It was ironic that the first card of the game went to a City player. The foul count was City conceded 8 fouls, Forest 25. That says it all. Enough of him though. The two magic moments came from Parry and Bothroyd.
The opening goal on 18 mins was taken superbly by Parry, the ball broke kindly for him to run onto and his left footed drive rifled into the net giving the keeper no chance. The ball not going more than a foot off the ground.
City had more chances, Bothroyd with a volley just wide and City had fair claim for a penalty. Ledley clean through on goal was about to pull the trigger but he was taken down from behind, it looked odds of for a spot kick and a red card. But Nottingham Forest's 12th man, Mr Hegley (damn said I wouldn't mention him again) was having none of it. He awarded a goal kick. At the time a jaw dropping decision.
Forest continued to push and shove and in the second half found a bit more possession, Tyson going close with their best effort, his shot from the left a foot over the bar. Gabor Gyepes went off holding his hamstring and on came Darren Purse. Purse had three significant moments. An effort on goal at the right end, a near disaster at the wrong end (altough Enckelman was involved in that one) and a last ditch life on the line block in injury time.
The incident I mention with the keeper saw a long ball from Forest, Purse and their attacker (I think it was Tyson again) were running at pace towards the City goal, Tyson managed to get a touch that saw the ball clear Eckelman and roll into the net. Fortunately the ref gave this decision to us and penalised Tyson for fouling Purse, but what an earth was Enckelman doing stranded near the edge of his box. If he was in his 6 yard box he would have comfortably gathered up the loose ball.
City wrapped up the points with a fine individual effort from Bothroyd 3 mins from time. He scored his 8th of the season and his second in two games when he cut in from the right and curled the ball in off the far post. He earned himself a yellow card as he took off his shirt and windmilled it along the front of the Grange End.
The result became even better when the other results were confirmed. Draws for Reading, Birmingham, Sheff Utd, Preston and Swansea meaning we gained points on all of them. Leaders Wolves won but the gap to 2nd place is now just 7 points and we have a game inhand.
Another clean sheet. 580 minutes since we conceded a goal at home. Another game as captain for Joe without defeat. 13 in total now. What chance of making it 14 at The Emirates on Tuesday?