By G9ija
Nottingham Forest have returned to the top flight of English football for the first time in 23 years as they beat Huddersfield 1-0 in VAR controversy fueled playoff final.
Hudderfield started the stronger side, dominating possession and setting the tempo straight out of the gate. The best chances, however, were fashioned by Forest.
James Garner, on loan from Manchester United, was electric throughout the first half. The 21-year-old delivered an inch-perfect free-kick in the 11th minute which Ryan Yates headed wide.
Yates would spurn another opportunity before Garner delivered a wonderfully testing ball that, under pressure from Yates, Levi Colwill deflected into his own net.
Huddersfield struggled to fashion many goal scoring opportunities but looked threatening throughout the encounter, especially in the second half.
This was the first Championship playoff final to benefit from the use of a Video Assistant Referee, although Huddersfield would argue the benefits.
Two penalty appeals in the space of ten minutes were waved away despite replays showing clear contact in both cases.
In the end, Forest held firm and will be plying their trade in the top flight of English football for the first time since the 1998/99 season.