WEMBLEY, LONDON — Nottingham Forest ended their 23-year absence from the Premier League by securing a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the Championship playoff final at Wembley.
An own goal from defender Levi Colwill ensured Steve Cooper's Forest — who were bottom of the table after eight games — booked their spot in next season's Premier League, joining champions Fulham and runners-up Bournemouth in the top flight.
This was the fourth meeting between Huddersfield and Forest in all competitions this season and ahead of Sunday's final the Terriers had won once with Forest claiming two victories (once in the league and once in the FA Cup), but today's result was the most important of them all.
Forest's outing on Sunday was the club's first visit to the new Wembley Stadium and fans in attendance won't care one bit that, rather than a hero in red, an own goal from Chelsea loanee Colwill sent them on their way back to the promised land.
Cooper's side had dominated for large parts of the first half with Ryan Yates missing a glancing header early on and Djed Spence causing problems down the right flank, and the former played a huge part in the opener just before the stroke of half-time.
James Garner whipped in a dangerous ball from the edge of the box and Yates looked to be the quickest to react but in his tussle with Colwill, it was the defender who accidentally steered the ball home from close range past Lee Nicholls with his knee.
Huddersfield looked the more nervy of the two sides on the big occasion in the opening 45 with Lewis O'Brien their most lively player in midfield while Danny Ward and Sorba Thomas both had opportunities to score.
The Terriers saw more action in the second half but still failed to register a single shot on target throughout. However, they'll feel angered by two penalty appeals waved way by referee Jon Moss.
On 73 minutes, Harry Toffolo was brought down in the Forest box by Colback. Toffolo was then booked for simulation and even though VAR replays appeared to suggest there was slight contact, the initial decision remained.
Moments later another challenge in the box saw Max Lowe bundle into O'Brien but this one wasn't even looked at by VAR despite coach Carlos Corberan's pleas from the touchline.
Forest held their nerve and composure in the final moments to spark wild scenes come the final whistle knowing next season they'll be back again mixing it with England's biggest sides in the top flight.
Huddersfield Town vs. Nottingham Forest final score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Huddersfield Town | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nottingham Forest | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Goals
FOR- Levi Colwill (OG) (James Garner) - 43rd min
Huddersfield Town vs. Nottingham Forest as it happened during Championship playoff final
FULL-TIME: Nottingham Forest are promoted to the Premier League!
The final whistle goes to spark wild scenes as the players run towards their jubilant fans. Heartbreak for Huddersfield who will feel hard done by with the two penalty decisions... but what an effort from Cooper's side.
90th min +4: Desperate whistles from Forest fans, they're so close but Huddersfield are continuing to put pressure on,
90th min +2: Huddersfield have the ball but can't get it up to their attackers. But suddenly they're presented with a glorious chance as a first time ball into the box from O'Brien evades everyone and goes out of play. Close.
90th min: Six minutes added on.
89th min: Corberan is even more animated on the touchline, desperately trying to urge his team forward. Samba collects a routine cross and goes down hurt. He tries to walk to the half-way line to be substituted but is forced to take the quick exit to the touchline as the Huddersfield fans make the views clear. Ethan Horvath is on... talk about not ideal timing to change your goalkeeper.
84th min: Samba is down receiving treatment but is now back up on his feet.
83rd min: Huddersfield fans scream again for a penalty. This time another challenge in the box sees Lowe bundle into O'Brien but it's not even reviewed by VAR. Another big, big call that Huddersfield fans won't forgive if this costs them.
78th min: That hugely controversial call has sucked the life out of Huddersfield a little with Forest hoping to take advantage and we're almost in run-the-clock-down territory for Cooper's side.
73rd min: Huge calls for a penalty as Harry Toffolo is brought down in the Forest box by Colback. Toffolo is booked for simulation and even though VAR replays appear to suggest there is slight contact, the initial decision remains. No penalty. Philip Zinckernagel is taken off and Max Lowe is on.
70th min: Forest burst forward and after Huddersfield initially clear their lines the ball falls to Brennan, but his shot is dragged wide. 20 minutes to go and Huddersfield still haven't registered a shot on target.
66th min: Davis is off, a tireless effort from him this afternoon, and Sam Surridge comes on to huge cheers. For Huddersfield, Daniel Sinani is replaced by striker Jordan Rhodes.
63rd min: Huddersfield are getting balls into the box from both sides but they're either over hit or cut out at the near post. Few frustrations from their fans but they're team are playing with more confidence now.
60th min: Garner curls a spectacular effort from 25 yards out but it's an easy save for Nicholls.
58th min: Plenty more attacking intent from Huddersfield. Skipper Jonathan Hogg has a free header from a corner at the near post but he can't keep his effort on target.
55th min: Zinckernagel picks up the first caution of the match for a fierce challenge on O'Brien. Jon Russell is on for Sarr for the Terriers.
53rd min: Davis does excellent to wriggle away from Lees down the left but his cross is cut out with Johnson lurking at the far post.
48th min: Huddersfield have started better than they did in the previous half with some good possession. Cooper has his Forest team pressing high though and the Terriers aren't having as much time on the ball as they'd like.
We're back underway! Right then, Forest are 45 minutes from the promised land but don't expect Huddersfield to roll over for them. You feel Corberan's side need an early goal to build some momentum though.
HALF-TIME
*Only available in UK
43rd min: GOAL!
Forest take the lead right before the break courtesy of an own goal from defender Levi Colwill. Garner whips in a dangerous ball from the edge of the box and Yates looks to be the quickest to react but in his tussle with the defender it's Colwill who accidentally steers the ball home from close range past Lee Nicholls. Forest fans have gone mad!
37th min: Danny Ward tries his luck down the left flank this time and gets close to the box to win a corner after no-nonsense tackle from James Garner. A well worked set-piece routine sees Ward played in at the near post but his goal-bound effort is deflected over. Forest clear the second corner but Huddersfield are putting them under big pressure.
33rd min: Huddersfield's biggest chance yet. Thomas pulls off a neat bit of skill to beat his man on the left wing and races through on goal. He has options in the middle but looks to go for goal himself once inside the box and goalkeeper Brice Samba punches the ball clear.
29th min: Spence again finds space on the right but his ball into the box just sails over the head of Brennan Johnson.
26th min: Huddersfield fans are unhappy with referee Moss as Jack Colback clatters late into O'Brien but fails to get his cards out. He's given a talking to.
23rd min: At the other end, Huddersfield go on the attack as Lewis O'Brien and Sorba Thomas lead the large but Forest's midfield get back in time and the move breaks down in the box.
20th min: Yates finds some space and runs at the Huddersfield backline but lets one fly from the edge of the box and it goes well wide.
16th min: Huddersfield can't string a pass together at present and can barely get it out their own half. Corberan is barking orders from the touchline but the Terriers seem content just soaking up pressure right now.
12th min: Naby Sarr gives away a clumsy foul to break up a Forest attack. The resulting free-kick is whipped into the back post and Ryan Yates connects well but his header goes just wide of the post. A big chance goes begging.
*Only available in UK
8th min: Every attack for both sides is being cheered but nothing is working in the final third just yet. Forest are looking the more dangerous team in the early stages but there are plenty of nervous touches out there.
4th min: First sign of danger from Forest's right-back Spence as he bursts down the wing but his cross is easily cleared.
2nd min: Jon Moss is the referee today and straight away he awards Huddersfield two free-kicks in the middle of the pitch but both attempts come to nothing and Forest build from the back.
We're underway! Forest kick us off and Cooper's side are attacking towards the Huddersfield end.
5 mins from kickoff: A wonderful rendition of the national anthem is belted out by everyone inside the stadium and we're just moments away from kickoff now. It is LOUD in here. Sadly, the huge replica giant trophy has been wheeled off the pitch too.
8 mins from kickoff: A banner from the Forest end is unfurled that reads 'Far have we travelled, much have we seen'. Forest fans are in attendance at the new Wembley Stadium for the first time and are hoping it's a first trip to remember.
15 min from kickoff: The players have left the pitch for their final pre-match team-talk of the season as Cooper and Corberan deliver one final motivational talk. The Forest fans have packed out their end but there's still a few empty seats in the Huddersfield section. Oh, and a beach ball has just landed in the press box. A party atmosphere for sure awaits the players.
30 mins from kickoff: So who will be lifting this trophy come full-time? (The one on the left, by the way...)
40 mins from kickoff: The atmosphere is building at Wembley with fans starting to take their seats. Considering this is the last EFL playoff of the season the pitch still looks immaculate. Huddersfield players are the first to take to the field for their warmup and a few minutes later Forest join them to a huge roar from the red half of the stadium.
60mins from kickoff: Team news is in...
70 mins from kickoff: Don't be surprised to keep hearing today's match being dubbed 'the richest game in football'. Here's just how much money is at stake for both teams today.
Previous estimates broadly place the figure at £100 million ($125m) as an 'immediate' cash win, but figures vary year-on-year and continue to rise despite concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic causing it to reduce during 2022/23.
TV revenue alone is estimated at £3.1 billion ($3.9 billion) a season in the Premier League, with a minimum payment of £100m ($125m) for the lowest-ranked team in the division, in comparison to £7m ($8m) per club in the Championship.
Figures from Deloitte in 2020 estimated an increase in overall club revenue from £135m ($170m) to £265m ($333m), depending on non-TV agreements, with 2022 calculations placing it closer to £200m ($225m) as a base line.
90 mins from kickoff: So how did both teams reach Wembley?
Huddersfield finished third in the Championship and booked their spot at Wembley courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate win over Luton Town in the playoff semi-finals.
In the other semi-finals, fourth-placed Sheffield United headed to the Forest's City Ground 1-0 down but a 2-1 win for the visitors forced extra-time and then penalties.
Forest held their nerve in the shoot-out to win 3-2 on penalties courtesy of three saves from goalkeeper Brice Samba.
2 hours from kickoff: Hello and welcome to today's live coverage of the Championship playoff final at Wembley. Only one team can join already promoted Fulham and Bournemouth and we're at Wembley to see if Huddersfield Town or Nottingham Forest will be the final team confirmed to play in the 2022/23 Premier League season.
MORE: How much is Championship playoff final worth?
How to watch Huddersfield Town vs. Nottingham Forest
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| Date | Sun, May 29 | Sun, May 29 | Sun, May 29 | Mon, May 30 |
| Time | 16:30 BST | 11:30 ET | 11:30 ET | 01:30 AEST |
| TV channel | Sky Sports Football | — | DAZN | beIn Sports |
| Streaming | Now/Sky Go | ESPN+ | DAZN | — |
UK: Viewers in the UK can watch the Championship playoffs on Sky Sports Football or streamed through SkyGo. Now TV subscribers can also watch or stream the action if they have Sky Sports included.
USA: In the United States, you can stream the playoffs via ESPN+.
Canada: In Canada, DAZN is your port of call for Championship action.
Australia: In Australia, beIN SPORTS will broadcast the Championship playoffs.