Nottingham Forest and AFC Bournemouth had to settle for a point on the opening day after a 1-1 draw at the City Ground. Chris Wood had his first half strike cancelled out by a late Antonine Semenyo goal as both sides couldn’t find an opening three points.
Nuno Espírito Santo didn’t hand any starts to any of the summer signings. Carlos Miguel, Elliot Anderson, Jota Silva and Eric Da Silva Moreira all got places on the bench whilst Nikola Milenkovic had a suspension carry over from Italy. Ramon Sosa, who signed the night before the game, wasn’t involved. Andoni Iraola gave a debut to Dean Hujisen with other signings Julian Araujo and Daniel Jebbison both on the bench. Big money signing Evanilson wasn’t involved.
Just six minutes in, Forest were forced into an early substitute. Midfielder Danilo was forced off on a stretcher after an awkward land and he was replaced by captain Ryan Yates, who signed a new contract in the summer.
Substitute Yates made a big impact as he was involved in opening the scoring for the Reds. The midfielder latching onto a bouncing ball and getting a shot away which was pushed away by Neto into the path of Wood who found the net. Last season’s top scorer getting off the mark and opening Forest’s account for the new season.
Anthony Elanga came close to doubling the lead a few minutes later. His low shot from the edge of the box well saved by Neto. The Reds looking very dangerous in the early stages.
Bournemouth then thought they found an equaliser. A smart corner routine saw the ball played back to taker Lewis Cook and his low ball in caused confusion and eventually fell to Dango Outtara who found the top corner. But after a VAR check it was deemed that Cook was offside when the ball was played back to him so it kept the score at 1-0.
That was it for the first half with Forest on the right side of the scoreline. A decent half from the Reds as they kept pushing for a goal but they still looked vulnerable from set pieces, an achilleas heal for Nuno’s side last season. Bournemouth struggled to create anything clear cut and were missing the presence of last seasons top scorer Dominic Solanke, who completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur over the summer.
It was Bournemouth with the first chance of the second half. Marcus Tavernier tested his luck from distance but his shot curled wide of the far post.
Forest almost doubled their advantage when Callum Hudson-Odoi’s corner was met by Willy Boly and his header was brilliantly saved by Neto. The defender scored in the Reds final home game of last season in a 3-2 defeat against Chelsea.
But Bournemouth did what they always do at the City Ground and scored late on. Substitute Ryan Christie breaking down the left and sending a low ball into the box which came for Semenyo after a failed clearance and he found the equaliser. The former Bristol City man scored eight goals last season and he got his campaign up and running at the City Ground.
That was the final action of the game with Bournemouth securing a late point. Forest with a poor second half as they couldn’t hold on to a first opening day win in the Premier League since promotion. The Reds travel to newly promoted Southampton next where they will look to start their away travels with a win. Bournemouth’s substitutes playing a key part in their triumph for a leveller as they cause Forest more late heartbreak. The Cherries next host Newcastle United in their first home game.
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