Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba left with horror lump on his head after clash in bad-tempered Derby clash
NOTTINGHAM FOREST goalkeeper Brice Samba was left with a shockingly large egg-shaped lump on his head during the bad-tempered win over Derby County.
The 27-year-old’s cranium swelled up after a clash with opposition captain Tom Lawrence in the first half of the Championship match at the City Ground.
He collided with the Derby skipper after he challenged Derby forward for the ball.
Samba needed treatment for several minutes as Sky Sports’ TV cameras revealed the disgusting lump developing on his head.
One fan tweeted: “Brice Samba has a welt on the side of his head the size of a tennis ball following a collision. Surely no way he plays in the second half for Forest.”
Another wrote: “Okay Brice Samba should have been subbed off immediately. That lump on his forehead is SCARY.”
Samba was allowed to continue with his head heavily bandaged but it would not be the last time he and Lawrence would have a run-in.
Following a goalless opening period, the deadlock was broken when promotion-chasing Forest took the lead moments after the restart through Lewis Grabban.
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Brennan Johnson then doubled their advantage with a second in the 88nd minute.
But Derby were handed a lifeline with two minutes to go when they were awarded a penalty.
Lawrence kept his cool to stick it away Samba guessing the right way.
But as the goalscorer attempted to get the ball to restart the action, the stopper tried to block him from doing so as trouble soon erupted.
The pair became embroiled in a tangle in the net as players from both sides rushing over as pushing and shoving ensued.
Both Lawrence and Samba were cautioned - but that was only the beginning of the trouble.
With just seconds remaining, Derby’s ex-Manchester United and West Ham star Morrison was shown a straight red card for a high, late challenge on Philip Zinckernagel.
Almost instantly the full-time whistle was blown as Forest ensured they had the bragging rights in the Brian Clough derby.
However, even though the game was over, the action was not.
Suddenly a huge fracas broke out on the pitch as both sets of players and substitutes - and Morrison - tangled with each other as tempers boiled over.
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Things soon calmed down after the heated exchanges but the Football Association is likely to launch an investigation into the angry scenes.
The result leaves Derby eight points adrift of safety while Forest’s play-off push continues.