Nottingham Forest’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday won them a crucial point, but they are still right in the middle of the Premier League relegation fight.
At the Vitality Stadium, Justin Kluivert headed in his third league goal of the year within five minutes, setting the Cherries up for their first league victory since Boxing Day.
But, they had previously conceded 15 points from winning positions this season, and Forest took advantage of their inability to sustain a lead by equalising in first-half stoppage time thanks to a stunning curling finish from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
After Philip Billing, a substitute, received a straight red card for dragging his studs down Hudson-Odoi’s right Achilles late in the game, Bournemouth was reduced to ten players; however, the outcome remained the same.
Due to their second straight draw, the hosts move up one spot to 12th, while Forest moves two points above Everton, who now hold the final berth in the bottom three, to 16th place, surpassing Luton.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said after the game:
“It was a game where there was not a lot of space for both teams. I think they had more energy than us, that’s the reason I made the subs very, very early to try to match their physical condition. We dealt well with the game, we finished with 10 and didn’t concede clear chances.
“Today, we didn’t have the legs. We started very well in the first 20-25 minutes, but once we burned some energy, we couldn’t keep this level and it cost us much, much more.”
On Billing’s red card: “I think he goes to make the foul to stop the counter. It’s true that he goes from behind, but his foot is touching the floor. There’s nothing dangerous, he just steps on him.
“For me, it’s too harsh to be a red card. Nobody thought [when it was] live that it was going to be a red, but I think we did quite well with 10.”
While Nottingham Forest’s Nuno Espírito Santo said: “What cost us was to concede so soon in the game; it’s something we should avoid. In the first half, we reacted and I think we played really well; we started to dominate and create problems for Bournemouth. In the second half, for both teams, it was not a well-played game.
“Confidence is the foundation of playing football. The players must have confidence and we are insisting on that because we must play football to get out of this situation – that’s the only way.
“We are very far from achieving what we want to, but the important thing is the commitment of the players and the way they help each other. The rest will come with time, for sure.”
On Billing’s red card: “When I saw it [Billing’s tackle] there was no doubt [it was a red]. He had no intention to play the ball and it was a kick from behind.”
Nottingham host Newcastle next in the City Ground on Saturday while Bournemouth visit Fulham on the same day.
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