Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest LIVE: Championship play-off final latest score and goal updates as Colwill own goal breaks deadlock

(AFP via Getty Images)

Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest meet at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, with one final promotion place at stake for next season’s Premier League. Fulham were promoted once more as title winners at the end of the Championship season, with Bournemouth joining them in going up after finishing second.

After the play-off semi-finals were completed it’s the teams in third and fourth who ultimately meet in the final, with the Terriers edging past Luton Town 2-1 on aggregate, while Forest saw off Sheffield United on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw. Intriguingly, when these two sides met during the regular season it was the away side who emerged victorious on both occasions: Forest triumphing 2-0 early on in the campaign, before Hudderfield won 1-0 at the City Ground in their final game of 2021.

Now it will be all about who can cope with the pressure on such a big occasion, and who finds a clinical touch at Wembley to write themselves into club folklore and propel their team to the top flight, with all the financial and sporting riches that such a promotion entails. Follow the Championship play-off final live below:

Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest

Kick-off at 4:30pm BST at Wembley

Huddersfield XI: Nicholls, Pipa, Toffolo, Hogg, O’Brien, Thomas, Sinani, Sarr, Ward, Colwill, Lees

Forest XI: Samba, Spence, Worrall, Colback, Davies, Zinckernagel, Johnson, Yates, McKenna, Cook, Garner

42’ – GOAL! Colwill deflects Garner’s strike into the top corner as Forest take the lead

Huddersfield Town FC 0 – 1 Nottingham Forest FC

Full-time: Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest

18:30 , Sarah Rendell

The mixture of emotion in Wembley right now is breathtaking. Forest’s fans have erupted in cheers with the players running over to their end.

But it’s tears and heartbreak for Huddersfield. Colwill must be devastated that his deflection has sent Forest to the Premier League.

Steve Cooper looks as though he can’t believe it, his hands on his face and he’s embracing his players. The manager has done incredibly well in his first season at the side.

Story continues

They have not only secured promotion but they also had a stunning run in the FA Cup where they knocked out the likes of Arsenal. Their time in the Premier League under this management will be so interesting.

Full-time: Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest

18:26 , Sarah Rendell

Nottingham Forest have secured Premier League promotion!

Steve Cooper’s side will compete in the top flight for the first time in 23 years, wow!

It’s Colwill’s own goal that has sent Forest to the top.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 90 + 5 mins

18:24 , Sarah Rendell

This will be a huge test for Forest with Huddersfield throwing all they have as they quite literally have everything to lose.

Cook has cleared twice as Huddersfield look to thump it upfield. Worrall whacks the ball clear at halfway all the way back to Nicholls who is shouting at his players to get chances in.

I held my breath there, O’Brien was so so close to going in there. It drifts just wide to keep the Forest hopes alive.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 90 mins

18:19 , Sarah Rendell

It looked to be a groin problem for Samba who is limping around but is remaining on the pitch.

Spence does so well to cut out a potential cross but concedes a throw in. Forest deal with the threat well, as they have all second half. They are clinging on and the frustration is clear as a punt at goal from Pipa sails over the bar.

Huddersfield have taken their time to take a shot at goal, O’Brien takes it and Samba again saves. But that will be his last play of the day as his injury wins out.

He takes a long walk, to the boos of Huddersfield fans, as Horvath comes on.

If this comes to penalties, if Huddersfield manage to get an equaliser, it will be interesting for the new keeper.

There will be six added minutes.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 83 mins

18:13 , Sarah Rendell

Huddersfield have a corner as Spence plays it out, could they have their chance here?

No they do not, the chance is squandered. Forest are doing impeccably well at keeping Huddersfield at bay here, they are defending for their lives!

Toffolo hacks the ball into the box but no one is there. Then there’s anotehr discussion around a penalty for Huddersfield. Lowe took a man out in the box, apparently it was checked by VAR but it wasn’t given.

Samba is down at the moment with injury and so there’s a break in play.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 80 mins

18:09 , Sarah Rendell

Forest have a player injured as Nicholls collides with Surridge. The game as stopped as the forward hasn’t got back up to his feet, the keeper landed on top of him.

The star is up and looks to be staying on, a good sign for Forrest. Surridge has had a bright latter half of the season, covering for Davis who has been out injured.

Forest are on the attack but it ends in a goal kick, Huddersfield are running out of time here. They need an equaliser soon or their top flight hopes are over.

Garner clears the latest attempt from the trailing team.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 75 mins

18:04 , Sarah Rendell

Thomas is adament he was fouled on halfway but nothing is given and Forest play the ball back to Samba.

Oh my goodness do we have a penalty here for Huddersfield? The last man has been taken out by Colback but VAR has ruled no penalty!

I held my breath there as it could have gone either way.

Forest make another change as Lowe is on for Zinckernagel.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 70 mins

17:59 , Sarah Rendell

Huddersfield make more changes as Sinani and Ward make way for Rhodes and Holmes.

Zinckernagel loses it in the midfield to gift Huddersfield the ball, the trailing team are dominating this second half they just need the goal to represent their good work.

The roles have completely reversed in this second 45. Huddersfield have had the majority of the ball but Forest are having moments of brilliance where they could double their lead.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 65 mins

17:55 , Sarah Rendell

Thomas is playing so well in this second half, he has created yet another chance for Huddersfield. At the moment Forest’s defence are holding well but if he keeps knocking surely he’ll break down the door.

Forest are making their first change of the match with Surridge waiting in the wings. Davis comes off in a solid match for the star who fought back from a hamstring injury to feature here.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 60 mins

17:49 , Sarah Rendell

Huddersfield have come alive! A great break from Thomas sees him send in a cross and win a corner as Spence plays the ball out. The chance ends in nothing but they are growing into the opportunities.

In a strange decision, Sarr has come off for Russell. The defender has been playing really well and so the decision seems an odd one.

Huddersfield are throwing absolutely everything at Forest right now, Thomas makes another great break but this time his cross is cleared.

Russell fouls Yates as so Forest have a free kick on the halfway line. They shift the ball between the back line in another patient build-up. A long range affort is saved by Nicholls.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 55 mins

17:44 , Sarah Rendell

The teams have settled into the second half now with the frantic chances coming to an end.

Davis does have a charge in a great position as he crosses it in but Colwill clears. Forest maintain possession and Spence, who’s had a great game, wins a corner.

Yates takes the kick but Sarr clears and O’Brien almost has a counter. Spence had to close him down and he just about handles his man.

And here’s the first yellow card as Zinckernagel fouls O’Brien and he wins a free kick.

Thomas is once again the taker but Sarr can’t quite get to it with McKenna defending well.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 50 mins

17:39 , Sarah Rendell

An early free kick for Huddersfield as Davis fouls Sinani. Thomas remains the set-piece taker as he sends the ball into the box.

Lees and Ward work the ball out wide but Samba punches away and then collects the ball to deter the chances.

It’s sent all the way to the other end as Yates has a punt at goal but Nicholls deals with it easily. Both sides absolutely firing in the second half.

Sinani is being swarmed whenever he gets the ball and this time he fouls Yates to gift Forest the ball.

Back underway! Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest

17:34 , Sarah Rendell

The second 45 are underway and all eyes will be on Huddersfield who need to find a way back into this one.

Can they do it? Or will Forest take the victory?

All the action to come.

Half-time: Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest

17:30 , Sarah Rendell

Here’s a look at the opening goal in this final:

Half-time: Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest

17:19 , Sarah Rendell

What a half of final football!

Forest had the majority of possession but Huddersfield were doing well to deter chances from the likes of Yates with Sarr defending particularly well.

But it’s the heartbreak of Colwill that is the difference so far. The own goal splits the teams after an ambitious cross from Garner saw a deflected hit from Yates go in.

Can Huddersfield bounce back? All to play for still in the second half.

Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest, 45 mins

17:17 , Sarah Rendell

That was so unfortunate for loanee Colwill, he tried to clear the ball as Yates looked to score but instead the ball has rebounded off of him and hit the back of the net.

How will Huddersfield handle conceding? So far so good with their defence not nervous and repelling chances from Forest who sense a second before half-time.

There will be one added minute.

GOAL! Huddersfield 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Colwill OG, 42 mins)

17:15 , Sarah Rendell

Well, well! What a hit from Yates!

Garner whallops the ball into the bpx and Yates hits the ball, it looks like Colwill has an own goal.

Huddersfield 0-0 Nottingham Forest, 40 mins

17:12 , Sarah Rendell

Spence played in Zinckernagel, who’s chance is blocked. Huddersfield quickly counter but Garner puts in a cracking tackle on Ward to smother the chance, he does concede a corner kick.

Thomas takes the kick and Ward connects, his shot hits a Forest player and there’s another corner. Thomas again sends it in and there’s a pinball in the box. Garner gets it clear but Huddersfield smell blood here and they are on the hunt.

But it all ends in a Forest goal kick, that was a great spell of attack but Steve Cooper’s side weathered the storm.

Huddersfield 0-0 Nottingham Forest, 36 mins

17:08 , Sarah Rendell

After a bright opening start for Huddersfield, this final so far has been all Forest. The best chances have come from Steve Cooper’s side but so far Huddersfield are doing enough to repel them.

But there’s a glimpse of that Huddersfield brilliance as Thomas leaves Worrall for dust. He snatches at the ball and Samba is forced to save.

The difference between the sides in attack is Huddersfield are quick in their chances while Forest take their time to set theirs up. Again Forest are in a good position but it came from a burst of energy from Davis, you feel if he could have got the ball away instead of this slow build-up they could be ahead.

And Huddersfield are proving my point as they steal the ball and create another opportunity, Thomas is dispossed though and now Forest have the ball again!

So much action.

Huddersfield 0-0 Nottingham Forest, 30 mins

17:02 , Sarah Rendell

O’Brien has been targeted as a player to guard by Forest as he is fouled again, this time by Colback. Huddersfield building from deep with the play started by Sarr.

But it ends in a Forest counter which is thwarted by Sarr, he is the standout player for Huddersfield at the moment.

A mistake in the midfield from Huddersfield sees Spence snatch the ball to liven the Forest fans at Wembley. McKenna has a punt but Sarr blocks and we are back to the patient build-up play by Steve Cooper’s side.

The ball is bounded about in the box but Hogg and Toffolo come to Huddersfield’s rescue.

Huddersfield 0-0 Nottingham Forest, 25 mins

16:57 , Sarah Rendell

An eventual chance comes for Yates after minutes of slow buld-up int he midfield. The star sends the ball sailing over the bar with another missed opportunity.

Huddersfield look to get back into the game after lying low for the last 10 or so minutes as Hogg tried to find Sinani but Forest shut down the break.

O’Brien then finds Thomas who concedes a throw in by the corner flag. There are glimpses of brilliance from Huddersfield and Forest need to stay switched on to repel them.

Zinckernagel can’t find his switch though as he fouls O’Brien and concedes a free kick. Thomas the taker once again but it’s easily cleared.

Huddersfield 0-0 Nottingham Forest, 20 mins

16:52 , Sarah Rendell

Another free kick for Forest, this time McKenna the player fouled. They will have to build from deep as the challenge came in their own half.

Possession switches hands but Forest again are the victors, Steve Cooper’s side are really building here and are turning into the dominant side. A nod must be sent to Huddersfield’s Sarr though who has been great in defence, aside from that hairy moment.

And it’s another good moment for the defender, he finds himself in a tricky situation but he draws the foul to win back possession.

Huddersfield 0-0 Nottingham Forest, 15 mins

16:47 , Sarah Rendell

Forest have a free kick as Sarr fouls Zinckernagel.

The ball sails into the box and Yates heads towards goal but it goes just wide, the best chance of the game so far!

There’s a nervous moment for Sarr as he attempts to play it back to his keeper and it’s almost nabbed. That would have been an embarrassing moment but the ball is eventually cleared.

Forest are slowly getting a hand on this game, they’ve slowed the tempo in the midfield and look to build attack. Spence works a great one two and wins a corner in the process.

Colback takes the kick but it misses the targets and goes out of play.

Huddersfield 0-0 Nottingham Forest, 10 mins

16:42 , Sarah Rendell

Yates the fouled player now, it’s a fast paced and brutal opening, and Forest take it quickly. They whallop the ball upfield with Colwill conceding a throw in.

Spence took the set-piece but it’s ran out of play and now Huddersfield are on the charge! There is no breathers in the opening stages of this final so far.

Sinani loses the ball in midfield and Colwill is forced to concede another throw in to thwart a Forest counter. Yates attempts to get an opportunity underway but his cross goes out.

Both clubs giving their all and after Forest’s early nerves, it’s an even paying field.

Huddersfield 0-0 Nottingham Forest, 5 mins

16:37 , Sarah Rendell

There’s an early free kick for Huddersfield as Thomas is fouled. The kick, taken but the fouled man, goes wide and the first chance is squandered.

Another challenge comes in on a Huddersfield, this time on O’Brien. Thomas takes the free kick again but it’s well collected by Samba.

Huddersfield have started brighter than Forest so far but they have had a break from Spence. Sarr cleared the ball with end-to-end football! What a start.

Kick-off! Huddersfield 0-0 Nottingham Forest

16:30 , Sarah Rendell

Here. We. Go!

The final is underway at Wembley, who will come out on top?

Do you have Huddersfield or Forest? We will know who has bagged Premier League football in the next 90 minutes (or more).

Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest

16:19 , Sarah Rendell

We are just over ten minutes away from kick-off at Wembley, how are your nerves Huddersfield and Forest fans?

It will be a nail-biting afternoon for the fans but for the neutrals it should be a cracking match at the home of English football.

The stage is set, the fans are rolling in and the players are almost out on the pitch in this fixture deciding who will be in the top flight next season.

This is what the season has been building to and we are merely minutes away…

Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest

16:08 , Sarah Rendell

The championship play-off final is an historic occasion and it provides the hottest ticket in town – Premier League status.

Reporter Tom Kershaw has written about the special final: “There is perhaps no single game with such intolerance of romance as the Championship play-off final. It is the sort of occasion that ought to be steeped in history, from Nottingham Forest’s arduous pursuit of glories past to Huddersfield Town’s hopes of marking the 100th anniversary of its first major trophy.

“There should be emotive storylines, narrated by old players over grainy montages, that give a game like this texture and tradition, weaving memory and context into the mayhem.

“Yet, all that goes against the sort of spectacle that is an inherently modern phenomenon. For the owners and executives, there are the unprecedented riches on offer, worth more than £1million a minute to the winning club. For the players, the travails and tumult of the previous 48 games are either vindicated or rendered heartbreakingly obsolete.

“Take those stakes and transport them in front of 85,000 yearning supporters at Wembley and what you get is a gauntlet unlike any other in English football, where the consequences of winning and losing could hardly be more exaggerated. Even for the most senior players, the scale of those margins can be hard to grapple with.”

Read the full piece:

Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield enter English football’s most volatile stage

Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest

15:57 , Sarah Rendell

Have you ever wondered what the financial gain for both clubs would be if they take the win this afternoon at Wembley?

Not only is there prize money for securing the victory but they will also get a piece of the pie that comes with having Premier League status.

Tim Bridge, a director in the sports business group, said: “Wembley this weekend is host to the match with the most lucrative prize in world football.

“Following a fiercely contested season, the winner of Sunday’s Championship play-off final will walk off the pitch having secured additional future revenues of at least £170million. “Promoted teams benefit from considerable financial gains which can deliver new player signings, stadium improvements and more.

“However, whilst a narrow majority of clubs promoted to the Premier League over the past decade survived their first season, half of the play-off final winners have not.

“Hence the winner of Sunday’s game will face the challenge of maintaining the excitement of fans, as well as balancing financial stability in the coming months.”

Read the full story:

‘The most lucrative prize in football’: Play-off final winner to get at least £170m

Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest

15:47 , Sarah Rendell

Ryan Yates’ only experience of Nottingham Forest in the big time is watching old episodes of ‘The Premier League Years’, but he is determined to get the club back there this weekend.

The midfielder, who joined the club as a schoolboy, was 18 months old when Forest were last in the top flight, but can help end a 23-year exile if his side beat Huddersfield in the Sky Bet Championship play-off on Sunday.

Yates has spent many hours watching the nostalgic show, gorging himself on Teddy Sheringham’s famous goal against Liverpool in 1992, but wants a slice of the action for himself.

“I was only 18 months old? That’s incredible really, I used to watch Premier League Years when I was younger,” he said. “I have seen it, the pictures weren’t the best back then to be fair. Times have changed a lot, so we are looking forward to creating our own history now.

“Just those players, the Teddy Sheringham goal is one that comes to mind, I have probably watched that 10 times and still watch it now, it’s a good watch.”

Read the full story:

Ryan Yates hopes to make new Premier League memories for Nottingham Forest

Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest team news

15:36 , Sarah Rendell

Both teams have announced their squads for today’s final!

Huddersfield will have Sorba Thomas back in the ranks for today’s final and they have Danny Ward starting after injury concerns in their semi-final.

Huddersfield: Nicholls, Pipa, Toffolo, Hogg, O’Brien, Thomas, Sarr, Sinani, Ward, Colwill, Lees.

Subs: Blackman, Pearson, Anjorin, Rhodes, Holmes, Turton, Russell.

Steve Cook has made one change to his side as Keinan Davis comes back into the starting line-up for Sam Suuridge after being benched in the semi-finals against Sheffield United due to fitness concerns.

Forest: Samba, Spence, Worrall, Colback, Davis, Zinckernagel, Johnson, Yates, McKenna, Cook, Garner.

Subs: Horvath, Figueiredo, Lowe, Surridge, Mighten, Cafu, Lolley.

Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest

15:22 , Sarah Rendell

Huddersfield captain Jonathan Hogg believes the club is better equipped for the Premier League than it was under former boss David Wagner.

The Terriers crashed out of the top flight after two seasons in 2019 and can return with victory against Nottingham Forest in today’s Sky Bet Championship play-off final.

Hogg, 33, the only remaining player from Wagner’s class of 2017, said: “As a squad I think we are better equipped, but we’ve got to get there first.

“Maybe as individuals we don’t have the quality of (Aaron) Mooy and (Philip) Billing and people like that, but that togetherness we’ve got is special. Not many teams have got what we’ve got.”

Read the full story:

Jonathan Hogg: This Huddersfield squad is better equipped for Premier League

Next up we have the team news…

Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest

15:13 , Sarah Rendell

This is a huge day in the history of both clubs with Huddersfield bidding to get back to the top flight for the first time since 2019 and Forest hunting the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.

The man of the moment for Forest is Steve Cooper who has changed the club’s fortunes from relegation to top flight hopes. He has urged his players to walk in the footsteps of past club heroes to get the job done this afternoon.

He said: “The club is built on that history and that era and we are very proud of that. We embrace what it is and why the club is what it is today, it is largely down to that history.

“We embrace it but at the same time we also want to build on that and create a positive next chapter, we have a large generation of supporters who are going to Wembley for the first time, we are trying to create something that engages them to understand why they support Nottingham Forest.

“That is what we are trying to do. Embrace the past, stand on the shoulders – we want to do that but at the same time, understanding what might be possible.”

Read the full story:

Steve Cooper urges Nottingham Forest to ‘stand on the shoulders’ of past heroes

How to watch Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest online and on TV today

12:59 , Karl Matchett

Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield will play for promotion to the Premier League when they meet in the Championship play-off final at Wembley today.

In what is described as the “most lucrative prize in football”, victory and promotion to the Premier League will be worth at least £170 million to the winner.

Forest defeated Sheffield United on penalties to move a game away from ending their 23-year wait for a top-flight return and have manager Steve Cooper to thank after an incredible turnaround this season.

Huddersfield are looking to bounce back to the Premier League following their relegation in 2019 after they saw off Luton Town in the semi-finals.

Here’s everything you need to know.

How to watch Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest online and on TV today