Nottingham Forest returned to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as Steve Cooper’s side faced Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
Head Coach Steve Cooper made one change from Monday’s draw against Aston Villa at The City Ground, with Neco Williams replacing Serge Aurier.
Our hosts dominated the early stages with controlled possession and forced a couple of corners, Joao Moutinho delivering from the right-hand side but Forest stood firm to clear the danger.
Returning to Molineux since making a summer switch from Wolves, Morgan Gibbs-White picked out Scott McKenna with a corner of his own on 10 minutes but despite rising well, the Scotland international couldn’t quite keep his header below the crossbar.
On 18 minutes, Adama Traoré delivered a deep cross to full-back Rayan Äit-Nouri at the back post, the Frenchman connected well with his header but unable to trouble Dean Henderson in The Reds’ goal before Traoré himself fired wide.
A neat passage of play from Forest on 25 minutes led to a chance for Williams, Emmanuel Dennis’ cross falling to the Welshman inside the area but his strike was deflected behind by Toti Gomes. After a brief VAR check for handball, appeals were waved away and the resulting corner was cleared.
With the break approaching, Äit-Nouri moved forward again for the hosts before unleashing a powerful left-footed effort wide before Traoré’s cross was headed against the woodwork by Max Kilman, the loose ball falling into Henderson’s arms.
Half time: Wolves 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Good work from Remo Freuler inside the opening minutes of the second period saw the midfielder find Gibbs-White on the edge of the area, our number 10 taking aim with a curling strike which landed wide the post.
On 55 minutes, the hosts were awarded a penalty. Traoré’s strike was adjudged to have struck the arm of Harry Toffolo and after a lengthy VAR review, referee Thomas Bramall pointed to the spot. Although Henderson guessed correctly, the powerfully struck penalty by Ruben Neves found the back of the net to give Wolves the lead.
Gibbs-White had an opportunity from a free-kick on the hour mark, stepping up to strike a right-footed effort towards goal but couldn’t quite direct the ball on target.
With The Reds looking for a route back into the game, Cooper made a double change as Orel Mangala and Jesse Lingard replaced Kouyaté and Dennis with 20 minutes remaining.
On 77 minutes, The Reds had a huge chance to level. Ryan Yates was fouled inside the area and after another VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot. Brennan Johnson stepped up but saw his low strike saved by Jose Sá low to his left.
Sam Surridge and Taiwo Awoniyi were introduced for the remaining minutes as Forest continued to probe for a leveller, Yates seeing a header miss the target after Gibbs-White’s free-kick was headed back across goal by Steve Cook.
The Reds continued to push Wolves back as eight minutes of added time were shown, but the hosts stood firm to see out their second victory of the campaign.
Full time: Wolves 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Wolves: Jose Sá, Jonny, Max Kilman, Toti Gomes, Rayan Äit-Nouri (Hugo Bueno 90+3’), Joao Moutinho (Boubacar Traore 82), Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes (Joe Hodge 90’), Adama Traoré (Nelson Semedo 85’), Daniel Podence, Diego Costa (Hee-chan Hwang 82’)
Substitutes: Matija Šarkić, Yerson Mosquera, Gonçalo Guedes, Chem Campbell
Goals: Neves (56’)
Booked: Daniel Podence (80’), Joe Hodge (90’)
Nottingham Forest: Dean Henderson, Serge Aurier, Steve Cook, Scott McKenna, Harry Toffolo (Sam Surridge 87’), Cheikhou Kouyaté (Orel Mangala 70’), Remo Freuler (Taiwo Awoniyi 83’), Ryan Yates, Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson, Emmanuel Dennis (Jesse Lingard 70’)
Substitutes: Wayne Hennessey, Löic Badé, Willy Boly, Joe Worrall
Booked: Dennis (16’), McKenna (67)
Referee: Thomas Bramall