Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest: Forest promoted to Premier League after Levi Colwill own goal
Huddersfield Town 0-1 Nottingham Forest: Steve Cooper’s side are Premier League bound after 23-year absence thanks to Levi Colwill’s own goal… but Terriers are left to rue VAR calls after narrow defeat at Wembley
Nottingham Forest have been promoted to the Premier League after a 23-year absence from the top flight Forest beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 following an own goal from Levi Colwill just before half time at Wembley Huddersfield’s Harry Toffolo was booked for diving despite appearing to be caught in the penalty area
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Far have they travelled and much have they seen as they like to sing at Nottingham Forest and, for 23 years, it has not featured the Premier League.
But the long wait is over and Forest are heading back to top tier after beating Huddersfield at Wembley Stadium, courtesy of an own goal by teenage defender Levi Colwill and a generous oversight by the officials.
They were second best of long periods of the play-off final, but they have served their time in the doldrums and it is impossible to begrudge them this success, which comes with the Premier League bounty of £180million.
Nottingham Forest secured promotion to the Premier League after they beat Huddersfield Town in the play-off final
Joe Worrall lifts the play-off trophy aloft after Forest got the better of Huddersfield following an intense encounter
Forest’s promotion to the Premier League is confirmed after their 1-0 victory in the Championship play-off final
Little wonder they celebrated wildly as Huddersfield players crashed to the turf at the final whistle.
Having started season with one point from seven games, it is an incredible ascent by Steve Cooper’s team.
Perhaps they earned their luck, the goal just before half-time and the decision by veteran referee Jon Moss not to penalise Jack Colback for a foul, late in the second half.
Forest were at the new Wembley for the first time, making their first appearance for 30 years since a League Cup final defeat against Manchester United. They dominated the early possession without piercing the well-manned Huddersfield defence.
Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson celebrates after his side’s promotion to the Premier League was confirmed
The Forest players celebrate after they took the lead following an own goal from Huddersfield’s Levi Colwill
Sorba Thomas of Huddersfield is left dejected after his team’s hopes of earning promotion were ended at Wembley
Huddersfield defender Levi Colwill scored an own goal just before half time, which proved to be decisive in the play-off final
Ryan Yates glanced a header narrowly wide from a free-kick swung in by James Garner and Yates fired over a decent chance from the edge of the penalty box after a neat touch to release him from Philip Zinckernagel.
These teams finished the season in third and fourth in the Championship only two points apart over 46 games. Forest recovered from a dreadful start to the campaign, gathering momentum across the second half of the season, and Huddersfield arrived at Wembley unbeaten in nine games.
Carlos Coberan’s team grew in confidence and created a couple of chances of their own as they settled into a better rhythm. Sorba Thomas skipped clear of Joe Worrall on the left and from an angle forced a save from Brice Samba.
This was quickly followed by a smartly worked corner routine, with a flurry of movement and a low cross by Thomas into the feet of Danny Ward only for the striker to see his effort blocked in a congested six-yard box.
Huddersfield slipped behind just before the interval, however, when they nodded off and allowed Garner the time and space to shape another dangerous ball into the penalty area.
Harry Toffolo of Huddersfield was booked for diving when he felt that he should have been awarded a penalty
Jonathan Hogg is left devastated after Huddersfield missed out on promotion to the Premier League with defeat to Forest
Forest manager Steve Cooper managed to guide his side to victory as they secured their place in the top flight
Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba, who had to go off injured near the end of the game, celebrates after promotion was secured
On target with runners across the line of the ball, a little indecision rippled through the defensive ranks. Yates looked likely to reach it but made no contact and Colwill, having tracked his run, was helpless as the ball struck him and flew into his own net off his right knee from six yards out.
Huddersfield returned in purposeful fashion for the second half, forcing Forest to defend their lead.
Jonathan Hogg flashed a header wide at the near post from another Thomas corner, and wing-back Toffolo was furious when referee Jon Moss ruled he had dived in an attempt to win a penalty, in the 73rd minute.
The video replays showed it was a clear trip by Jack Colback, but referee Moss, making his final appearance before retirement, booked Toffolo and awarded a free-kick to Forest for simulation. He was not referred the pitch-side monitors by his video assistant Paul Tierney.
Colback’s relief was obvious as he crossed himself. High up in the executive seats, Forest’s Greek owner Evangelos Marinakis did the same.
There was more frustration for Corberan when another penalty claim for a foul by substitute Max Lowe on Lewis O’Brien was overlooked by Moss in the closing stages.
Forest were hanging on, defending deep and protecting their penalty area and running down the clock where they could with calls for treatment, including goalkeeper Samba, who limped off in the 89th minute
When O’Brien’s shot flashed across goal and wide in stoppage time, Forest were home.
Recap as Sportsmail’s provided live coverage of the Championship Play-Off final between Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium.
