Nottingham Forest reached the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Brighton on penalties after Wayne Rooney was critical of Nuno Espirito Santo’s decision to rest Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi
Wayne Rooney has backtracked after criticising Nuno Espirito Santo for resting a number of key players ahead of Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Brighton. Wingers Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi were both benched, while Taiwo Awoniyi replaced the injured Chris Wood up front.
“I am shocked,” the Manchester United legend told BBC Sport after the teams were announced. “The FA Cup is such a prestige tournament and to rest players in a quarter-final…
“They’re trying to get Champions League football, but as a player you want to play and try get momentum. If I was a fan I would be fuming. You want to win silverware and this is a great opportunity.”
However, Forest went on to book their place in the semi-finals after beating Brighton 4-3 on penalties, with the game ending 0-0 after extra-time. And Rooney backtracked on his initial comments as a result.
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“You’ve got to give Nuno some credit,” he admitted. “We said before the game we thought he made a mistake resting some players, but when they go through you have got to give them credit.”
Forest are enjoying an outstanding campaign, with the club currently sat third in the Premier League and hoping to win the FA Cup for the first time since 1959. “We are so so happy,” Espirito Santo told BBC Sport after the game.
“Perfection doesn’t exist but we did really well to control Brighton in terms of their possession. We did well. In the second half, we had chances. Both teams had a chance. We have to focus on the Premier League but it’s going to be a beautiful moment for all of us on our journey.”
Goalkeeper Matz Sels, who saved efforts from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez in the shootout, said: “I’m happy. We are going to Wembley. It is amazing for the supporters so I am happy that I could help the team.
“I am really happy to play at Wembley. In penalty shootouts you always need a little bit of luck but I’m really happy. We need to continue now this good performance for Tuesday in the Premier League.
“We kept a clean-sheet, we didn’t give away a lot of chances. You need a bit of luck in penalties but now we’re focusing on Tuesday which is a big game.”
Captain Ryan Yates, who scored the winning penalty, added: “I was a bit nervous to be fair, just so relieved it went in. Matz [Sels] saved two penalties and I just knew I had to capitalise and send us to Wembley.
“It has been an incredible season. We have achieved nothing yet but to send these lot to Wembley again – we know how special it was last time, getting promoted. It will be a special day and I am so pleased for the supporters and overall I think we deserved it.”
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