Tyson flag celebration sparks derby row
On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 2009 Forest beat Derby County to win the Brian Clough Trophy for the first time before Nathan Tyson’s flag celebration sparks a derby row.
Nottingham Forest claimed the Brian Clough Trophy for the first time with a 3-2 win over Derby County at the City Ground, but the match became remembered just as much for Nathan Tyson’s post-match flag celebration.
The fixture had derby pressure, but also the added meaning of a trophy named after the manager who shaped the history of both clubs. Forest started strongly, with Radosław Majewski opening the scoring before Dexter Blackstock converted from a Chris Cohen free-kick and Nathan Tyson finished from a Blackstock pass to make it 3-0.
Derby pulled goals back through a Wes Morgan own goal and Jake Livermore, which made the closing stages less comfortable than the early scoreline had suggested.
The final whistle brought relief and celebration for Forest, then the flashpoint arrived. Tyson picked up a corner flag and ran with it in front of the Derby supporters, prompting angry reactions from Derby players and a melee involving both teams. The FA treated the incident urgently, and Tyson later accepted an improper-conduct charge, turning the celebration into one of the most talked-about moments in the rivalry.
Sources
ESPN; Brian Clough Trophy records; Derby County–Nottingham Forest rivalry records
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