ANOTHER BIG STEP IN PURSUIT OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLACE

"WHEN you don't have energy, you have to have belief," head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said after Nottingham Forest's 1-0 win over Manchester United.

- By SARAH CLAPSON

The Reds were in short supply of the former after playing 120 gruelling minutes in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final win over Brighton & Hove Albion but there is no doubt about the character of this squad.

Not only do Forest have belief - and it is growing with every passing week as they build towards achieving something very special they have guts, grit, commitment and determination.

And on Tuesday night, they could also rely on the backing of the City Ground crowd to help get them over the line.

Nuno's side were under the cosh at times, especially in the final minutes. They also looked dead on their feet by the end as the weekend's exertions and the short turnaround took their toll.

Coming through to take the three points and edge closer to Champions League qualification required a mammoth effort but victory left them nine points clear of fifth-placed Manchester City, albeit from having played an extra game.

Here's a look at some of the big talking points from a cracking win Trentside:

Electric Elanga

It was almost inevitable Anthony Elanga was going to score against his former club. The winger is in a rich vein of form at the moment and is brimming with confidence.

This was his fifth goal of the season in the Garibaldi and his 14th goal contribution in all. And it was an absolute beauty. A goal of the season contender, for sure.

When Ryan Yates cleared from a United corner, Elanga collected the ball deep in his own half. He then left the visitors eating dust as he ran 85 metres in the space of just nine seconds before drilling the ball past goalkeeper Andre Onana. It was sensational.

"It is about attacking the space and getting to the opposite goal as quick as I can. I saw the space and I believe I'm one of the fastest players in the league," the Sweden international told TNT Sports.