After a crazy injury stoppage time, in the post-match press conference, both sides were still focused on the two goals in the injury stoppage time.
Twain was delighted to be able to equalize the score at the last minute. For this reason, he did not mention at all that he had hoped to win the game before the game.
"What else do I have to be dissatisfied with the team's performance? This result fully demonstrates Nottingham Forest's style. I'm very happy. "
The game's draw and the goal at the last minute were of great significance to Forest. It further boosted the team's morale and confidence. It laid the foundation for the upcoming game against Liverpool and the Christmas devil schedule.
Ferguson, on the other hand, looked a little annoyed, but he still accepted the result. "So what if I can't accept it? This is football. I really didn't expect them to be able to equalize the score at the last minute … "
When Ibišević shot the football into the goal guarded by Foster, it would be an exaggeration to say that Ferguson's expression was ashen, but it would not be wrong to say that it was "ugly."
This expression continued until he shook hands with Twain. He was not in the mood to exchange pleasantries with Twain. He only shook hands with Twain and left.
They reversed the score at the last minute and were equalized at the last minute. This kind of big ups and downs really made people worry whether his heart could withstand it. The only thing to be thankful for was that this game was only a league game, not a Champions League or FA Cup knockout round.
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Ibišević, who scored the last minute equalizer for Nottingham Forest, played for a very short time, but he was named the man of the game and received a bottle of champagne as a reward. He was happy that he was able to score the last goal, but he did not take the credit for himself. Instead, he very modestly expressed that it was the team's credit. If it had not been for the long pass from Captain Wood, he would not have had the chance to score.
In addition, he also mentioned another contributor who was able to equalize the score. "When I had not yet adapted to the Premier League, the boss talked to me alone. He told me that Nottingham Forest's football is a football that refuses to admit defeat. No matter what the situation is, we can't give up. I'm very happy that I did this. "
The Manchester United players who were interviewed were a little uncomfortable. "I really didn't expect them to still be able to go forward and tackle at that time … We were a little flustered …" Rio Ferdinand explained for his central defensive partner about the goal concede.
On the other hand, Vidic, who caused the goal concede, walked quickly into the locker room with his head lowered. He did not accept any interviews from the reporters. He believed that Ferguson would not let him off after he returned to the locker room. He would definitely not be able to escape a good scolding.
※ ※ ※
Tang En had a smile on his face throughout the entire process of the press conference. He did not hide his delight at the result. Ferguson, on the other hand, had a gloomy expression on his face. Everyone knew that he was in a bad mood.
After the press conference ended, Tang En, who returned to the locker room, discovered that the players were still excitedly discussing the two goals scored during the injury stoppage time. Apparently, they were also excited about it.
Twain clapped his hands to signal for the players to quiet down. He had something to say.
"Isn't it exciting to equalize the score at the last minute?"
The group of people laughed. It was indeed very exciting.
"I'm proud of your performance in the last three minutes. This is what I want to see from Nottingham Forest. But … "He changed the topic and his expression turned cold." I still want you to know that if we could have scored a goal earlier and taken control of the situation earlier, none of us would have had to experience this kind of excitement. "
Tang En touched his heart. "I have a problem here. I don't want to experience such ups and downs a few more times. This game is a lesson for all of you — never entrust your fate to something that cannot be seen or touched. We were able to equalize the score at the same time, but we also have to see that it was because Vidic made a very low-level mistake at the last minute. You can't always expect your opponents to make such mistakes. You still have to grasp your own fate in your own hands to feel at ease. "He clenched his fists as if he was really grasping his own fate.
After saying that, a smile reappeared on his face. "But that last goal was really great! Everyone did a good job! Now, you guys should have a good celebration! "
First give a slap, then give a candy. It would not let the players get too carried away, nor would it let them feel that the manager was too strict and unreasonable.
Now that the team's morale was high, Tang En was not worried at all about the home game against Liverpool.
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After the game, when Ferguson invited Tang En for a drink, his mood seemed to return to normal. At least on the surface, there were no traces of anger. He looked a little helpless.
The media all praised Ibišević in unison after the game for bringing an important point to the Forest team. But Ferguson had a different opinion.
"They said that Wood's kick was just a forward kick to relieve the siege. I don't see it that way. He thinks it was a premeditated long pass. "
Tang En chuckled. He did not say yes or no. In any case, Wood always had that kind of stroke of genius. With his ability, he would never be able to kick the ball.
"Are you really not thinking about coming to Manchester United to manage?" After this game, Ferguson was even more convinced that Tang En was the most suitable manager for Manchester United.
"No, Sir." Tang En played with the wine in his glass and shook his head.
Ever since he had a heart attack, he had basically quit drinking from the cup. However, out of courtesy, he still had to have a drink with his opponents after the game. It was just one glass, so Shania and the doctors did not stop him. Therefore, Shania and the doctors did not stop him. He knew that he would be fine after drinking a glass of wine.
When he first quit drinking, it was terrible. Now, he did not feel anything even if he did not drink.
"What a pity …" Ferguson murmured.
Tang En once again rejected Ferguson's invitation. Ferguson knew that with Tang En's personality, he would never accept an invitation again. So when he retired, could the Premier League's hegemon continue its glory? Although he knew that there were peaks and valleys, it was the law of nature. But for it to happen to his own team, he could not accept it emotionally.
He hoped that someone could continue his glory at Manchester United. Unfortunately, the most talented person had rejected him twice.
Tang En saw through the old man's thoughts. He advised, "I think you're very healthy. Why don't you continue?"
"You look like you don't want me to retire. I think it's a very strange thing. Aren't we opponents, Tony? "Ferguson looked at Tang En.
Tang En smiled. "Even if you leave, I won't necessarily win many more championships. Because even if you're here, I can still win many championships. Haha! But without you, it feels like something's missing. "
Ferguson downed the glass of wine in one gulp. "Don't worry. There's still Wenger. You won't be lonely. "
"Professor, I won't fight a war of words with him." Tang En shrugged. "It's more interesting to bicker with people like you."
Ferguson suddenly understood what Tang En meant by "something's missing."
Mourinho's departure had left him with one less target to spit on. By the time he retired, almost none of the people left would be able to compete with Tang En in terms of words. It was no wonder he felt lonely.
"If you feel uncomfortable when no one scolds you, even if I retire, I can still scold you in the newspapers every week, Tony."
Tang En laughed heartily when he heard that. What an interesting old man!
He also tilted his neck and downed the wine in his glass. "If your successor is mediocre, do you mind if I help you teach him a lesson?"
"As long as you can."
※ ※ ※
Back in Nottingham, the Forest team quickly welcomed Liverpool.
Due to the away game with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest's points were surpassed by Liverpool and returned to fourth place in the league.
Liverpool returned to third place after winning 3: 2 at home against Everton. However, they also paid a heavy price for this derby victory in Liverpool City.
The center-back, Agger, was sent off on the spot for elbowing the Everton striker, James Vaughan, and then suspended for an additional three games.
The Dutchman, Ryan Babel, left the game with an injury and would miss three weeks of games.
Jermaine Pennant was also injured. Although it was not too serious, he would definitely not be able to play against the Forest team.
In addition to Xabi Alonso and Kuyt, who had been injured before. There were not many people that Benítez could use.
In view of this, Benítez kept a low profile in the away game and put on a defensive posture, intending to win by getting a point. The team lost too many offensive players, but they basically retained their original strength in defense. Although Agger received a red card, he would not be suspended until the next game, so he could still play against Nottingham Forest.
Therefore, in the midfield, Benítez also arranged a very solid defensive formation. Lucas and Mascherano played as two defensive midfielders, and Gerrard was in the middle and forward, forming a triangle.
Gerrard was the main attacker, and Mascherano and Lucas were the main defenders.
It could be seen that Benítez was wary of the Forest team's attack.
This result really made Tang En have the urge to cry — after so many years, there was finally an opponent who would make defensive adjustments because of the fear of the Forest team's attack …
Although Benítez made such an adjustment, his team still did not gain an advantage at the City Ground stadium.
Benítez's thick formation only lasted for 27 minutes before it collapsed.
After a mistake in Lucas and Mascherano's combination was seized by Žigić to intercept the ball, he used his body to protect the football in the heavy encirclement of the two men until Cohen ran up to receive. He pretended to pass the ball to Cohen, but took advantage of the moment when the encirclement loosened to pass the football to Şahin in the opposite direction.
After Şahin received the ball, he passed it to Lennon, who plugged in from the left. He did not directly pass the football to Lennon's feet, but very imaginatively passed the ball in front of him, just in time to make full use of Lennon's speed advantage.
Lennon picked up his speed and poked the football away in front of Liverpool's right back, Alvaro Arbeloa, and directly broke through Liverpool's defense!
Next, he did not go down, but directly plugged into the penalty area. Against Agger's defense, he very covertly poked the ball, and the football penetrated Reina's ten fingers!
Nottingham Forest led 1: 0!
In this game, Tang En did not send Eastwood and van Nistelrooy, who were weaker in confrontation. Instead, he used Ibišević and Žigić, the two strong and tall strikers. It was to fight against Liverpool's strong defensive players in the midfield and backfield.
He succeeded.
This goal concede put Liverpool in a very difficult position. They certainly could not continue to defend, and could only come out to attack. This must be to Tang En's liking.
The commentator and Benítez both thought that Tony Twain would let his team play defensive counterattack. But they all forgot that Tony Twain was a manager who liked to go against others.
This time, Nottingham Forest fought against Liverpool, who had staked everything on one throw, on their own home ground.
The game was quite exciting and intense. Both sides got a lot of chances, and the goalkeepers of both teams became the busiest and most outstanding players for a period of time.
Before the end of the first half, Ibišević grabbed hold of Reina's missed pounce and rebounded the football into the net. This was his eleventh league goal of the season, and his fourteenth overall goal. Nottingham Forest went into the halftime interval with a 2: 0 lead.
During the halftime interval, the team showed extraordinary optimism, which forced Tang En to play the role of the villain again with a dark face, reminding them not to take it lightly.
"Who do you think your opponent is? It's not any Tom, Dick or Harry, it's Liverpool! They have a captain, Gerrard, who refuses to admit defeat just like us! If anyone lets down their guard and is too optimistic, even if we have a three-goal lead, we may still be overturned in the second half! "
He was not wrong. Ten minutes into the second half, Liverpool relied on a free kick, and their captain, Gerrard, scored a goal with a powerful long shot.
This goal greatly boosted Liverpool's morale, because it was indeed a beautiful goal. The power was great and the angle was tricky. Akinfeev was dumbfounded and at a loss for what to do.
If Liverpool were allowed to play like this, it was only a matter of time before the score was equalized. Tang En had to make adjustments and replace Şahin with Tiago to strengthen the middle.
After Tiago went up, he used his aggressive running to allow the Forest team's midfield to compete with Liverpool's midfield. He also slowly recovered from the disadvantage and wore down the fighting spirit of the Liverpool players. After another ten minutes passed, and Liverpool did not score, their offensive momentum finally weakened.
How could Nottingham Forest let go of such an opportunity?
They counterattacked in one fell swoop.
After Cohen and Baines played a two-on-one combination on the left flank, they directly raised their legs to pass. Žigić once again displayed his ability to dominate the air, pressuring Agger and Martin Skrtel, and headed the ball into the net. The score expanded to 3: 1.
Just two minutes later, Ibišević made a comeback and used a tricky long shot from outside the penalty area to penetrate Reina's ten fingers. 4: 1!
The game had basically lost its suspense.
But Gerrard was still looking for an opportunity to score. Until the 86th minute, he finally scored a second goal for the team. However, with the score of 2: 4 only four minutes before the end of the game, nothing could be changed.
Nottingham Forest was not Manchester United, and they would not let Liverpool be like them in the previous round of the league tournament.
At the last moment, Nottingham Forest retreated and withstood Liverpool's fierce attack. They held on to the score of 4: 2 until the end of the game. They successfully got three points!
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