Hudson-Odoi nets twice as Nottingham Forest boosts survival hopes with 3-1 win over Sheffield United

SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Callum Hudson-Odoi scored twice and Nottingham Forest took a big step toward Premier League survival with a 3-1 win over Sheffield United coupled with Burnley’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle on Saturday.

The victory at Bramall Lane kept Forest one spot above the drop zone and moved Nuno Espirito Santo’s team three points ahead of Luton and five points in front of Burnley — with two games remaining.

Hudson-Odoi equalized with a curling shot from the left side into the far corner in the 27th minute after former Forest striker Ben Brereton Diaz struck from the penalty spot for already relegated United.

Ryan Yates gave Forest a 2-1 lead when he rifled in a shot following a free kick six minutes after the break.

Hudson-Odoi gave his team a two-goal cushion in the 65th with a shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner.

Luton drew 1-1 with Everton on Friday.

Forest, which absorbed a four-point deduction in March for overspending, hosts Chelsea next Saturday before playing at Burnley in the season finale.

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Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, right, gestures after a collision with his teammate Murillo, during the English Premier League soccer match between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, at Bramall Lane, in Sheffield, England, Saturday May 4, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

Sheffield United's Cameron Archer, left, vies for the ball with Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, during the English Premier League soccer match between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, at Bramall Lane, in Sheffield, England, Saturday May 4, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

Nottingham Forest's Gonzalo Montiel, left, fouls Sheffield United's Ben Brereton Diaz in the penalty area, which resulted in a penalty to Sheffield United, during the English Premier League soccer match between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, at Bramall Lane, in Sheffield, England, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

Sheffield United's Ben Brereton Diaz celebrates scoring the first goal of the game, during the English Premier League soccer match between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, at Bramall Lane, in Sheffield, England, Saturday May 4, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

Sheffield United's Ben Brereton Diaz celebrates scoring the first goal of the game, during the English Premier League soccer match between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, at Bramall Lane, in Sheffield, England, Saturday May 4, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

Nottingham Forest's Callum Hudson-Odoi, left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal of the game, during the English Premier League soccer match between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, at Bramall Lane, in Sheffield, England, Saturday May 4, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

PEZINOK, Slovakia (AP) — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico ’s condition was stable but serious Saturday as the man accused of trying to assassinate him faced his first court appearance.

Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova said two-hour surgery Friday to remove dead tissue from multiple gunshot wounds “contributed to a positive prognosis” for Fico.

Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said his condition still makes it impossible to transport him to the capital, Bratislava.

The update on Fico’s condition came as the man accused of attempting to assassinate him made his first court appearance Saturday, Slovak state media said.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

PEZINOK, Slovakia (AP) — The man accused of attempting to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made his first court appearance Saturday as the nation’s leader remained in serious condition recovering from surgery after surviving multiple gunshots, Slovak state media said.

Fico, 59, was attacked as he greeted supporters following a government meeting Wednesday in the former coal mining town of Handlova. The suspect was tackled to the ground and arrested.

Prosecutors are seeking an order from Slovakia’s Specialized Criminal Court to detain the suspect.

Prosecutors told police not to publicly identify the suspect or release other details about the case, but unconfirmed media reports said he was a 71-year-old retiree known as an amateur poet who may have once worked as a mall security guard in the country’s southwest.

Government authorities gave details that matched that description. They said the suspect didn’t belong to any political groups, though the attack itself was politically motivated.

The courthouse in Pezinok, a small town outside the capital, Bratislava, was guarded by officers wearing balaclavas and carrying rifles. News media were not allowed in the courthouse and reporters were kept behind a gate outside.

Police on Friday had taken the suspect to his home in the town of Levice and seized a computer and some documents, Markiza, a Slovak television station reported. Police didn’t comment.

Fico underwent another round of surgery Friday to remove dead tissue from his body, said Miriam Lapuníková, director of the University F. D. Roosevelt hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Fico was taken by helicopter after he was shot.

He also underwent a CT scan and was awake and stable in an intensive care unit. She described his condition as “very serious.”

World leaders have condemned the attack and offered support for Fico and Slovakia.

Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. His return to power last year on a pro-Russia, anti-American platform led to worries among fellow European Union and NATO members that he would abandon his country’s pro-Western course, particularly on Ukraine.

At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Slovakia was one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters, but Fico halted arms deliveries to Ukraine when he returned to power, his fourth time serving as prime minister.

Fico’s government has also made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting — a move critics said would give the government full control of public television and radio. That, coupled with his plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor, have led opponents to worry that Fico will lead Slovakia down a more autocratic path.

Thousands of demonstrators have repeatedly rallied in the capital and around the country of 5.4 million to protest his policies.

Fico said last month on Facebook that he believed rising tensions in the country could lead to the killing of politicians, and he blamed the media for fueling tensions.

Before Fico returned to power last year, many of his political and business associates were the focus of police investigations, and dozens have been charged.

His plan to overhaul the penal system would eliminate the office of the special prosecutor that deals with organized crime, corruption and extremism.

Journalists gather as they wait for the suspect, in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, to be brought to court in Pezinok, Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Officials in Slovakia say Prime Minister Robert Fico has undergone another operation two days after his assassination attempt and remains in serious condition. (AP Photo/Tomas Benedikovic)

Policemen guard the area as they wait for the suspect, in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, to be brought to court in Pezinok, Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Officials in Slovakia say Prime Minister Robert Fico has undergone another operation two days after his assassination attempt and remains in serious condition. (AP Photo/Tomas Benedikovic)

Policemen guard the area as convoy brings the suspect, in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, to court in Pezinok, Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Officials in Slovakia say Prime Minister Robert Fico has undergone another operation two days after his assassination attempt and remains in serious condition. (AP Photo/Tomas Benedikovic)

FILE - Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a press conference with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. A man charged with attempting to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was escorted by police to his home on the morning of Friday, May 17, 2024, with media saying that it was part of a search for evidence. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, File)

Policemen guard the area as convoy brings the suspect, in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, to court in Pezinok, Slovakia, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Officials in Slovakia say Prime Minister Robert Fico has undergone another operation two days after his assassination attempt and remains in serious condition. (AP Photo/Tomas Benedikovic)