Nottingham Forest 2-1 Bradford City: Joao Carvalho's double takes Forest into EFL Cup second round

Joao Carvalho goals were his first for Forest since November 2019

Joao Carvalho scored two goals in three first-half minutes as a much-changed Nottingham Forest saw off spirited League Two opponents Bradford City in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

The Portuguese, who spent last season on loan with Spanish second-tier side Almeria, put them ahead from Philip Zinckernagel's cross.

And the same pair combined soon after, resulting in club-record signing Carvalho finishing low into the net at the far post.

Bradford created plenty of chances throughout, with Andy Cook, Lee Angol and Callum Cooke all going close before Carvalho's rapid double.

The visitors were rewarded when Cooke bent a fine free-kick into the bottom corner but they could not force an equaliser.

Forest, beaten by Coventry City in injury-time in their Championship opener on Sunday, handed debuts to six players and struggled to gain control for much of the first half.

Riley Harbottle did shoot wide for the hosts and the impressive Zinckernagel had a goal-bound effort blocked as they had more possession, but the Bantams created the better chances.

Cook and Niall Canavan both nodded efforts wide and keeper Ethan Horvath made a fine save to keep out Lee Angol's fierce 30-yard strike.

But Carvalho, who last played for the Reds in September 2020, put them ahead from Zinckernagel's clever pull-back and another composed finish from the playmaker made it 2-0 with a crisp close-range finish.

Abo Eisa and Angol wasted decent chances after the interval, and although Cooke's classy free-kick reduced the gap, the half-time lead was enough to see Forest progress.