In the recent Premier League Cup fixture, Nottingham Forest U21 claimed a thrilling victory over Sunderland U21 with a decisive score of 2-1. The final outcome, however, was a close call and could be attributed to several key statistical elements of the match.

Nottingham Forest started slow as Sunderland U21 took an early lead in the first half, precisely at the 27:23 mark. This early goal, while it initially seemed to place Sunderland in a commanding position, failed to dampen the fighting spirit of the home team.

In terms of offensive performance, it was a relatively balanced game with both teams showing similar statistics. Nottingham Forest made 5 corner kicks whereas Sunderland initiated 4. However, neither of the teams managed to capitalize significantly on these opportunities. Likewise, both teams committed three offsides each, indicating a desperate yet disciplined attempt to pierce through the defense.

The turning point came in the second half with Nottingham Forest equalizing at the 75:18 minute, bringing the game back into play. The equalizer was not just a morale booster but also a sign of shifting momentum in favor of the home team.

The defensive discipline of Nottingham Forest was phenomenal, receiving no yellow cards in stark contrast to Sunderland who were issued two yellow cards - a factor that also played into Nottingham Forest's favour. The first yellow card for Sunderland came after the equalizing goal from Nottingham Forest, precisely at the 87:50-minute mark. This could indicate a rise in frustration and increased aggressive play from the away team that might have been a crucial factor in shifting the game balance.

Nevertheless, the match was ultimately decided in the overtime of the second half when Nottingham Forest scored the winning goal at the 109:37-minute and Sunderland received their second yellow card at 113:32-minute, thereby sealing a nail-biting victory for the home team.

In conclusion, the match was a display of relentless spirit and discipline from Nottingham Forest U21, who turned the tables in the second half displaying fabulous teamwork and strategy. The aggressive play and lack of defensive discipline from Sunderland U21 cost them the match, as they conceded late goals and attracted unwanted penalties. The defensive discipline, efficient use of corner kicks and offside traps by the home team turned out to be the most significant factors that impacted the match outcome.

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