Nottingham Forest vs Leicester Report

Scorers: Gibbs-White 25’, Wood 56’; Coady 16’, Buonanotte 81’

Nottingham Forest’s hopes of a UEFA Champions League place took another blow as they were held to a 2-2 draw by already-relegated rivals Leicester City, marking a run of just one win in their last six Premier League outings. Despite a strong start, the Tricky Trees let a lead slip twice, failing to capitalise on the earlier slip-up from top-five rivals Chelsea.

First Half – Missed Chances and Set-Piece Exchange

Forest came flying out of the blocks, clearly intent on reclaiming their place in the top five. Anthony Elanga was at the heart of everything positive, delivering dangerous crosses from both flanks to Chris Wood, who twice failed to convert presentable chances. That wastefulness was punished in the 17th minute when a long Leicester throw-in eventually led to Bilal El Khannouss stinging the gloves of Matz Sels, and Conor Coady nodded in the rebound to score his first Premier League goal in nearly two years.

Stunned into action, Forest responded with a familiar source: a set piece. Elanga’s free-kick from the right found Morgan Gibbs-White, whose header bounced across goal and nestled into the far corner – Forest’s 16th set-piece goal this campaign, joint-most in the division. Despite growing into the game, the hosts couldn’t turn the screw before half-time, with Stolarczyk denying Nicolás Domínguez after a well-worked move.

Second Half – Forest Lead Again, but Buonanotte Responds

Forest began the second half much as they had the first – with intensity and purpose. Domínguez squandered another decent opening before Wood finally found his mark. Meeting Gibbs-White’s cross at the back post, the New Zealander’s diving header brought up his 20th league goal of the season and his 100th career Premier League goal involvement.

However, Forest once again failed to protect their lead, and were made to pay late on. With 10 minutes remaining, Facundo Buonanotte capitalised on a loose ball, drove into the box, evaded Morato, and slotted a composed finish past Sels to stun the City Ground. Forest’s late attempts at a winner fell flat, and they were even indebted to a brilliant Sels save to stop Jeremy Monga from stealing it at the death.

Conclusion – More Frustration for Forest

A night that began with promise ended in frustration for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men, who missed the opportunity to complete a league double over Leicester for the first time since 1994/95. Now one point outside the top five with just two matches remaining, Forest’s Champions League dream hangs by a thread. For Leicester, the draw provides a rare bright spark in a dismal campaign, having avoided defeat in Nottingham for the third time in four top-flight visits.

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Nott’m Forest v Leicester, 2024/25 | Premier League