Nottingham Forest back in EPL for first time since 1999

Brennan Johnson lifts the cup as Nottingham Forest is promoted to the Premier League. News Images

Nottingham Forest earns promotion to Premier League for first time in decades

By Adam Stites | Last updated 5/29/22

Nottingham Forest has been promoted and will play in the 2022-23 Premier League season after beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 in a playoff game Sunday.

The last time Nottingham Forest was in the top tier of English soccer was in 1999, but the team was relegated after finishing last place that season and hasn't been back to the Premier League since. Nottingham Forest even dropped as low as the third tier for a three-year stint before it was promoted back to the EFL Championship in 2008.

The only goal in the playoff final Sunday against Huddersfield Town came late in the first half when Levi Colwill recorded an own goal.

Nottingham Forest strike first against Huddersfield in their bid to return to the Premier League pic.twitter.com/3K2R6g4mgs
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) May 29, 2022

Huddersfield Town twice appeared to earn a penalty kick in the second half with an opportunity to level the score, but both times were denied by the referee.

Should this have been a penalty to Huddersfield? pic.twitter.com/tf9dLI8oaw
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) May 29, 2022

Nottingham Forest began its 2021-22 season with six losses and one draw through the first seven games of EFL Championship play. The team bounced back and surged up the table, even winning nine out of 10 matches during a stretch in March and April. After finishing fourth, Nottingham Forest beat Sheffield United in penalty kicks to earn a spot in the promotion playoff final.

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