First FA Cup triumph at Palace
On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 1898 Forest win their first FA Cup.
Nottingham Forest won the FA Cup for the first time by beating Derby County 3-1 at Crystal Palace.
Arthur Capes scored twice and John McPherson added the other Forest goal, giving the club a landmark victory over its East Midlands rival. Derby had drawn level, but Forest regained the lead before half-time in a moment that gave the final its decisive shape.
The second Forest goal came after a cross from Tom McInnes caused trouble in the Derby defence. The goalkeeper reached the ball but dropped it, and Capes turned it into the empty net to put Forest back in front.
McPherson added Forest’s third late on, sealing the club’s first major trophy. The win gave Forest their first FA Cup and placed the club firmly into the competition’s early history.
Beating Derby in the final added another layer to the achievement. The 3-1 scoreline, Capes’ two goals and the Crystal Palace setting all became part of Forest’s early identity as an FA Cup-winning side.
Sources
The FA; FA Cup Finals; Nottingham Forest official honours
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