One winner, one loser as Nottingham Forest defeat Newcastle United

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Sky Bet Championship outfit Nottingham Forest produced the shock of the night in the EFL Cup, with the Reds knocking out Premier League Newcastle United 3-1 at the City Ground.

It is the second successive season that the East Midlands-based club have sent the Magpies packing and following a frantic last five minutes it was Aitor Karanka’s men who prevailed once again.

Daryl Murphy gave the home side the perfect start when he nodded home after just two minutes and that was the end of the scoring until stoppage time at the end of the second-half.

First, Salomón Rondón fired Rafa Benitez’s men level before joy turned into despair when Matty Cash went straight up the other end and blasted the Reds back into the lead, whilst Gil Dias wrapped up victory shortly after.

It is a result which offers Forest a massive boost especially after such a poor showing in Saturday’s home draw with Birmingham City.

After an entertaining night at the City Ground, The Boot Room looks at one winner and one loser from a Nottingham Forest perspective.

Winner – Liam Bridcutt

The ex-Sunderland midfielder hasn’t kicked a ball for the Reds this season and only made the matchday squad for the first time against Birmingham on Saturday.

On that basis you could forgive him for being a little bit rusty as he took his place in the starting line-up against Premier League opposition.

Bridcutt turned in a superb performance that will definitely leave boss Karanka with food for thought ahead of Forest’s trip to Brentford this weekend.

With Adlene Guedioura currently nursing an injury, it is vital that someone steps up to the mantle in the middle of the park, and on this showing Bridcutt has thrown himself right into contention for a regular spot.

Loser – Tobias Figueiredo

The Portuguese defender hasn’t looked at his best so far this season and unfortunately for him he was forced to watch on from the substitutes bench as Michael Hefele put in a Man of the Match performance.

Hefele arrived on transfer deadline day from Huddersfield Town and although he has taken some time to get up to full fitness, this performance showed that he will be a big player for Forest this season.

The promotion winning central defender isn’t blessed with an abundance of pace, but what he lacks in speed he more than makes up for with a superb knack of reading danger in a flash.