An inspired performance from Brennan Johnson helped Nottingham Forest overcome Blackburn at Ewood Park to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
The forward put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot, but Blackburn equalized shortly before half-time through Scott Wharton.
Jesse Lingard’s deflected free-kick restored Forest’s advantage before a Taiwo Awoniyi strike made it three.
Johnson scored a second late on to complete an impressive display.
Blackburn manager Jon Dahl Tomasson made 11 changes from the team which beat Norwich City on Saturday, and the Championship promotions hunters – currently third in the second tier – struggled to contain Forest; and especially Johnson.
The forward, who played in all three of Wales’ matches in Qatar and who was one of three World Cup players picked to start for Forest, won the 12th-minute penalty by drawing a foul from Wharton before sending Ainsley Pears the wrong way from the spot.
Despite having 16 first-half shots Forest could not extend their lead, and were pegged back shortly before an interval when Wharton headed home a free-kick taken by younger brother Adam.
Steve Cooper’s Premier League side kept up their momentum after half-time however, and went back in front when Lingard’s free-kick took a double deflection before rolling past Pears.
Awoniyi then secured Forest’s progression by taking Lingard’s incisive pass, rolling away from Wharton and finishing calmly past Pears, who made several good saves to keep the score respectable.
Johnson wrapped up the win in stoppage time, striking low past Pears from just inside the box.
Victory ensures Forest a place in the EFL Cup quarter-final draw, which will take place on Thursday night.
Line-ups
Blackburn
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Pears
- 27Travis
- 33PhillipsSubstituted forHyamat 72′minutes
- 16WhartonBooked at 52mins
- 15MolaSubstituted forEdunat 45′minutes
- 30Garrett
- 36WhartonSubstituted forBuckleyat 73′minutes
- 18MarkandaySubstituted forDolanat 72′minutesSubstituted forBreretonat 88′minutes
- 8szmodics
- 19hedges
- 14Hirst
Substitutes
- 1Kaminsky
- 3Pickering
- 5Hyam
- 7Edun
- 10Dolan
- 11Rankin-Costello
- 21Buckley
- 22Brereton
- 23Dack
Nottm Forest
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Henderson
- 7N WilliamsSubstituted forMbe Sohat 88′minutes
- 4WorrallBooked at 55mins
- 30Boly
- 15Tofolo
- 22Yates
- 5MangalaSubstituted forO’Brienat 63′minutes
- 23FreulerSubstituted forColbackat 83′minutesBooked at 84mins
- 20Johnson
- 9AwoniyiSubstituted forDennisat 82′minutes
- 11LingardSubstituted forSurridgeat 83′minutes
Substitutes
- 3S Cook
- 6Mbe Soh
- 8Colback
- 12Smith
- 14O’Brien
- 16Surridge
- 25Dennis
- 26McKenna
- 32Lodi
- Referee:
- Robert Jones
- Attendance:
- 15,138
Live Text
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Match ends, Blackburn Rovers 1, Nottingham Forest 4.
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Second Half ends, Blackburn Rovers 1, Nottingham Forest 4.
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Goal! Blackburn Rovers 1, Nottingham Forest 4. Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sam Surridge.
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Offside, Nottingham Forest. Harry Toffolo tries a through ball, but Emmanuel Dennis is caught offside.
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Foul by Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers).
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Lewis O’Brien (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt saved. Ryan Hedges (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
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Jake Garrett (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest).
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Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Ben Brereton replaces Tyrhys Dolan because of an injury.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Loïc Mbe Soh replaces Neco Williams.
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Delay in match because of an injury Tyrhys Dolan (Blackburn Rovers).
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Lewis Travis (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Emmanuel Dennis (Nottingham Forest).
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Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Ryan Hedges (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest).
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Hand ball by Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest).
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Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Jack Colback replaces Remo Freuler.