Anderson shows character to go with talent after personal loss

He had already scored in the 5-0 win at Sunderland last month as he continues to produce for Forest at the most difficult of times.

"It did [mean a lot] - a few things going on recently so it felt really nice," he told Sky Sports.

"We've made a U-turn and done really well. The manager is brilliant and we're all behind him. It was a tough game in midweek but as the manager said, this group is full of fighters.

"Four managers has not been easy but we've all stuck together and fought for each other."

Pereira also praised the midfielder's courage after his fourth goal of the season following such an emotional week.

"It's difficult for me and I believe everybody can understand what he's feeling inside," he said.

"But in the end I believe that he honours his mother, going on the pitch and running until the last breath.

"I think he wants a lot to score a goal, and he believes until the end. He's a very, very talented player but is a strong, strong character. If not, it's not possible."

Anderson has become an England regular this season, earning seven caps, and is certain to go to the World Cup as one of Thomas Tuchel's trusted players.

Manchester United and Manchester City have him high on their wanted list this summer and Forest will struggle to keep him with no European football next season.

"I don't have the answer," said Pereira when asked about Anderson's future.

"I know he deserves the top of the world. But he's our player. We need to enjoy him. Sometimes I work with top, talented players, but to find a top player with this character is not easy.

"I'm not thinking about next season. I'm thinking about finishing this season in the best position we can."

Forest are certain to make a huge profit on the 23-year-old, who cost £35m when he moved from St James' Park.

"The unfortunate thing for Forest is that there is no way they can keep him this summer, he has been that good," former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told Match of the Day.

"He is going to start for England at the World Cup, and he is going to have loads of suitors - the only question is where he will end up, not whether he will leave."

The Europa League defeat against Villa hurt the squad and Anderson struggled to make an impact having dominated Forest's first-leg 1-0 win.

It was their chance to end a 36-year silverware drought and reach a first major European final since the famous Brian Clough side managed successive European Cup wins in 1979 and 1980.

The squad needed a result to bounce back and, trailing to Harvey Barnes' goal, defeat loomed.

But Anderson took his moment - just his fourth goal of the season - to rescue a point with two minutes left that edged Forest to the brink of Premier League survival that was confirmed when Arsenal beat West Ham United.

Pereira added: "In the warm-up my assistants, my staff, said to me, 'Elliot is on fire today - every time he took a shot on goal, he scored'.

"The funeral of his mother was two days ago. He travelled to Newcastle, came back and I do not have words to thank him. I believe that he wanted to honour his mother with a goal.

"That's why he tried until the last minute to score a goal because this is how he found a way to go on the pitch and give everything - to play for him and to play for her."

'It's painful for us to take, but he's an outstanding player'

Anderson's strength of character will not come as a surprise to anyone connected with Newcastle.

Those who worked with him at the club were as struck by Anderson's mentality, work-rate and resilience as much as his undoubted ability.

Those were some of the reasons Howe did not want to sell the midfielder in the summer of 2024.

However, Newcastle needed to raise funds to avoid a breach of profit and sustainability rules following years of imbalanced trading.

The club's negotiating position was so desperate that there was no buy-back clause or sell-on clause included in the deal.

"It was something we regretted when we were doing it," Howe said after Sunday's game.

"We knew that would be a very painful transfer, one we had to do. We had no choice, but it was probably the most reluctant transfer I have ever done because we knew the quality of the player.

"We had seen him close up for a number of years training with us. He was beginning to break into the team."

That's why it has been so bittersweet for Howe and his staff to have seen the academy graduate flourish elsewhere.

He remains a firm favourite of Newcastle supporters, too, who even serenaded Anderson at one point at the City Ground.

However, by the closing stages, it was Forest supporters who were singing about their 'Geordie Maradona' following his late equaliser.

"It really hurts to see him doing that against us," Howe added.

"He's going to go on and have a fantastic career, wherever he goes, wherever his career takes him. He's a great lad as well.

"It's painful for us to take, but he's an outstanding player."