Nottingham Forest faced a setback in the EFL Cup, losing 3-2 to Swansea City. Despite taking an early lead with two goals from Igor Jesus, Forest couldn't maintain their advantage. Swansea's Alan Sheehan led a comeback, with Cameron Burgess scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time after Zan Vipotnik equalised.
Ange Postecoglou expressed his disappointment following the match. He had previously stated that his team would quickly adapt to his strategies. "I just thought it was a game we really should have killed off long before it got to the stage that it did," he told Sky Sports. The manager emphasised the need for improvement, noting missed opportunities and decisions that didn't favour them.
Forest's recent form has been challenging under Postecoglou,
who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this month. Their defeat to Arsenal last Saturday added pressure on the team. Despite having 17 shots and an expected goals tally of 2.83 compared to Swansea's 0.72, Forest failed to capitalise on their chances.
Before this defeat, Nottingham Forest had a strong record in the EFL Cup against lower-division teams, advancing in 13 of their last 15 matches. They had won four consecutive games since losing to Burton Albion in the 2018-19 fourth round. Now, they must regroup as they prepare for a Premier League clash against Burnley.
Away from the Champions League, Championship side Swansea City came from 2-0 down to knock Nottingham Forest out of the English League Cup tonight. pic.twitter.com/v2H1yhwYSM Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 17, 2025
Postecoglou acknowledged that his players became complacent after scoring what seemed like a third goal. He stressed the importance of recognising warning signs during matches and finishing off opponents when given the chance. The team now faces the task of addressing these issues before their next fixture.
The defeat marks a challenging period for Nottingham Forest as they adjust to new management and seek their first win under Postecoglou's leadership. With upcoming matches in both domestic league and cup competitions, they aim to bounce back and regain momentum on the field.
