Match Report: Manchester United 3-2 Nottingham Forest. Reds blow 2-0 lead.

 

Manchester United came from behind to beat ten man Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford. Goals from Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes completed the turn around for Erik Ten Hag's men after early goals by Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly for the away side.

Ten Hag made three changes to his side that suffered defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. Luke Shaw and Mason Mount were lost through injury and were replaced by Diogo Dalot and Eriksen. Alejandro Garnacho was put on the bench as Anthony Martial lead the line. Steve Cooper made two changes to his side that scraped past Sheffield United at the City Ground last week. Orel Mangala was not involved in the match day squad as he dropped out with Neco Williams. Ryan Yates took the Belgian's place with Ola Aina returning from injury to replace Williams.

Like they did against the Blades, Forest got off to the perfect start after two minutes. Morgan Gibbs-White headed on a clearance and sent Awoniyi through one on one with Andre Onana. The forward composed himself and rolled the ball past the former Ajax goal keeper to give Forest the lead. The Nigerian netting in his seventh straight league game which sees him join Mohamed Salah and Emmanuel Adebayor in holding the record for an African player scoring in consecutive Premier League games. A man really on form for the Reds.

That perfect start got even better just two minutes later as Boly doubled the lead for the away side. A Gibbs-White free kick from the right side was met by the defender to net his second goal for Forest since joining from Wolves last summer. A real shock at Old Trafford with just four minutes on the clock with United falling apart.

With 16 minutes played, the hosts began their comeback. Marcus Rashford picked up the ball on the left side following a Matt Turner save and played the ball across the goal to be tapped home by Eriksen from close range. A goal that rewarded United's pressure after going 2-0 behind as they got back into the game.

Forest could of then got a third goal to restore their two goal advantage. Johnson did well to spin away from two players and played a low ball to Gibbs-White who's first time effort was blocked by Forest man Awoniyi. The striker in the wrong place at the wrong time for once as if he wasn't there the ball could of found the back of the net.

It was Forest that went into the break in front but were struggling to build on their lead. The Reds were sitting deep for the majority of the first half trying to protect their lead which meant United saw a lot of the ball and amount pressure on the Forest goal. There was a substitute at the interval by the home side as Victor Lindelof replaced Raphael Varane with the Frenchman struggling to deal with Awoniyi.

Seven minutes into the second half, the home side levelled a game. A free kick routine saw Fernandes drill a ball across to Rashford who looped the ball back to the captain who made a run in behind and he headed across for Casemiro to finish from close range. A well worked routine from United that was helped by poor defending from Forest as the Brazilian midfielder opened his account for the season to level the game.

A save from Matt Turner denied United a quick double. Antony cutting in from the right side and his left footed shot from distance was tipped round the post by the USA international. The keeper making quite the impression since joining from Arsenal in the summer.

Forest were then reduced to ten men as captain Joe Worrall was shown a straight red card. A ball sent over the top sent Fernandes chasing and Worrall pulled him down as he was just getting to the ball and the referee deemed it denial of a clear scoring opportunity. VAR did check the incident but they had no reason to overturn the decision.

Forest's afternoon then got even worse as Danilo gave away a penalty after a foul on Rashford on the left side of the box. Fernandes stood up to the penalty and converted from twelve yards to complete the comeback for the Red Devils. The penalty decision was thought to be a very harsh one by pundits and many fans who saw the incident with contact being very minimal with Danilo also pleading his innocence.

Boly saw a volley saved by Onana late on but other then that Forest struggled to create any clear chances despite pushing for a late equaliser as Manchester United walked away with the three points. A brilliant comeback by Ten Hag's men with this victory easing those that had questioned United's start to the season. It is a tough test up next for United as they travel to the Emirates to face a good Arsenal side who will want to be fighting for top spot again. Despite the scoreline capitulation, it was another encouraging away performance by Cooper's side after causing another top side some problems. The Reds next game is in the Carabao Cup as they host fellow Premier League side Burnley as they will be looking for another cup run after last seasons semi final heartache.

Match Report: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sheffield United. Late Wood goal earns Reds first win of the season.

 

Chris Wood scored an 89^th minute winner to secure Nottingham Forest their first three points of the season after beating newly promoted Sheffield United 2-1 at The City Ground. His goal cancelled out a Gustavo Hamer equaliser after an early strike from Taiwo Awoniyi as Forest kept up their good home form from last season.

Steve Cooper made two changes to his side that lost 2-1 at Arsenal. Ola Aina, not in the squad, was replaced by Neco Williams and Ryan Yates dropped to the bench and was replaced by Awoniyi. Anthony Elanga remained on the bench despite his promising cameo in the Arsenal defeat. Paul Heckingbottom made two changes from his side that lost to Crystal Palace on the opening day. George Baldock and Chris Basham came out the side for Vinicius Souza and Hamer to come in for their first Premier League starts since arriving to the Blades in the Summer. There was also four former Forest players in the Blademen line up which included Jack Robinson, Anel Ahmedhodzic, Ben Osborn and Max Lowe.

Forest got off to the perfect start as they took the lead after just three minutes. Lowe missed the ball in the middle of the pitch and Johnson picked it up. The Welshman drove the ball out wide before playing it back to Serge Aurier who's cross was headed in by Awoniyi. A second goal of the season for the Nigerian who has now scored eight goals in his last six league games and is becoming a massive asset to Steve Cooper's side.

The Blades went close ten minutes before half time. Osborn's low cross was half cleared by Danilo and the ball came out for Souza who shot from the edge of the box but Matt Turner made a good save up high to his left.

A quiet first half came to an end with Forest in front. The Reds dominated the early stages but the side from Yorkshire were slowly growing into the game. There was a half time substitute from the visitors as Lowe, who was struggling on his return to The City Ground, was replaced by former Liverpool youngster Yasser Larouci.

Just like Forest did in the first half, Sheffield United scored just three minutes after the restart. A corner was cleared only as far as an unmarked Hamer on the edge of the box and he curled the ball into the top right corner to bring the Blades level. A first goal on his Premier League debut after arriving from Championship side Coventry City in the summer and he is already living up to big expectations.

The visitors came close to completing the turn around just three minutes later. Yet again, Forest struggled to clear the ball and it dropped to Souza on the edge of the box and his first time shot went just wide. A feeling of Deja vu for fans in the stadium as the game was playing out very similar to the play off semi final just over a year ago.

The Blades then had a golden opportunity to take the lead. A lack of communication from defenders Joe Worrall and Scott Mckenna saw them go up for the same ball. This sent Benie Traore through one on one but it was Turner who came out on top as he made a great save to deny the forward. Forest were let off and were struggling to deal with the Blades long ball tactic.

Then in the 89^th minute, Forest won the game. The Reds were pushing for a goal and Wood managed to get on the end of another excellent delivery by Aurier to head home the winner in front of the Trent End. Only his second Forest goal but he seems to score the important ones as he netted the equaliser against Manchester City last season.

That goal proved to be the last action of the game as Cooper's men picked up their first victory of the season. Premier League life proving difficult for Sheffield United after losing their opening two games of the season. Despite the loss, the Blades will be happy with their performance as they put Forest under pressure for large parts of the second half. The Blades next host champions Manchester City. A big first win for Forest and one they needed considering the teams they face away from home over the next few week. Awoniyi causing a lot of problems for defenders and if he is lucky with injuries, he could be in for a great season. The Reds next travel to Old Trafford to face top four side Manchester United.

Match Report- Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest. Gunners seal opening day victory.

 

Arsenal will be hoping to challenge for the Premier League title and they got of to the perfect start after beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. First half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka got the North London side over the line despite a late goal by Forest substitute Taiwo Awoniyi.

Mikel Arteta handed new signings Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz, and Declan Rice their first league starts since arriving in the capital this summer. Brazilian defender Gabriel was left on the bench despite being a key figure in Arsenal's title charge last campaign. Steve Cooper gave two of his three new signings their first start. Matt Turner, who arrived from Arsenal on Wednesday, started between the sticks and Ola Aina started at left wing back. £15 million man Anthony Elanga got a place on the substitute bench. There was also a spot on the bench for midfielder Lewis O'Brien following his loan at DC United last season.

It was the visitors who had the first big chance of the game. A header from Willy Boly looped over the Arsenal defence and set Brennan Johnson through on goal but the young forward could only put his shot wide. The Welshman keen to push on after a successful first season in the top flight and was close to opening his account.

The hosts then took the lead after 26 minutes. Gabriel Martinelli was causing Forest problems down the left side and he was involved in the goal. The Brazilian managed to spin away from two Forest players on the left side of the box while passing across to Nketiah in one move for the Englishman to convert into the far corner. The academy graduate opening his account for the new season and was stepping up in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.

It was 2-0 just six minutes later and it was another academy graduate in Saka who made it two. Morgan Gibbs-White gave away the ball in the corner of the Forest half and the ball was passed across to Saka who curled the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box. The England international looking to improve his tally of 14 goals in the league last season and he got underway in the perfect way. Seems Forest have not got out the habit of capitulating once conceding a first.

New signing Declan Rice came close to making it 3-0. The former West Ham captain had time and space on the edge of the box so he had a go but was denied by recently departed teammate Turner. Forest really struggling to even get out their own half as Arsenal were seeing a lot of the ball.

That was it for the first half and it was looking like it was going to be a long afternoons for Steve Cooper's men. Arsenals relentless pressing causing the Reds to go long which ultimately lost them the ball. Arsenal seemingly not losing their touch from last season and their new signings looking like they have been at the club for ages.

The second half was fairly quiet until the 80^th minute and Turner made a brilliant save to deny Rice again. Saka's cross bounced all the way through to him and his volley was brilliantly saved by Turner up high to his left. The USA international doing really well to keep the score down against his former side.

Forest then opened the game up by scoring their first goal of the season. Substitute Elanga was subbed on for his debut and ran the length of the pitch with the ball before pulling the ball across to fellow substitute Taiwo Awoniyi to convert from close range. The Nigerian scoring the Reds first goal of the season for a second straight season and giving Arsenal a nervy end.

Despite Forest mounting pressure on in the late stages, Arsenal hung on and got their first victory of the season. A big improvement in performance from Forest in the second half with Elanga impressing the travelling support on his debut. Arsenal will be disappointed that they was not able to build on their lead and to keep a clean sheet. A clean sheet was not as easy to come by last season as you would of thought with the club finishing second. Next up for the Gunners is a trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace in an evening kick off in South London. Forest will be hoping to get a few incomings over the line before they host Sheffield United on Friday night with the club seemingly interested in bringing in a centre half. Elanga will be looking to start following his impressive end to the game at the Emirates.