Elliot Anderson’s performances and goals for Nottingham Forest, particularly against his former club Newcastle, have made him the most sought-after midfielder in England. Both Manchester giants, City and United, have him on their radar, and Thomas Tuchel has made him a regular starter ahead of the World Cup. While the Magpies endure a forgettable season languishing in 13th place with 46 points, the final blow came from their own academy graduate, who is set to ignite the upcoming summer transfer window in the Premier League.
Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest celebrates the win over Newcastle.
Andrew Boyers
Nottingham Forest have no intention of losing the player who has virtually secured their top-flight survival. Sitting seven points above the relegation zone, with West Ham yet to face Arsenal, the Tricky Trees have slapped a £150 million price tag on Anderson. A fee that, with every match he plays, looks increasingly likely to be met by a ‘Big Six’ club, triggering an exodus that may also shake St. James’ Park.
**Bakwa’s Moment**
Despite early dominance from Bruno Guimarães and Newcastle, most of the danger came from the home side through Dilane Bakwa on the right flank. Vítor Pereira’s rotations have given the former Strasbourg man, signed for £35 million in the summer, a prominence he had not enjoyed before this season. His boots created the best approaches and chances for Nottingham Forest in the first 45 minutes.
**Agonizing Law of the Ex**
The best thing that happened to the Tricky Trees was that goalkeeper Matz Sels’ minor complaints quickly passed. That, and the fact that Elliot Anderson—still, but not for long, a Forest player—remained on the pitch. Sels held the line as best he could during a Newcastle onslaught that eventually earned its reward, and the Englishman, whose sale is set to break all club records, enacted the law of the ex at The City Ground.
A brilliant double save from Sels and a free kick from Osula that rattled the crossbar suggested danger had passed, but Harvey Barnes made it 0-1 in the 74th minute. Eddie Howe’s substitutions paid off as two introduced players, Ramsey and Barnes, combined with a fine through-ball and clinical finish to give the visitors the lead.
Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest shoots to score against Newcastle.
Andrew Boyers
Then in the 88th minute, Elliot Anderson proved to his old club that, even if the sale was made to balance the books and comply with Financial Fair Play, they were wrong to let him go for just over £40 million. The final 1-1 for Nottingham Forest came after a one-two between James McAtee and Anderson inside the area. The England international let the ball run and, with his left foot, fired past Nick Pope. His celebration was to ask his teammates to stretch his calves. The aptly nicknamed ‘Geordie Maradona’ was cramping but ecstatic. His goal could well be worth a Premier League survival.