Nottingham Forest held to 1-1 draw at Ipswich after VAR controversy and wasteful finishing

Nottingham Forest continued their struggles in front of goal, drawing 1-1 at Ipswich despite dominating. Neco Williams gave Forest a first-half lead, but Julio Enciso equalised before the break after a Nikola Milenkovic mistake. Forest also felt aggrieved when Issa Diop escaped a red card following a VAR review.

  • Competition: Premier League
  • Result: Ipswich 1-1 Nottingham Forest
  • Key moment: VAR reviews Issa Diop tackle; defender receives only a yellow card
  • Forest's xG: 2.31 from 17 shots (Ipswich had 7 shots)
  • Next: Forest have just one win from eight games

The numbers

  • Expected goals (Forest): 2.31
  • Shots: Forest 17, Ipswich 7
  • Forest's season xG: 13.4
  • Forest's goals scored: 6
  • Forest's record: One win from eight games

Match report

Nottingham Forest's profligacy in front of goal was on full display at Portman Road as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ipswich Town. Despite creating 2.31 worth of expected goals and out-shooting their hosts 17-7, Forest had only Neco Williams' first-half strike to show for their dominance. The lead lasted until just before the break when Julio Enciso capitalised on a mistake from Nikola Milenkovic to level the scores.

Forest were left incensed by a VAR decision that saw Ipswich defender Issa Diop escape a red card. Referee Thomas Bramall was sent to the pitchside monitor to review Diop's tackle on James McAtee for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, but opted to show only a yellow card. The visitors also had Leif Davis to thank for two goal-line clearances, while Liam Delap and Callum Hudson-Odoi were guilty of wasting good chances at the other end.

Why Forest's finishing problems are costing them points

The statistics paint a damning picture of Nottingham Forest's season. No team in the Premier League has underperformed their expected goals data more than Forest, who have scored just six times from 13.4 worth of chances created. That profligacy was evident again at Ipswich, where Neco Williams gave them a deserved lead but Liam Delap and Callum Hudson-Odoi spurned opportunities to extend it. Julio Enciso punished Nikola Milenkovic's error just before half-time, and Forest never regained their advantage.

The defensive lapse from Milenkovic was uncharacteristic, but the bigger issue remains the team's inability to convert chances. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will be concerned that his side's dominance is not translating into goals, leaving them with just one win from their opening eight games. The VAR controversy surrounding Issa Diop will also linger, but Forest cannot afford to dwell on refereeing decisions when their own finishing is so wasteful.

Ipswich, meanwhile, will be relieved to have taken a point from a game in which they were largely second-best. Leif Davis's two clearances off the line were crucial, and the home side showed resilience to withstand Forest's pressure. However, they too will need to improve if they are to climb the table.

Talking points

  • Should Issa Diop have been sent off for his tackle on James McAtee? The VAR review suggested a clear goalscoring opportunity was denied, yet the referee stuck with a yellow card.
  • Nottingham Forest's wastefulness is becoming a serious problem: 13.4 xG but only six goals scored is a glaring inefficiency that is costing them valuable points.
  • Nuno Espirito Santo's side have just one win from eight games. Is the manager under pressure to turn things around quickly?
  • Leif Davis's two goal-line clearances were vital for Ipswich, but their overall performance was poor. Can they build on this point?

What happens next

Nottingham Forest will look to address their finishing woes in their next Premier League fixture, while Ipswich will aim to build on this hard-fought point. Both sides remain in the lower reaches of the table, and the urgency to climb the standings is increasing. Forest's next match is a crucial opportunity to claim just their second win of the season.

Frequently asked questions

Why was Issa Diop not sent off for his tackle on James McAtee?

Referee Thomas Bramall was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR to review Diop's tackle for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, but after reviewing the incident he showed only a yellow card, meaning the defender was not sent off.

How many shots did Nottingham Forest have against Ipswich?

Nottingham Forest had 17 shots compared to Ipswich's 7, and they accumulated 2.31 worth of expected goals, but they only scored once.

What is Nottingham Forest's record this season?

Nottingham Forest have won just one of their eight Premier League games this season, and they have scored only six goals from 13.4 expected goals, underperforming their xG more than any other team.

Filed under: Match Reports | LA Premier League Home