Forest and United play out an enthralling 2-2 draw at The City Ground. As the Red Devils come from behind to secure a point and keep their unbeaten Premier League run going.
Match Report
Saturday afternoon saw a meeting of two of English top flights most decorated sides. Both who are going through some what of a transition. As United looked to continue their recent upturn in form. Whilst the hosts, who are on their third permanent of the season and at the start of the afternoon found themselves in the relegation zone looked to improve their own form under new boss Sean Dyche.
The hosts utilised the always raucous atmosphere created by the home fans to settle into an early rhythm. Playing on the front foot with some threatening forward play, stinging the finger tips of the United keeper on a few occasions.
Everything that was good about Nottingham Forest seemed to come through Elliott Anderson. A player than many United fans would love to see adorned with the Red of Manchester United. With some optimistic United fans across social media viewing the midfielders performance as some what of an audition. Only time will tell on that front.
As is becoming familiar to United fans much of what was good about their play came from the combination play of Amad and Mbeumo. As the former tested Sels with a whipped shot from outside the area.
Controversy was only around the corner, and ironically it was from a corner in which it stemmed. United were awarded with said set piece. Despite replays showing that the ball hadn't necessarily crossed the line. To protests from the players on field and the bench. A Forest bench who had been stung by a similar situation only last weekend. Lightning couldn't strike twice though could it. It could!
Fernandes who ignored the protests and swung in a perfectly flighted cross, which was met and smartly nodded home by Casemiro. The Brazilian whose form has been revitalised in recent weeks found himself once again on the score sheet. Considering there were calls for the midfielder not too long ago to "leave football before the football leaves you." He is certainly silencing his critics (and a certain former Liverpool player, turned pundit).
After the restart, it saw the game quickly (and probably deservedly) turn on its head In Nottingham Forest's favour. They shot out of the blocks and saw themselves go from 1 down to 2-1 up in the blink of an eye. As Morgan Gibbs-White; who so often is the impact player for Forest levelled proceedings before Savona put the hosts in front 2 minutes later. It quickly felt like a return to all too familiar bad habits.
That feeling grew even stronger with fans of the away side. When Fernandes produced a powerful shot from the edge of the area, it had beaten Sels, but the post came to Forests aid. Still 2-1.
It was destined to be "one of those days." Wasn't it? Not if Amad had anything to do with it. As the ball pinged around the area. The Ivorian found himself in a position on the edge of the area. As the ball looped out towards him cries of "shoot" echoed from the away end. Of which the United man dually obliged. Powering his half volley into the back of the net, surely already a contender for Manchester United goal of the season. A piece of magic that gets better every time you see it.
With 10 minutes still to play the game became wide open and end to end, akin to a basketball match. With both sides pushing for the win. It was United that thought they had won it at the death. As Amad again laced a half volley shot towards goal. Only for it to be cleared off the line by Murillo.
That was to be all she wrote. It ended at The City Ground 2-2. A game of two halves, and a point which maybe deep down both managers will be happy with. Although this ends United's winning run, and delays that lad from cutting his hair (for a few more weeks at least). This performance and result again felt like Amorim's men are moving in the right direction. As if this was last season it would've certainly seen the hosts take all 3 points following that capitulation early in the second half. A sentiment echoed by the United Portuguese boss in his post match interviews.
