An entertaining encounter for Nuno Espirito Santo’s first game in charge of Nottingham Forest saw his side lose 3-2 at home to an inform Afc Bournemouth. Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood scored for the home side but a hat-trick by Dominic Solanke stoke the show as Bournemouth claimed a fourth straight away win.
Santo made two changes from the side that Steve Cooper fielded in his final game in charge against Tottenham Hotspur. Senegal pair Moussa Niakhate and Cheikhou Kouyate came out the side for forwards Wood and Divock Origi as the new head coach looked for an attacking side. Andoni Iraola made two changes from the side that started the cancelled match with Luton Town. Milos Kerkez and Justin Kluivert came out the side with Dango Ouattara and Philip Billing coming into the eleven.
It was Forest who came close early on. Origi making a central from the right before giving the ball to Anthony Elanga who turned and his shot was saved by Neto. Origi making his first home start for the Reds and was having an impact on the game.
A big moment in the game happened after 23 minutes as Forest went down to ten men. Willy Boly made a tackle but seemingly caught Adam Smith in the end and the defender received his second yellow card and was sent off. Forest furious as it looked like Boly won the ball but no VAR check could have been done as it was a second yellow.
The ten men having an impact on the game as Bournemouth almost took the lead. Ryan Christie on the right side of the box looked to send a cross in but it made its way on target and was brilliantly clawed out by Matt Turner just on the line. The American given another chance despite his mistake in the Tottenham defeat.
That was it for the first half as referee Rob Jones was given a large amount of abuse from the Forest faithful. Bournemouth since the red card were trying to double up the wide positions as they filled the box with crosses. Forest struggled since the sending off as they didn’t see much of the ball. Santo made a change at the break with Orel Mangala coming off for Callum Hudson-Odoi.
It was the side with ten men who got off to the perfect start as Forest took the lead just three minutes into the second half. Wood stole the ball off Alex Scott and poked it through to Elanga who opened his body up and found the far corner. The winger netting his fourth goal of the season and getting the first goal in the Nuno Espírito Santo era.
That lead was short lived as Bournemouth equalised four minutes later. Marcos Senesi sent a ball into the box which Solanke met with a header that looped over Turner and into the net. A man in serious form and who was always going to be a threat in the air, especially with no Boly on the pitch.
The away side then took the lead. A short corner routine saw Marcus Tavernier go short and eventually find his way into the box. The ball went up in the air but Forest couldn’t clear with the ball falling to Solanke to score from a few yards out. Poor defending from the home side as Bournemouth, like they did last season, came from behind to take the lead.
With 15 minutes to go, Forest found an equaliser through a rare occasion. Morgan Gibbs-White sent in a deep corner and Wood was there to head across goal and, with help from a deflection, found the back of the net. Even though there was a big deflection, Wood was given his fourth of the season with Forest showing they had fight in them.
They almost re took the lead five minutes after the equaliser. Gibbs-White with the ball on the left side of the box and his curling shot to the far post was cleared off the line by Outtara. Forest clearly building momentum from the equaliser.
The momentum was shattered in stoppage time as Bournemouth found the winning goal. Adam Smith with a cross from a deep position and Solanke got up highest and his header found the back of the net despite Turner getting a hand to it. The Englishman claiming the match ball as he picked up his 12th of the season to break Forest hearts so late in the game.
That was the final action of the game as Bournemouth keep up this incredible bit of form. The Cherries have now won five of their last six games as todays result moves them to 11th in the table. They next host Fulham on a Boxing Day clash and will look to keep up their form. A much improved performance by Forest despite the defeat and having ten men for a large percentage of the game. Forest remain 17th but are only two points clear. The Reds travel to Newcastle United on Boxing Day where Nuno will be looking to get his first win in charge.
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