JUST when Ange Postecoglou thought his prayers had been answered by a man called Jesus, he had them crushed by sensational Swansea.
Under biblical black skies and driving rain in South Wales, Forest boss Postecoglou seemed to have earned his first win thanks to Brazilian saviour Igor Jesus.
ReutersAnge Postecoglou’s side blew a 2-1 lead as his start to life as Nottingham Forest manager took another downwards turn[/caption]
PASwansea pulled off a spectacular late comeback to advance to the next round of the Carabao Cup[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialForest conceded twice in added time to crash out of the tournament[/caption]
The £10million signing from Botafogo – Forest’s first of the summer transfer window – claimed his first goals for his new club.
He even celebrated with a strange frog-like celebration that suggested Forest were in party mood.
But leading 2-1 in the third minute of added time, Postecoglou was denied in dramatic style as the super Swansea turned this tie on its head.
Firstly, substitute Zan Vipotnik flashed a shot past a startled Forest keeper John Victor.
Then, in the 97th minute, Cameron Burgess smashed home a brilliant rebound after Ethan Galbraith had crashed a shot against the bar.
It leaves Ange-ball looking more like Ange bawl as he is without a win after two matches as Forest boss and already out of one cup competition.
Jesus had earlier delivered after 15 minutes when he fired home a rebound inside the near post and then added a tap-in just before the break.
Swansea managed to pull a goal back with 20 minutes to go when former Ipswich centre-back Burgess headed home from a corner.
Shutterstock EditorialSummer signing Igor Jesus scored twice to put Forest 2-0 up[/caption]
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It looked as though Forest had enough grit to dig in and claim their first win in four matches, since their opening day Premier League victory over Brentford.
But it was not to be and former Tottenham manager Postecoglou is already out of a tournament he claimed he thought he could win.
Everyone knows Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is the Almighty authority at the City Ground, though, and it’s wise not to provoke his wrath.
Any manager thinking they have guardian angels on their side in the form of adoring fans and a European fixture list, should consult sacked former boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
That’s why Postecoglou will be gutted his first victory at the second attempt slipped through his fingers following his 3-0 defeat at Arsenal last weekend.
He stood with his hands in his pockets, trying to appear relaxed for most of the game.
That was easy enough to start with because although Swansea were unbeaten at home, they had made wholesale changes and appeared blunted.
The Aussie looked more tense later, though, folding his arms and gritting his teeth after Swansea’s dramatic equaliser.
Postecoglou mixed things up with just one survivor – defender Morato – from the side that flopped against the Gunners.
Shutterstock EditorialCameron Burgess sparked the comeback with a second half header[/caption]
Swansea had their moments, but lacked the precision and alertness in front of goal that Forest showed through Jesus, Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee.
When Postecoglou needed to reach for extra quality to soothe any nerves in the second half, he brought on Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The home side gave a first start to their £6m summer signing Adam Idah, but the former Celtic striker got no change out of Willy Boly and Morato in the Forest defence.
Things might have taken a more awkward early course for Postecoglou if Swansea had made more of their early momentum.
But winger Jisung Eom did not make the most of an early opportunity and soon Forest produced a sweet move down the left that ended with Jesus drilling the ball home.
His second arrived just before the interval after another attack opened up Swansea’s defence.
Nicolo Savona and McAtee combined to leave the Brazil international with a gift from two yards out.
It might have been 3-0 in the second-half but an offside flag ruled out an effort from Forest substitute Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Burgess then nodded in from Eom’s corner to set up the super Swans for their incredible finish.
Zan Vipotnik equalised for Swansea in the 93rd minuteShutterstock Editorial
Shutterstock EditorialBurgess struck again deep into added time to win the game for the Swans[/caption]
XPostecoglou was left stunned by the dramatic comeback[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
