Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo lauded his side’s togetherness after they hit back from 1-0 down to secure a vital 3-1 win at Sheffield United this afternoon.
Forest moved three points clear of the relegation zone with the win at Bramall Lane, a Callum Hudson-Odoi brace and a Ryan Yates goal turning the match around after Ben Brereton Diaz’s 17th-minute penalty had put the already-relegated Blades in front.
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Nuno told Sky Sports: “The reaction after we conceded was very good. To go in level, it shows the character of the team. It shows the togetherness that we have and the commitment and the desire. It was a good moment.
“It is important [for individuals to perform well] but what gives me the confidence that we can succeed is the togetherness of the squad. The way they work and help each other.
“Football is about the team. We want a team that is organised and compact and works for each other. Looking back at the season there are so many things to improve.
“It has been very hard for us to manage all the situations. The points deduction, the players that went away to the African Cup of Nations, the referees. The only way we can do things is on the pitch. That is the big advantage we have. It is in our hands to achieve the final objective.”
Just living in a world of @RyanYates97 🏊 pic.twitter.com/gUpHi3UXQI
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 4, 2024
The Portuguese reserved special praise for captain Yates, adding: “Very, very happy for him. He is a boy that gives everything that he has. The way he conducts himself in the matches and training. The way he gathers his team-mates in these moments.”
Yates was delighted to score his first Premier League goal.
“I scored here in the Championship in the same end,” he said. “I am just buzzing with the win. We know how massive every game is now and we just have to get over the line.
“We didn’t start the game well and they came out of the traps and caught us by surprise. I think we grew into the game and scored in a couple of good moments too.”
