Nottingham Forest threw away a 1-0 lead late on as they drew 1-1 with relegation rivals Luton Town at Kenilworth Road in a key encounter in the Premier League relegation battle. Chris Wood’s first half strike was cancelled out by a Luke Berry equaliser just before stoppage time as Forest miss a chance to build a gap between them and today’s opponents.
Rob Edwards made one change from his side that capitulated against Bournemouth in the week. Daiki Hashioka came out the defence as Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu came in and stepped into midfield which saw Issa Kabore drop to a deeper defensive role. Nuno Espírito Santo made three changes from the side that lost at Brighton & Hove Albion. Andrew Omobamidele came out the side after his own goal and was replaced by Willy Boly. Danilo and Nicolas Dominguez also came out the side and we’re replaced by Anthony Elanga and Ibrahim Sangare as the Reds switched up the formation.
It was Luton who came close first. Carlton Morris brought the ball down for Jordan Clark to have an attempt from the edge of the box but his low shot was saved well by Selz as Luton looked to start off on the front foot.
It was Forest turn to then come close. Anthony Elanga sent a ball right side to Divock Origi and his shot beat Thomas Kaminski but was blocked on the line by Reece Burke. Origi struggling to find that finishing touch with just one goal to his name in all competitions since joining on loan in the summer.
Forest then took a vital lead and it was Wood on his second game since returning from injury. Gibbs-White from the right side of the box sent the ball across into a perfect position for Wood to score from close range. The Forest top scorer having an instant impact on his return and has kept up his scoring form from before his injury.
The home side then thought they were level. Alfie Doughty’s corner was met by Teden Mengi who scrambled in from close range but it was deemed that the former Derby County defender used his hand in the process and the goal was instantly disallowed. Despite the goal being disallowed, it showed Forest’s vulnerability from set pieces in which could be key for a Luton goal.
That was it for the first half with Forest going in 1-0 up. A big lead for the Reds in the relegation six pointer despite a very sloppy start to proceedings in Luton. The home side saw chances come but not much troubled goalkeeper Selz and a big second half was needed by the Hatters if they wanted to leave the relegation zone. There was a half time substitute from Luton as Cauley Woodrow replaced Doughty.
Forest started the second half off brightly when Wood and Elanga played a one-two and the latter got his shot off and past Kaminski but again was cleared off the line again this time by Mengi. The young Englishman becoming a hero for Edward’s side to keep them in the game
Then a moment of madness almost saw Murillo score one of the goals of the season. A free kick from his own half had Kaminski back peddling towards goal and the former Blackburn Rovers keeper just about tipped over the bar. Murillo is still without a goal for Forest and that would have been some way to get his first.
With just a minute to go until stoppage time, Luton equalised. A Ross Barkley corner was headed down into the path of substitute Berry who swept home inside the box to claim a late leveller. A big goal in the relegation battle with Berry netting his first goal of the season and to give Forest more late heartbreak.
That was the final action of the game as both sides had to settle for a point in a big relegation battle. The gap between the sides stays at three points with Luton sat 18th and Forest just above them. The Hatters travel to Tottenham Hotspur next with Forest hosting Crystal Palace after the international break. With Forest points deduction looming, it will be an interesting end of the season for both these sides in the battle for survival.
No comments:
Post a Comment