Nottingham Forest fell to a third successive defeat as they suffered a second half collapse to lose 3-2 to Bournemouth.
Cheikhou Kouyate and Brennan Johnson had put the hosts in the driving seat at half-time. But the Cherries staged a comeback after the break to take all three points.
The hosts were well on top in the first half, seeing plenty of the ball and looking bright pushing forward. Clearcut chances took a while to come by, but the Reds were well worthy of their 2-0 lead at the break.
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Kouyate put them in front with 33 minutes played. Having, at one point, looked as though he might be forced off through injury, the midfielder was on hand to net a towering header from Morgan Gibbs-White’s corner.
The lead was then doubled on the stroke of half-time. There was a lengthy VAR check after a handball was given when Lloyd Kelly blocked Neco Williams’ shot, with referee Michael Oliver checking the penalty decision on his monitor.
Any delay didn’t bother Johnson, though. Goalkeeper Neto dived the right way, but the Wales international’s spot-kick flew right past him.
Just when Forest seemed to be in control, Bournemouth reduced the deficit a few minutes into the second half. Philip Billing hit a rocket from distance to make it 2-1 with 51 minutes gone.
That lifted the visitors, and with the Reds looking nervy, Dominic Solanke equalised with an acrobatic effort from a corner just past the hour. And it got a whole lot worse for the hosts when Jaidon Anthony grabbed a late winner. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Dean Henderson: Was let down by some poor defending as the Reds collapsed. Not a lot he could do about the first two goals, particularly. Rating: 5/10
Joe Worrall: Back line was all over the place in the second half. Had been untroubled until that point, but errors began to creep in. Rating: 4.5/10
Steve Cook: Forest suddenly looked very nervy in defence as soon as the Cherries pulled one back. A game for the Reds to forget against his former club. Rating: 4.5/10
Scott McKenna: Not too often he makes mistakes, but a short back-pass led to Bournemouth’s winner. Won’t want to watch that one back. Rating: 4.5/10
Neco Williams: Had some really positive moments in the first half, winning the penalty with a driven shot. Second half was a different story all round, though. Rating: 5.5/10
Ryan Yates: Can’t fault his effort, but a question mark over the midfield balance. In the second half particularly, there wasn’t the dynamism Forest needed. Rating: 5/10
Cheikhou Kouyate: Looked uncomfortable when he seemed to go down with an injury. No signs of it bothering him when he bagged his first goal for the club with a towering header, though. Covered so much ground. Rating: 5.5/10
Renan Lodi: Showed promise. Likes to get forward and offered a useful outlet. The second 45 minutes were staggering to watch all round, however. Rating: 5.5/10
Brennan Johnson: Ice-cold from the spot, despite having to wait an age to take his penalty. Quiet after the break, when the Reds were most in need of inspiration. Rating: 5/10
Jesse Lingard: Involved in some nice link-up play when Forest were on top in the first half. Gave the ball away cheaply in the build-up to Bournemouth’s first, though. Rating: 5/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: The most likely to create something for the hosts. Peach of a corner for Kouyate’s goal and looked a threat when he had the ball at his feet. Rating: 5.5/10
Subs
Taiwo Awoniyi (for Lingard, 67mins): Missed a great chance to equalise right at the death. Rating: 5/10
Jack Colback (for Kouyate, 76mins): Brought on to try to steady the ship, but there was no turning this one around. Rating: 5/10
Emmanuel Dennis (for Johnson, 85mins): Little chance to really make an impact as Forest fell to defeat. Rating: 5/10
Subs not used: Hennessey, Biancone, O’Brien, Toffolo, Freuler, Boly.
Who was your man of the match? Have your say in the comments below
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