Chris Wood scored an 89th 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 89th 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.
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