Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Report

Scorers: Wood 23’; Semenyo 87’

Opening Day Drama at the City Ground

Nottingham Forest halted a five-year streak of opening day losses in the Premier League, but their aspirations for a full three points were dashed by a late goal from Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

The thrilling match at the City Ground showcased moments of brilliance and high tension that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Early Scare and First-Half Dominance

The match took an early dramatic turn when Forest’s Danilo collided with Semenyo, leading to a prolonged on-field treatment for the Brazilian midfielder on his 50th club appearance.

This incident briefly halted the momentum, but Forest quickly regained composure. Chris Wood, continuing his form as last season’s top scorer, opened the scoring.

The goal came after Ryan Yates’ initial powerful drive was parried by Bournemouth’s goalkeeper, Neto, only for Wood to clinically finish the rebound.

Controversial Calls and Steadfast Defence

Bournemouth believed they had equalised from a cleverly executed corner routine, but their celebrations were cut short as the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

Forest managed to maintain their narrow lead into halftime, surviving a late first-half surge from the visitors.

Second Half: A Tightly Contested Affair

The game remained competitive and scrappy after the break, with both teams creating chances. Forest’s Willy Boly came close with a header that forced a superb save from Neto.

Bournemouth responded with Semenyo testing Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels from the edge of the box. The intensity increased with the introduction of Forest’s record signing Elliot Anderson, who lifted the spirits of the home supporters.

Late Drama and a Denied Victory

Just as it seemed Nottingham Forest would secure their first win over Bournemouth in nine league encounters, a defensive mishap changed the course of the game.

Harry Toffolo’s attempted clearance inadvertently set up Semenyo, who capitalised on the opportunity to level the score with just three minutes remaining.

Reflections and Looking Forward

The late equaliser was a harsh outcome for Forest, who had looked poised to start their campaign with a victory.

Bournemouth’s resilience, however, ensured they shared the spoils, leaving both teams with areas to improve as they aim to build on their performances from last season.

For Andoni Iraola and his Bournemouth side, the focus will now turn to integrating new striker Evanilson, who is expected to fill the void left by Dominic Solanke and help the team surpass last season’s record points tally.

This gripping match sets the tone for what could be a highly competitive season for both Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, as they look to cement their places in the Premier League and push towards higher achievements.

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Nottm Forest v Bournemouth, 2024/25 | Premier League