Nuno Espirito Santo savours Nottingham Forest FA Cup triumph ahead of Manchester United clash - 'Beautiful moment'
Published 29/03/2025 at 22:40 GMT
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Nottingham Forest face Manchester United live on TNT Sports on Tuesday night, and they will return to Premier League action in good spirits after progressing to the FA Cup semi-finals with a penalty shoot-out victory over Brighton. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo said playing at Wembley will be "a beautiful moment" after a "stressful" afternoon at the Amex.
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Nuno Espirito Santo said Nottingham Forest's Wembley appearance in an FA Cup semi-final will be a "beautiful moment".
Forest beat Brighton on penalties in Saturday's quarter-final at the Amex, winning 4-3 on penalties after a tense goalless draw over 120 minutes.
And Nuno highlighted the significance of the achievement, while insisting the Premier League remains a priority - with Forest back in action against Manchester United on Tuesday night, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
"We have to focus on the Premier League but it's going to be a beautiful moment for all of us on our journey," Nuno told BBC Sport.
Ryan Yates scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out in front of the jubilant away supporters to send Forest into the competition's last four for the first time in 34 years.
"We are so, so happy. It was such a stressful moment and to share it with our fans, we are so happy," Nuno said.
"It's a huge moment for all of us especially for him [Yates]. He's been here since a young player."
Matz Sels was influential for Forest, making some impressive saves throughout the game and keeping out two of Brighton's penalties in the shoot-out.
"He's been doing really well," Nuno said of his goalkeeper. "It's the third time [in a shoot-out] and we've always been successful. Credit to him."
On his side's general performance, Nuno added: "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."
Sels, whose form has helped Forest continue their memorable campaign, was clearly delighted by the outcome.
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"I'm happy. We are going to Wembley," he said. "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 shoot-outs 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."
How to watch Nottingham Forest v Man Utd on TNT Sports
Forest will now turn their attention back to the Premier League, where they sit third and on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League with nine matches remaining.
The first of those games is against Manchester United at the City Ground on Tuesday, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ beginning from 19:00 UK time, and kick-off at 8pm.
Watch and stream the Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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