Barnsley 2-0 Nottingham Forest: Callum Styles and Cauley Woodrow score in Tykes win
- Published
Chris Hughton took over at Forest in early October
Callum Styles and Cauley Woodrow grabbed late goals as resurgent Barnsley saw off Nottingham Forest for a fourth win in five games under new boss Valerien Ismael.
The Tykes hit the woodwork three times and Forest were kept at bay by some wonderful goalkeeping from Jack Walton in a captivating match at Oakwell that seemed destined to end in a scoreless draw.
But Styles crashed a glorious effort into the top corner inside the final five minutes.
Woodrow, who was twice denied by the frame of the goal, made the points safe soon after when he turned in Callum Brittain's right-wing cross.
Woodrow was a standout performer in a thrilling contest, rattling the bar with an audacious curling chip in the first half and then going even closer with a fierce strike that crashed off the underside of the bar after the interval.
Conor Chaplin was also denied after when he turned sharply in the box to beat keeper Brice Samba, but not the woodwork.
The Tykes, who move up to 13th in the Championship table, were susceptible defensively, though, and with Joe Lolley and Anthony Knockaert starring, Forest created numerous chances.
The hosts were grateful for keeper Walton, who pulled off several fine saves, notably when denying Miguel Angel Guerrero, Lolley and Lyle Taylor.
Walton's sprawling stop from Taylor's header after a fine Cyrus Christie cross was the pick of the bunch and came just before the late home double.
Forest, who remain 20th in the table, felt Woodrow ran the ball out of play in the build-up to the opening goal, finished by Styles.
And the visitors had still not regained their composure or shape when Woodrow made the points safe.
Barnsley head coach Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"It was a 50-50 game - both sides could have gone in front - but when you stay focused and you win such an important game, the feeling for the guys is that it's a step in the right way.
"We want to start strong and finish strong, we want to play like this all the time for 90-plus minutes.
"I hope in the future that the guys know we can score goals in any minute from any situation."
Forest manager Chris Hughton said:
"We created the better chances through normal play. If you don't put your chances away then a good enough side like Barnsley can possibly capitalise on that.
"We haven't played a bad team so far this season. Barnsley kept going and looked for their opportunities.
"Unfortunately, it didn't happen for us today and it did for them. We've got to be scoring goals and if we're not taking the opportunities then we continue to put that pressure on ourselves."