Bournemouth (A) 04/02/24

Bournemouth 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Kluivert 5'                          Hudson-Odoi 45'

Billing (Red card) 84'

 

Before we begin with the report of the game, Sunday’s game was very memorable for me. Back in May before the away game against Chelsea, I found out I was four rows back so decided to write a banner asking Danilo for his shirt in Portuguese. After many attempts, he finally noticed my sign and came over before handing me his shirt! I think I’m going to frame it and keep it as memorabilia forever!

 

In need of a win, Nuno’s Forest travelled to the south coast to hold out for a 1-1 draw against a flying Bournemouth.

 

To pull away from the relegation zone, the Reds needed to pick up a result as Everton and Luton had both picked up a result in their games. As for Bournemouth, they were looking to get back on their great winning form. However, it wasn’t going to be easy for Forest as they were winless in eight games against the Cherries.

 

Forest named their newest signing, Mats Sels, in goal with fans hoping he would give a better performance than Matt Turner’s recent antics. The Reds also named their two young signings, Giovanni Reyna and Rodrigo Ribiero, on their substitutes bench. Dominic Solanke made his 200^th Bournemouth appearance after scoring seventy-one goals for the Cherries. Unfortunately, new signing Enes Unal was still waiting for a visa approval so couldn’t make the 18-man matchday squad.

 

Bournemouth began with a great start after five minutes when a corner was whipped in and Luis Sinisterra headed it towards the back post. He tried to claim the goal but Justin Kluivert got the final touch over the line to fire the Cherries infront. Poor set-piece defending yet again from Forest and they lead the number of goals conceded from corners this season.

 

Despite the early set back, the Reds had the majority of the chances with two shots on target coming from midfielder, Ryan Yates who probably should’ve done better with the opportunities. Taiwo Awoniyi had a chance also after beating his man but he too couldn’t finish beyond Neto. Bournemouth had a chance of their own through a curling effort from Antoine Semenyo which took a deflection to send it just wide.

 

Just before the break, Morgan Gibbs-White whipped in a free-kick from the right which got cleared out of the box. Luckily for Forest, the ball landed nicely for Callum Hudson-Odoi after a bounce. He managed to wriggle away from the defender before unleashing a beautiful finish round Neto to level the score.

 

Halftime, 1-1.

 

The second half bought half-chances with the only real moment coming from another free-kick where Andrew Omabamidele found himself free infront of goal but a poor touch prevented Forest from taking the lead.

 

In the closing stages of the ninety minutes, Forest broke on the counter and in an attempt to stop the quick break, Phillip Billing stamped on the back of Hudson-Odoi’s achilles. Referee Rebecca Welch, deemed this as endangering an opponent and therefore sent the midfielder off. Controversy occurred as Forest fans may think Kluivert should’ve had multiple bookings before being substituted off.

 

Forest couldn’t make the extra man advantage count, bringing on their two new signings and the game ended all square which was a fair result.

 

I think we played well today and were much the better team. Maybe with better finishing especially from Yatesy we could’ve taken more from the game but I’m happy with how we bounced back after the disappointing start. I think Dominguez was our best player with our young centre back partnership keeping one of the best strikers in the league quiet. The referee made some questionable decisions from my view but I think she got the red card spot on as Callum looked seriously hurt. However, I think Kluivert should’ve been off for his multiple challenges. All the debutants looked good but it’s unfortunate they can’t play Wednesday especially as I think Taiwo needs a bit of a rest after coming back and playing so much. I’m so happy I got Dani’s shirt after so long! Let’s hope to progress to the 5^th round on Wednesday!

 

Bournemouth: Neto; Kelly (Kerkez 83'), Senesi, Zabarnyi, Smith; Christie (Billing 56'), Cook; Sinisterra (Ouattera 71'), Kluivert (Scott 56'), Semenyo (Tavenier 45'); Solanke

 

Forest: Sels; Williams (Montiel 78'), Omabamidele, Murillo, Tavares; Yates, Dominguez (Danilo 72'); Elanga (Reyna 78'), Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi (Ribiero 90'); Awoniyi