Memory Lane: Forest 3 Birmingham 0

FOREST faced a manic task of three games in five days over the Easter holiday.

But after a draw at Coventry, the Reds destroyed relegation-threatened Birmingham on the Monday.

The comprehensive victory was followed by a third successive home win, when they beat West Ham two days later.

The scoreline against Birmingham flattered the game, which was seldom a spectacle, but not Forest's crushing domination.

A 28th-minute penalty, competently converted by Nigel Clough, was added to by Johnny Metgod's exquisitely-struck free kick and a scrambled late effort from Neil Webb.

Forest were never under pressure, with the Blues devoid of self-belief and dependant on hard work and a packed defence rather than imagination.

The hosts had many chances to increase the size of the Blues' defeat.

Clough sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with his spot-kick after Garry Birtles ably turned Mark Smalley and forced a one-handed save from David Seaman.

Webb was dragged back by Brian Roberts as he shaped to smash the rebound into a gaping net.

Metgod's ability to squeeze long-range free kicks into the tightest corner effectively ended Birmingham's resistance as early as the 48th minute.

The Dutchman was deadly with a curling 30-yard drive.

And it was surprising Forest had to wait until the dying stages for their third goal.

David Campbell pushed the ball along the six-yard box after Seaman failed to keep hold of the ball.

Webb, without connecting properly, was relieved to see his simple effort drop in.

Birtles' fruitless search for his first League goal of the season saw him steer a shot over the bar at the near post, have another blocked from close range and push a diving header wide of the post.

The influential Clough also brought a stretching save from Seaman with a wicked 35-yard drive.

The game was so one-sided that Birmingham caused only serious problems in the final minutes, when Kennedy headed against a post.

Afterwards, manager Brian Clough said: "We were never in real danger from Birmingham.

"But nothing should detract from the way we played, how we took our chances or the confident manner we showed generally.

"We've taken our tally to seven goals in two matches on our own pitch into the bargain. So nobody can expect any more from us - except that we keep things going."

Forest: Sutton, Fleming, Pearce, Walker, Metgod, Bowyer, Campbell, Webb, Clough, Birtles (Walsh), Rice.

Birmingham: Seaman, Ranson, Roberts (Kennedy), Garton, Smalley, Kuhl, Bremner, Clarke, Wright, Handysides, Hopkins.