Nottm Forest 1 Brentford 1
Steve Cooper’s side faced Brentford at the City Ground, looking to turn their home ground back into a venue that is a tricky place for sides to visit. Nottingham Forest have only managed to beat Sheff Utd at home this season and know they need to start gaining more points in front of their own fans.
Anthony Elanga showed some pace down the right wing, managing to get to the byline and win a corner for the hosts. The delivery from Hudson-Odoi was flicked on and slotted in at the back post by Awoniyi but the flag immediately went up for offside.
As VAR reviewed the incident it took a little longer than usual after the controversy in the game the previous day, where the officials were shown to be more of a comedy troop than anything else as they disallowed a perfectly good goal, communicating like four individuals who all spoke different languages.
They finally got to the right decision which was that the Forest striker was offside when the ball was flicked on to the back post. Although the whole process was like getting a child to recheck their workings when you have looked at their homework as you know 2 + 2 does not equal 22.
Credit: @BrentfordFC
Brentford were seeing all the possession but could not do anything with it. Jensen then dinked a ball into the box to find Janelt but his effort was well saved. As Forest tried to clear it, the ball fizzed across the six yard box, with Wissa completely missing it with an open goal to aim for.
Thomas Frank’s side are missing Ivan Toney so much this season as they try to stumble through to January when his ban is over. They have not brought in a replacement and have the attacking threat of a cartoon unicorn as a result this season.
As the second half started, Turner dwelled with the ball at his feet and Wissa nicked the ball off him before the keeper rather brutally kicked the player. VAR reviewed it and decided no penalty. So it took all of 45 minutes for the review process to get back to its incompetent best.
Wissa was then hacked down by Niakhate who then stood on the Brentford player’s Achilles and the referee was quick to award a second yellow card which was quickly followed by a red taking the hosts down to ten men.
Jensen clipped the free kick into the box and Norgaard had a free header as he beat Turner to give the visitors the lead. It was a poor effort by the keeper who got to it but showed all the strength in his hands and wrists of someone with severe osteoporosis.
The goal seemed to spark Steve Cooper’s side into life as Toffolo’s cross was met by the head of Dominguez whose header looped over Flekken to make it 1-1. The City Ground erupted as their side drew level after only seven minutes of being behind.
Credit: @NFFC
Mbuemo burst through on the counter-attack as Forest attacked and as the Brentford player seemed set to score, a sliding tackle from Gibbs-White blocked the effort. Olakigbe then gambled when a cross did not seem to go out in the corner when the Forest defence had gone to sleep.
He managed to retrieve it, cut inside and shoot with his effort having beaten Turner in the Forest goal. Fortunately for the hosts, Murillo was on the line to hack clear, although it nearly struck the back of his keeper and flew into the net as it deflected behind for a corner.
Forest managed to dig deep and keep the visitors out as they looked dead on their feet with only ten men but will take a point from a game they fell behind in. For Brentford, it was the same issues again, creating half-chances in the final third but crying out for somebody who can finish in front of goal.
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