Garth Crooks in surprise choice as Nottingham Forest stars dominate his team of the week
Latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive as four Reds stars feature in team of the week
by Bruna Reis · NottinghamshireLiveBBC pundit Garth Crooks has named four Nottingham Forest players in his Premier League team of the week - including goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Forest claimed back-to-back wins against Newcastle and Manchester United during the festive period as new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo worked his magic on the top-flight strugglers.
Forest won 3-1 at James' Park with Chris Wood scoring a hat-trick before Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White were on target to put United to the sword at the City Ground.
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And Crooks, the former Tottenham and Stoke City striker, has now picked out Murillo, Gibbs-White, Wood and Turner to feature in his team of the week.
Turner's selection, ahead of Liverpool's Alisson and Newcastle's Martin Dubravka, will have raised some eyebrows after he was heavily criticised for his role in Marcus Rashford's equaliser for United at the City Ground. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was particularly harsh in his assessment of Turner's performance.
But in explaining his decision, Crooks told BBC Sport: "Liverpool's Alisson did what he had to do against Burnley but conceded two goals against Newcastle, although that didn't stop his side from going three points clear at the top of the table.
"Newcastle's Martin Dubravka saved a penalty from Mohamed Salah and had an excellent game, but couldn't keep Liverpool at bay and his team got battered at home by Nottingham Forest a few days earlier. Manchester City's Ederson played three games in a matter of days - including the Club World Cup final - and kept clean sheets in two of them.
"He rarely lets his team down when called upon, but Nottingham Forest's Matt Turner makes my selection for two outstanding performances away at St James' Park and at home to Manchester United. The American lived dangerously at times against United but wins my vote. Two great wins, two great matches and a very successful period for Forest."
On Murillo, he added: "It can't be easy for any team when a new manager takes over. However, the departure of the popular Steve Cooper from Nottingham Forest seems to have done them no harm. Since the introduction of Nuno Espirito Santo they have won two of three games and they only conceded two goals in total in their tough-looking fixtures away at Newcastle and home to Manchester United. Forest hadn't beaten Manchester United at the City Ground since 1992 but much of their 2-1 victory was down to the teams' superb defensive display. Brazilian defender Murillo was at the heart of both displays and was quite superb in their 3-1 win at St James' Park."
On picking Gibbs-White, Crooks explained: "He played in consecutive games for Nottingham Forest over the festive period and had a major influence in both. Gibbs-White was outstanding at Newcastle and took his goal brilliantly against Manchester United - and he's not renowned for scoring.
"Gibbs-White's performance at St James' Park was inspirational and he handled a midfield that, until recently, had been competing in the Champions League. The Under-17 World Cup winner has helped provide new Forest manager Nuno with a sensational start to his tenure at the City Ground. His tackles on Scott McTominay and Johnny Evans, which earned him a yellow card, signalled his intent. His goal won them the game."
On Wood, Crooks concluded: "What has happened to Manchester United? They showed all the passion and desire, even touches of brilliance in patches, in order to come from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2. Four days later it had all evaporated in defeat at Forest. I'll accept they were unlucky to lose the services of striker Rasmus Hojlund through sickness.
"He might have produced an interesting performance against Forest, having scored his debut goal for United against Villa, but nevertheless they were a mere glimpse of their former selves. Forest in the other hand were magnificent at St James' Park and deserved their victory courtesy of a superb hat-trick by Wood. The same player led the line against United and, along with Anthony Elanga, has the ability to put the wind up any defence. He destroyed Newcastle and Manchester United in the space of just a few days."
Team of the week: Matt Turner (Forest) Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham), Murillo (Forest), Max Kilman (Wolves), Phil Foden (Man City), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest), Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), Mo Salah (Liverpool), Chris Wood (Forest), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves).