Nottingham Forest Vs. Swansea City, 2011 nPower Championship Playoffs: Okay Seriously This Is Bananas

This game has officially gotten bananas. Mike Dean has missed a clear handball for which Nottingham Forest should have been awarded a penalty. They then scored on the ensuing corner kick, and that goal was disallowed for offsides. Swansea City went on the attack quickly and forced Lee Camp into a great save. Yes, this is an average Championship playoff game.

First, the handball. It was absolutely clear as day, and it’s pretty surprising that Mike Dean has missed it. In the 71st minute, Robert Earnshaw drilled a hard shot towards the middle of the goal, but it was blocked by Ashley Williams. Problem is, it was blocked by his arm, which was a good deal away from his body. No penalty was granted.

On the ensuing corner kick, it appeared that Earnshaw, who has lived up to his fox in the box reputation tonight, had scored the opener. However, he was well offsides, and this time the officials got the decision right by disallowing the goal.

Right after the disallowed goal, Swansea did brilliantly to get out onto the counter and create a shooting opportunity for Luke Moore, but Lee Camp got down to save it brilliantly.

Around this mark, the managers both took the opportunity to make a number of substitutions. Nottingham Forest brought on Nathan Tyson and Gareth McCleary for Robert Earnshaw and Paul McKenna, while Swansea brought on Mark Gower for Joe Allen.