5 talking points as Nottingham Forest seal Championship play-off final win

Nottingham Forest will play in the Premier League for the first time in 23 years next season, after beating Huddersfield 1-0 at Wembley in the Championship play-off final.

The Reds not only win back a spot at the top table for the first time since 1999 but also bank a mammoth £170million jackpot.

The contest was not a classic but Forest broke the deadlock at a crucial juncture, just before the interval when Levi Colwill diverted the ball into his own net under severe pressure from Ryan Yates.

It came as a result of James Garner's teasing centre which Colwill inadvertently turned past his own goalkeeper Lee Nicholls. Huddersfield rallied second half and thought they had strong claims for a penalty but it was dismissed by a VAR check.

In the end they could not force an equaliser and Forest held on to end their exile from the top flight.

Here, Mirror Football looks at five talking points from Wembley.

1. Premier League beckons for Cooper

This proved to be third time lucky for Reds' chief Steve Cooper. His two full seasons as Swansea City boss ended with a play-off semi-final defeat in 2020 before losing out in the final 12 months ago.

His trajectory continued in just the way he would have dreamed too, with Forest getting the job done in the EFL's blue riband showpiece in front of more than 80,000 fans.

His impact since arriving in September has been nothing short of sensational, taking the team from the relegation spots to the Premier League. The way they have done it, with a positive, vibrant brand of football has wowed neutrals and means they are sure to be an exciting addition to the top division next year.

2. Controversial VAR decision

Referee Jon Moss was overseeing his final game and it was not without controversy.

Huddersfield thought they had genuine claims for a penalty when Harry Toffolo appeared to be fouled in the box by Forest's Jack Colback. Moss immediately waved away appeals and booked the Town player for simulation.

VAR, being used for the first time in this final, was then consulted and despite slow-motion replays appearing to suggest Colback made the slightest of contacts, the decision was upheld.

Safe to say Huddersfield supporters were far from happy over the decision.

3. Fixture list excitement

For the first time since the summer of 1998, Forest supporters can begin to make plans for meetings with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Since relegation in that 1998-99 campaign, they have rarely looked like making it back there. Indeed, they even dropped as low as the third tier - an ignominy no former European Cup winners had ever experienced prior.

But the feelgood factor is firmly back on Trentside and under Cooper, the future looks extremely rosy.

4. Fans make themselves heard

The bars and outdoor areas surrounding the national stadium were flooded with both sets of supporters pre-match.

And inside the ground the two teams were given superb backing as this fixture was played to the backdrop of a full Wembley Stadium for the first time since 2019 - with the official attendance listed as 80,019.

But it was the Forest fans who really made themselves heard with a deafening rendition of Mull of Kintyre pre-match that saw the decibel levels rise significantly.

And they rose even more once the opening goal went in - and then again when the final whistle sounded to signal the end of their long, 23-year top flight drought.

5. Terriers' season not all in vain

Huddersfield Town fans will be bitterly disappointed to have fallen at the final hurdle - especially given their excellent play-off record down the years.

But once the disappointment of this defeat subsides, it will surely be replaced with immense pride. Let's not forget this is a team that finished 20th last season and didn't spend a single penny on transfer fees in the summer.

The job Carlos Corberan has done - they finished third in the regular league table - has been nothing short of outstanding. They can look forward to next term with realigned and heightened expectations.