Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo characterized his team’s draw with Wolves as “a squandered opportunity” to extend their lead to three points above the Premier League relegation zone.
Despite goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Danilo propelling Forest to a 2-1 advantage at the City Ground following Matheus Cunha’s exceptional solo effort to break the deadlock, the Brazilian’s second-half equalizer leaves Nuno’s side just one point ahead of 18th-placed Luton, who suffered a 5-1 defeat against Manchester City on Saturday.
Forest will face Everton in a crucial away fixture next weekend, while Luton will host Brentford at home.
“We were the better team today and should have won the game,” Nuno told BBC Match of the Day.
“We did not allow many chances, but the ones we did allow we defended badly. Offensively we were good – it’s not easy to play against a back five with little spaces.
“But we created enough chances to win the game. It’s going to be a fight until the end of the season and we’re here to give it our all.”
Wolves forward Cunha, making his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in early February, stunned the home fans with a goal of the highest quality late in the first half.
Darting from within his own half to the cusp of the Forest penalty area, Cunha maneuvered past Andrew Omobamidele and Ryan Yates before unleashing an unstoppable strike past goalkeeper Matz Sels into the top corner.
Former Wolves midfielder Gibbs-White swiftly equalized for Forest just six minutes later, nodding in Giovanni Reyna’s corner during first-half stoppage time and jubilantly acknowledging the traveling supporters.
In the second half, Nuno’s team surged ahead as Danilo unleashed a low shot from close range, beating Jose Sa with precision. However, Cunha capitalized on a loose ball from a corner to clinch a point for Gary O’Neil’s squad, who remain positioned just outside the top half of the table.
A point gained or two dropped for Forest?
Forest are still awaiting an appeal date for their four-point penalty regarding profit and sustainability issues, yet their prospects of Premier League survival remain within their control despite failing to preserve their second-half advantage at the City Ground.
The home side displayed early dominance, with Yates seeing a shot deflected wide from the edge of the penalty area and Hudson-Odoi curling over the crossbar from a similar position.
Reyna, the United States international making his debut start after joining on loan from Borussia Dortmund, also came close, narrowly missing the target after intercepting Semedo’s loose pass near the box.
Nuno might have been frustrated by his team’s defensive lapses leading to Cunha’s opener, as Omobamidele and Yates were unable to halt the Brazilian’s advance into the penalty area.
However, after Gibbs-White’s equalizer and Danilo’s subsequent strike, Forest took the lead for the first time. Doherty’s unintended deflection diverted the ball into Danilo’s path as he drilled it home.
Their advantage was short-lived, with Cunha capitalizing on Sels’ parry from Gomes’ header to level the score from close range.
Forest have now relinquished 50 Premier League points from winning positions since the start of the previous season, the highest among all teams.
Whether this result represents a point gained or two lost will only be evident at the season’s conclusion.
Four games without victory for Wolves
Wolves have enjoyed a commendable season under O’Neil, but their recent four-game winless streak in the league, a first in the 2023-24 campaign, has put their season in jeopardy of losing momentum.
They faced early pressure but came close to capitalizing on a defensive error when Yates inadvertently passed to Gomes inside the Forest box. Murillo cleared Gomes’ shot off the line, with Sarabia missing the target on the rebound.
Gibbs-White’s equalizer, arriving just six minutes after Cunha’s stunning strike, extends Wolves’ streak without a clean sheet to six away league matches, their last shutout coming in a goalless draw against Brighton in late January.
Forest’s second goal highlighted defensive frailties from Wolves, with Doherty unintentionally setting up Danilo after an exchange with Gibbs-White.
Despite Forest looking more likely to secure a late winner after Cunha’s second goal, O’Neil’s side managed to hold on for a draw.
With three consecutive home fixtures scheduled for late April, O’Neil and his squad will aim to bounce back to winning form before the month’s end.