In injury time, Dominic Solanke of Bournemouth completes a hat-trick, dealing Nuno Espirito Santo a defeat in his debut game as Nottingham Forest’s manager.
The former managers of Wolves and Tottenham, Nuno Espirito Santo, took charge on Wednesday following Steve Cooper’s departure, who was sacked after the team’s fifth defeat in six games.
Despite Chris Wood’s 74th-minute equalizer giving Forest hope, Dominic Solanke had the final say at the City Ground, scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure Bournemouth’s third consecutive victory.
The first half was filled with drama as Willy Boly received a red card after just 23 minutes, and Forest was controversially denied a penalty. Despite the setback, Anthony Elanga, fueled by the home crowd’s support, put Forest ahead after the break. However, Solanke quickly turned the tables, scoring twice in seven minutes.
Solanke once again rescued the Cherries by canceling out Wood’s equalizer, securing all three points. The defeat leaves Forest just two points clear of the relegation zone, with Luton Town, having a game in hand, claiming a 1-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday.
Nuno’s return to the English top flight took a dramatic turn when Boly, previously booked for a cynical trip on Solanke, received a second yellow card for a challenge on Adam Smith. Although Boly, who had played under Nuno at Wolves, seemed to get the ball, referee Robert Jones deemed the Ivory Coast defender’s follow-through too forceful.
The City Ground crowd expressed their displeasure with boos, and tensions escalated as another refereeing decision went against the hosts. The video assistant referee (VAR) couldn’t confirm whether Smith was in the penalty area when the ball struck his outstretched arm.
Boos and chants were directed at Jones as he left the field at halftime, and during the break, the club posted online, expressing their disappointment, stating they had been “let down badly by awful decisions again”.
Nuno’s Nottingham reign starts with defeat
Forest announced the dismissal of manager Cooper on Tuesday following a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham four days prior. Cooper, a well-loved figure among Forest fans, had notably secured their promotion to the top flight in 2022 after a 23-year absence.
Despite any disappointment from the supporters regarding Cooper’s departure, they warmly welcomed his successor and passionately supported the team throughout a spirited match. Frustration over refereeing decisions boiled over in the stands, and the eruption continued as Elanga, assisted by Wood, skillfully placed his strike beyond Neto’s reach right after halftime.
Even after Solanke’s quick-fire double, the home support remained vocal, and Wood’s equalizer further lifted their spirits. Nuno, not settling for a single point, urged his side to press for a winner, but it was Solanke who ultimately secured all three points for Bournemouth.
The road doesn’t get easier for Nottingham Forest as they continue their quest for a first win since the beginning of November, facing a trip to Newcastle on Tuesday.
Superb Solanke strikes again
Solanke has nearly doubled his goal tally from last season in the Premier League, where he scored only six goals in 33 appearances. In the current season, he has already netted 11 goals, placing him joint third in the league’s scoring charts alongside Jarrod Bowen of West Ham and Tottenham’s Son Heung-min.
As the leading figure in Andoni Iraola’s attacking lineup, the former Liverpool striker is instrumental in Bournemouth’s push towards the top half of the table. Prior to his hat-trick on Saturday, Solanke posed a threat on the counter, earning Willy Boly’s first yellow card and narrowly missing the target with a shot that hit the side netting.
His two well-executed looping headers over goalkeeper Matt Turner showcased his aerial prowess, and for his second goal, he found himself in the right place at the right time, capitalizing on a loose ball while remaining unmarked.
Iraola’s team is set to face Fulham on Tuesday before heading to Tottenham on New Year’s Eve.