Huddersfield Town may well see the funny side of Nottingham Forest controversy: View | OneFootball

Huddersfield Town have endured a difficult season in the Championship, with Saturday's defeat to Swansea City deepening their relegation fears.

But the outcome of recent campaigns could have been so much different, suffering a narrow defeat to Nottingham Forest in the play-off final two years ago with a return to the Premier League within their grasp.

The Terriers were not helped by decisions going against them during the tie at Wembley, but may feel slightly better about their opponents that day and their recent coming together with the technology that has meant to improve officiating in the modern game.

Nottingham Forest controversy against Everton explained

While the relegation battle in the Championship is continuing to twist and turn as the season reaches its conclusion, it is also happening in the Premier League.

Ahead of Forest's clash with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, just two points separated three teams following Luton Town's 5-1 defeat to Brentford the day before, with the stakes for both sides at an all-time high on Merseyside.

But the visitors would leave empty-handed as long-range strikes from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil secured the Toffee's an important three points, but the game wasn't without its controversy.

During the contest, Nuno Espírito Santo's side felt they should have had three penalties, all of which were waved away by referee, Anthony Taylor.

Each incident involved defender Ashley Young, the first involving a kick on Giovani Reyna inside the penalty area, followed by a potential handball as Callum Hudson-Odoi looked to play the ball back into the danger area.

The final incident came in the second half, with Young involved once more as he tangled with Hudson-Odoi inside the area, with the former Chelsea forward's protests falling on deaf ears.

This prompted a post on social media by the club's official account, slamming the refereeing display and VAR officials, insisting that they would now consider their options.

Forest have since requested the PGMOL to release the audio from all three incidents during their encounter with Everton, with it reported that the club's wish has been granted.

The result leaves Forest still outside the relegation zone, heading into the final four games of their season with a point advantage over the Hatters.

Huddersfield will see the funny side of Nottingham Forest's misfortune

While Huddersfield continue to have full focus on their battle to stay in the Championship, they may see the funny side of the controversy surrounding the side who beat them in the 2021/22 play-off final in similar circumstances.

During their encounter with Forest, the Terriers had two appeals for a penalty turned away by Jon Moss, even with the help of VAR, which upon further inspection, showed that the Reds were extremely lucky that none were given.

Harry Toffolo, who joined the East Midlands club the following season, appeared to be brought down inside the penalty area by Jack Colback, but was instead given a yellow card for diving, much to the dismay of his team-mates.

And with seven minutes remaining, Huddersfield had more appeals for a spot-kick when Lewis O'Brien was clumsily bundled over by Max Lowe, an incident that was not even checked by VAR.

Ironically, former referee Mark Clattenberg, who now works for the Premier League club as a referee analyst, agreed with the on-field decisions made that afternoon when writing his column for the Daily Mail, believing both incidents were 'inconclusive'.

While those decisions two years ago are irreversible, Huddersfield will take some satisfaction from seeing a side who benefitted from refereeing decisions in a big game be the side on the wrong end of them having scraped past them under the Wembley arch.

However, it further highlights the downfall of the Terriers in recent seasons.

Two seasons ago they were fighting for a place in the Premier League, but in over two weeks' time, could find themselves preparing for a League One campaign.