N Forest 1 – 1 Wolves

Dean Henderson was the hero as Nottingham Forest advanced to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Wolves.

The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper first kept out Ruben Neves’ penalty, before producing another strong save to keep out Joe Hodge’s spot-kick and send Steve Cooper’s Reds through to the last four.

Raul Jimenez had come to the visitors’ rescue with a simple tap-in in normal time (64) after ex-Wolves defender Willy Boly – who spent five seasons at Molineux – bundled in a corner from close-range (18), but they could not find the equaliser they often threatened.

The victory sees Forest reach the semi-finals for the first time since they finished as runners-up to Manchester United in 1991/92.

How Steve Cooper’s Reds booked their semi-final spot

The reality of reaching the semi-finals of this competition was so alien to both teams that neither appeared to want to go great guns from the off. Wolves last progressed from the quarters when they won it in 1979/80 and it was the same for Forest, who reached the final in 1992.

The visitors were allowed to dominate the ball for long periods, with Forest safe in the knowledge that, for the most part, their opponents were unable to use their dominance to threaten.

But that meant Forest were liable to execute fast, incisive counter-attacks – and when one produced a corner, they deservedly took the lead. Serge Aurier flicked an in-swinging delivery on at the near post, Jonny inadvertently helped it onto the bar and Boly was on hand to apply the finishing touch. Unexpectedly, no celebration followed.

Wolves did grow into the game, though, and may well have been level going into the break had it not been for Henderson, who first batted away Jimenez’s curling shot, before a strong one-handed save denied Hee-Chan Hwang.

Julen Lopetegui’s side picked up where they left off after the restart and came close again when a misguided header from Neves teed up Brennan Johnson to force Jose Sa to dive at full stretch to his left to make the save.

They finally got their reward with 64 minutes played. Matheus Nunes and Matheus Cunha combined well, with the latter laying the ball on a plate for Jimenez to roll in the long-awaited equaliser and his third in three games in the competition this term.

It was almost undone in a matter of minutes, however, when time seemed to stand still as Jack Colback’s pass took a nick off Nelson Semedo’s knee and came back off the post before the ball was hastily hooked clear.

While Wolves pressed for a winner, Forest held firm and, ultimately, forced the shoot-out, which started in dramatic fashion, with Sam Surridge and Neves denied by Jose Sa and Henderson respectively.

Each of the next seven were scored, leaving 20-year-old Joe Hodge with the pressure of keeping Wolves in the tie and forcing sudden death. But it was not to be, when Henderson, who was impressive throughout the night, saved to send Forest through.

Player of the match – Dean Henderson

Other Carabao Cup quarter-final results

Manchester United 3-0 Charlton

Newcastle 2-0 Leicester

Southampton 2-0 Manchester City

What’s next?

Nottingham Forest return to Premier League action at 3pm on Saturday when they take on Leicester at the City Ground. Steve Cooper’s side then travel to Bournemouth at the same time on January 21.

Up next for Wolves is a home match against West Ham in the Premier League at 3pm on Saturday before they welcome Liverpool to Molineux at 7.45pm next Tuesday for an FA Cup third-round replay.