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Steve Cooper admitted there were parts of Nottingham Forest’s performance he "didn’t like", despite a 4-1 victory at Blackburn Rovers that sent them cruising into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

A double from Brennan Johnson and goals by Jesse Lingard and Taiwo Ayoniyi saw off their high-flying Championship hosts, but Cooper said afterwards he wanted his side "to be more ruthless".

"We should have been out of sight after 15 or 20 minutes," he said. "After we got the first goal, I wanted the team to step on and take the game away from Blackburn.

"I thought we could have been a bit more ruthless and aggressive with our play. I never felt like we did not control the game, but I did not like our decision-making after the goal."

Wales forward Brennan Johnson was a constant menace on the right, winning and scoring the penalty for Forest’s opener, and Cooper reserved special praise for the 21-year-old.

"I thought he was a right threat today and it was only a matter of time before he created and scored again," said Cooper. "He took the penalty really well and looked clinical.

"Overall, it’s job well done and there are loads of positives, but some bits that I didn’t quite like as well."

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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 equalised 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.

Match report.

Marc

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This goal is so iconic.... Barnes dribbling through one of the best Brazilian teams in years to silence the Maracana in '84!

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Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, told Johnny Cantor of BBC Radio Sussex, losing to Charlton in the penalty shootout "is frustrating" after dominating the game.

"It feels very raw because I thought we played very well and dominated the game from start to finish.

"It goes to penalties and anything can happen. They [Charlton] almost felt like they'd won.

"It is frustrating but it's football and that's what happens. We were on the wrong side of that defeat tonight.

"It was a great opportunity for us to get into the quarter-finals and maybe do something special but we've got to put that to bed now and make sure we're ready for Southampton."

Roberto de Zerbi apologised to the Brighton fans after his side were dumped out of the Carabao Cup on penalties at struggling League One side Charlton.

Goalless at full-time, Solly March had the chance to win the shootout but sent his effort over, with Pascal Gross, Leandro Trossard and Moises Caicedo all also missing their spot-kicks.

“I’m sorry for the result and I’m sorry for our fans,” De Zerbi said. “We wanted to win the game and play in the quarter-finals.

“We played a good game, not a fantastic game, but enough to win it. We made a lot of mistakes in the last five metres, and on penalties you can lose.

“We had match point with March, but we made another mistake - and when you make another mistake, you have to lose.”

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Brighton will want to get their season up and running again as swiftly as possible after a disappointing loss to Charlton in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

That's the view of ex-Everton midfielder Leon Osman, who feels Albion must have been frustrated that the campaign was paused in November.

"They are probably one of those teams that did not want the break to come," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Roberto de Zerbi came in, they are sitting nicely in seventh, and they were probably just starting to get the momentum they wanted.

"I imagine it's been a frustrating period for him, waiting for the season to be up and running, and he will quickly want a turnaround after this defeat.

"He will not want the season to fritter away."

More analysis on Brighton from 15'56 on BBC Sounds

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League One Charlton stunned top-flight Brighton on penalties after a goalless draw to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

The Addicks defended well to keep their opposition at bay in normal time, with Brighton toothless in front of goal.

Charlton's win sees them become the only non-Premier League side to reach the last eight.

"It's a special night, a special performance," said Charlton caretaker boss Anthony Hayes.

Match report.

Manchester United

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Andy

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Izzy Christiansen
Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen, told BBC Radio 5 Live, Beth Mead is "a real role model" and deserves all the recognition for her achievements this year.

On the 2022 Sports Personality of the Year winner, Christiansen said: "I don't think she knows just how good she is.

"She's dealing with extreme adversity off the field, so I have so much admiration for how she's managing to hit the performance levels that she's hit, when she has other stuff going on in her life.

"I think she's a real role model and an exceptionally talented footballer, so I was absolutely delighted to hear she won last night.

"Beth, along with other names from the Lionesses squad, have become household names. People are starting to understand now that these female athletes are role models. They have taken a dream and made it into reality."

Jen Beattie
Scotland defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Arsenal defender Jen Beattie, told BBC Radio 5 Live she's not surprised team mate Beth Mead won Sports Personality of the Year because she has "gone above and beyond what success looks like."

On Mead becoming the first women's footballer to win the award, Beattie said: "We knew she would win it, we're so proud of her and everything she's achieved this year. She's gone above and beyond what success looks like, so we're all so happy for her.

"Beth is unbelievable. I'm 31 and have played with a lot of team mates but she always come in with a smile on their face, she's a people person, she's there for you but she's also an unbelievable worker and I don't think she gets enough credit for that.

"She's known for being a bubbly, happy person but she works so hard as well, everyday on that training pitch. It's no surprise that she's achieved so much already and a relatively young age.

"I was lucky enough to be at the final but after seeing what the Lionesses did all summer, we were all thinking, what is the impact going to be? We've seen figures of attendances massively increase in the WSL already but to see a female footballer win that kind of award is just fantastic.

"It is challenging perceptions of women's football and that's what females in the game have been trying to do for so long, so we're just thankful that it's definitely starting to change."

Thomas

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Mark

Lots saying this goal!

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Manchester United will look to sign a new centre-forward, but they need to opt for someone who can bring the best out of Marcus Rashford, according to former Premier League defender Danny Higginbotham.

Rashford continued his fine form with a goal against Burnley in the Carabao Cup and Higginbotham - who came through the academy at Old Trafford - told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast that Rashford is thriving in a variety of roles.

"What's his best position? He played off the right, off the left and through the middle and he played well in all of them," said Higginbotham. "It looks like he has a real understanding of what he is capable of.

"His best games for England were when Harry Kane dropped into a number 10 position and Rashford found himself the highest on the pitch.

"I know United will try to sign a striker - but it has to be someone who can bring out the best in the players around him."

Ex-Everton midfielder Leon Osman agreed, saying he thinks Erik ten Hag would love a new striker in January.

"Given the right circumstances, I am sure he will bring one in," Osman said. "They are also in a position where they can probably get without doing so. It just has to be right as a club."

More analysis on United's win on BBC Sounds here

Simon: Best solo goal? Ryan Giggs against Arsenal. End of discussion.

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