Thomas double routs Norwich
On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 1997 Forest beat Norwich City 4–1 during the Division One promotion season.
Nottingham Forest’s first home league game of the 1997-98 Division One promotion season ended with a 4-1 win over Norwich City at the City Ground.
After relegation from the Premier League, Forest needed to show they could respond quickly. Dave Bassett’s side had already started well away from home, and this performance gave the home crowd an early sign that the promotion push had real substance.
Pierre van Hooijdonk scored, Geoff Thomas struck twice, and Kevin Campbell also found the net. The scorers reflected the strength Forest had in attacking areas, with experience and finishing power spread across the side.
The result was more than a comfortable home win. It helped build early belief that Forest could impose themselves on Division One rather than spend the season dealing with relegation hangover.
That belief proved justified. Forest went on to win the division and return to the Premier League at the first attempt, and the Norwich win belonged to the early surge that made the campaign feel purposeful from the start.
Sources
11v11; Transfermarkt; English Football Stats
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Nottingham Forest’s first home league game of the 1997-98 Division One promotion season ended with a 4-1 win over Norwich City at the City…