Nuno Espirito Santo was a relieved man last night and after the game, he was spotted doing something with Nottingham Forest forward Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Forest were roughed up 5-0 by Fulham in December at Craven Cottage. On that way out of that one,Evangelos Marinakis tosses his pass into a bush and revenge was the mission last night.
Hudson-Odoi has really started to kick on for Forest. He opened the scoring after just nine minutes at the City Ground as the Reds defeated the Cottagers 3-1 on Trentside.
The 23-year-old was remarkably signed for just £3 million in the summer. He had endured a rotten season with Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea decided to offload him.
Forest stepped in to snap him up with Steve Cooper managing the winger when the England under-17s won the World Cup in 2017.
Hudson-Odoi has really enjoyed his football at Forest this season, it would seem. After last night’s win, we spotted something thatEspirito Santo did after the contest.
What Nuno Espirito Santo did to Callum Hudson-Odoi after Forest win
Well, the 23-year-old couldn’t see the game out. He was kicked from pillar to post all night and in the end, the robust approach from Fulham caught up with the Forest star.
Hudson-Odoi was forced out of the action in the 68th minute and he was replaced by Divock Origi who came on and produced a pretty tidy cameo.
The youngster sat on the bench and supported his team over the line. At the end of the game, he was on the pitch to get the adulation from the fan base following a fine performance.
Espirito Santo clapped all four stands of the City Ground and then went over to Hudson-Odoi who was stood with Anthony Elanga discussing the victory.
The gaffer stopped in his tracks and gave Hudson-Odoi a huge hug – likely in the way of a thanks. He then shook his hand, pulled him in for another embrace and appeared to say something to him.
Perhaps it was a nod to the fact that Hudson-Odoi has been blistering on the left flank for Forest. Whatever was said prior to the game it worked and it was good to see the manager and player laughing after a big win.
Hudson-Odoi has kicked on under Espirito Santo
In a really weird way given his relationship with Cooper, Hudson-Odoi has been playing better for Forest under Espirito Santo.
The winger scored just once under Cooper and now has four goals to his name since Espirito Santo arrived at the club in December.
For a player who had found first-team football on a regular basis hard to come by before signing for Forest, five goals and three assists isn’t a bad return.
After last night’s game, it was crystal clear that Espirito Santo was impressed with the output that Hudson-Odoi produced during the huge win for Forest.
The warm embrace with the three-time England star showcases that he’s a big fan of the player and he will hope to nurture him further.
There is still so much more to come from Hudson-Odoi and under the influence of Espirito Santo perhaps he can start to fulfil his undoubted potential.
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