- The Reds lose 2-1 to The Cherries
- More 25,000 at The City Ground for the first home league match in front of supporters for nearly 18 months
Forest took to the field at a picture perfect City Ground to be welcomed by a large crowd who paid their respects before kick off to supporters who had lost their lives over recent months.
After last week’s league defeat at Coventry, Tobias Figuierdo returned to the centre of the defence to replace the injured Loic Mbe Soh and The Reds gave league debuts to Philip Zinckernagel and Jordi Oesi-Tutu, who slotted in at left back.
Jordan Gabriel kept his place at right back and Tyrese Fornah and Fin Back were both on the bench after eye-catching debuts in midweek against Bradford.
Forest were attacking the Bridgford End and almost immediately Brennan Johnson was fouled just outside the box but Zinckernagel curled his free kick over the bar.
Forest were putting Scott Parker’s men on the back foot early on with Zinckernagel heavily involved but two further free kicks in dangerous positions came to nothing after good with by Oesi-Tutu and then Joe Lolley.
The referee booked Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham for another foul on Lolley after 16 minutes but The Cherries first foray into the Forest box two minutes later nearly resulted in the opening goal. The ball broke kindly for Phil Brining whose snap shot was tipped over by Brice Samba for a corner.
Then, after 28 minutes, David Brookes combined with Dominic Solanke and broke into the Forest box to give Bournemouth the lead, expertly guiding the ball past Samba and into the corner of the Forest net.
The referee then booked Brooks for fouling Oesi-Tutu as the Arsenal loanee was breaking clear on the left as Forest looked to respond immediately. Shortly afterwards, Lolley’s dipping shot was comfortably saved by Mark Travers in the Bournemouth goal.
On 37 minutes, it was Brooks again looking dangerous on the right for The Cherries as he smashed a shot across the face of Samba’s goal.
Two minutes later, Forest nearly equalised. Captain Ryan Yates found space in central midfield and drove a 25 yard shot past Travers but the ball crashed agonisingly against the inside of the post and away to safety.
Just before half time, Zinckernagel’s free kick fell to Taylor whose cross shot was saved by Travers and Johnson blazed the rebound wide.
Both Zinckernagel and Lolley were looking threatening on the flanks but The Cherries went into half time with a goal lead.
HT: Forest 0 Bournemouth 1
Bournemouth had the first opportunity of the second half when Jordan Zemura twisted in the box but sliced wide.
Brooks was fortunate not to get a second booking for fouling Johnson as Forest broke but from the free kick The Reds were level. Zinckernagel’s curling delivery from the left was powerfully headed home by Scott McKenna from near the penalty spot for Forest’s first league goal in front of the home faithful since Tyler Walker’s against Leeds in February 2020.
On 58 minutes, Bournemouth retook the lead. Yates was harshly penalised breaking up play in The Cherries half and from the resultant attack, Phil Brinning combined with Jaidon Anthony
On the hour mark, Bournemouth were down to ten men. David Brooks pulled back Oesi-Tutu deep in the Forest left back position and gave the referee no choice but to give him his marching orders.
On 64 minutes, Zinckernagel tested Travers with a low 25 yard shot and soon afterwards Alex Mighten replaced Joe Lolley as Chris Hughton made his fist change of the match.
Anthony had the ball in the Forest net after more good exchange play by Bournemouth in The Reds box but the linesman’s flag was already raised.
After 70 minutes, trickery by Alex Mighten down the left hand side earned Forest but from the corner Figuierdo failed to control the ball when unmarked at the far post. From the resulting action, Jack Colback was booked for hauling down Anthony.
With 15 minutes to play, Lewis Grabban was bought on for his first minutes of the new season replacing Lyle Taylor who had worked hard up front.
Grabban then headed with his first touch against the bar from Johnson’s cross and moments later, Mighten beat three players before shooting over from the edge of the box
With ten minutes left Joao Carvalho replaced Colback as The Reds pushed for an equaliser.
However, it was Bournemouth who nearly scored when Dominic Solanke was inches away from connecting rom Davies’ ball across the face of the goal.
The referee signalled five minutes of injury time and, after Osei-Tutu’s shot was blocked, Zinckernagel’s curling goalbound effort was parried away by Travers.
With seconds remaining, Carvalho and Johnson combined and, from the low cross, Grabban was denied a certain goal by Mepham’s last ditch clearance.
The corner was scrambled away and Bournemouth held on for the three points.
FT: Forest 1 Bournemouth 2
MATCH STATISTICS
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)
Brice Samba; Jordi Oesi-Tutu; Scott McKenna; Tobias Figuierdo; Jordan Gabriel; Jack Colback (Joao Carvalho 83’); Ryan Yates (c); Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson, Joe Lolley (Alex Mighten 68’); Lyle Taylor (Lewis Grabban 76’)
Substitutes: Ethan Horvath, Cafu, Tyrese Fornah, Fin Back
Bookings: Colback (73’)
Goals: McKenna (48’)
AFC Bournemouth (4-3-3)
Mark Travers; Jordan Zemura, Lloyd Kelly (c), Zeno Rossi, Chris Mepham; Emiliano Marcondes (Leif Davis 80’); Phil Billing; Gavin Kilkenny; David Brooks; Dominic Solanke (Christian Saydee 90 +3), Jaidon Anthony
Substitutes: Nathan Moriah-Welsh, William Dennis, Brennan Camp, Ryan Glove, Kyle Taylor
Goals: Brooks (28’), Brining (58’)
Bookings: Mepham (16’), Brooks (36’)
Sending off: Brooks (60’)
Possession: 54% - 46%
Shots (on target): 15 (5)-8 (3)
Corners: 6-4
Attendance: 25,035 including 1,122 Bournemouth supporters