround for the Reds, given they were rock-bottom when Chris Hughton departed the City Ground with Steve Cooper swiftly coming in as his replacement. But Forest's brilliant rise up the Championship has left many wondering quite how far they can go, and former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is confident he could receive even greater recognition if the Reds can finish the season in the top-six.

"Massive credit is due to Steve Cooper," the former Tangerines boss said on Sky Sports.

"Fulham are running away with things, but if you look at