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9 April, 1989

League Cup treble win

On this day in 1989 Forest beat Luton Town to win a 3rd League Cup.

Trophies and titles

Domestic cup win
Goal scorer, Nigel Clough.
Goal scorer, Nigel Clough. Image: Chris Barnes / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nottingham Forest won the League Cup for the third time by beating Luton Town 3-1 at Wembley.

Luton scored first, which gave the final an early jolt and forced Forest to respond rather than simply manage the occasion. Nigel Clough brought Forest level from the penalty spot after the break, turning the momentum of the afternoon.

Goal scorer, Nigel Clough.
Goal scorer, Nigel Clough. Image: Chris Barnes / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Forest then took control. Tommy Gaynor’s cross found Neil Webb, who controlled the ball before finishing to put Forest ahead. Clough added the third with a low shot from just outside the penalty area, completing the comeback and giving the scoreline a decisive shape.

The match gave Forest a major trophy under Brian Clough and brought Wembley celebration back to the club. Finals are remembered differently from ordinary wins because the scoreline becomes attached directly to silverware, and this one ended with Forest lifting the League Cup.

For supporters, the afternoon offered the full emotional swing of a final: early concern, second-half control, and a trophy at the end of it. Luton were holders, but Forest left Wembley with the cup.

Match Coverage

Sources

Hatters Heritage; Nottingham Forest official honours; Getty Images

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Notts County 0–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 3–0 Blackburn
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Vitória SC 1–1 Nottingham Forest
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Portimonense 1–2 Nottingham Forest Sporting CP 4–1 Nottingham Forest
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Udinese 1–0 Nottingham Forest Barcelona 1–0 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 2–1 Bayer Leverkusen
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Nottingham Forest 2–0 Stade Brestois 29
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Nottingham Forest 0–1 Leeds
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Nottingham Forest 0–2 Leeds
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Liverpool 2–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 0–0 Tottenham
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Aston Villa 1–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 0–1 Coventry
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Crystal Palace 14:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 16:30 Arsenal
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Ipswich 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Brentford 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 17:30 Manchester City
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Bournemouth 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 20:00 Chelsea
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Hull City 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brighton
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Sunderland 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Everton
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Manchester United 16:30 Nottingham Forest
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Newcastle 19:30 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Fulham
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Nottingham Forest 19:30 Hull City
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Manchester City 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Bournemouth
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Chelsea 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brentford
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Fulham 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Manchester United
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Everton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 20:00 Newcastle
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Tottenham 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Aston Villa
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Leeds 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Liverpool
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Sunderland
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Brighton 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Crystal Palace
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Arsenal 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Ipswich
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Coventry 16:00 Nottingham Forest
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Trophies and titles