A well-timed header from Chris Wood in the 90th minute past Wes Foderingham lifted Nottingham Forest past newly promoted Sheffield United (2-1) to pick up their first Premier League points today season.
In a rivalry marked by poor starts by both teams, outmatched by their respective performances, it was Steve Cooper’s home side who found reward for their persistence and the ability to capitalize on their experience in the category they reached in a year, also from the Championship.
The clash at the City Ground is the reunion of two teams who two seasons ago starred head-to-head as Nottingham finally achieved promotion. As different as an exercise is, they have the same goal at hand. Now, on the second date of the Premier, they meet again, in the highest category.
Nottingham, who managed to stay up last year, got off to a poor start after losing to Arsenal. He equalized against Sheffield who had yet to score. He fell a few days ago with Crystal Palace (0-1) and now, in his first outing, against Forest.
And even though Paul Heckingbottom’s side had a point, they didn’t hide their shortcomings when it came to defending high balls. That is how he received two goals. The first, after three minutes, when Nigerian Taiwo Awoniyi got ahead of his markers and headed a cross from Ivorian Serge Aurier into the net.
But at the beginning of the second half, the visitors scored their first goal in the category. It’s a kick from Dutch Gustavo Hamer, from the front, impossible for goalkeeper Matt Turner.
With the match heading for a draw, Aurier once again emerged as his team’s best assistant. Again he hooked the ball into the area and there appeared Wood, again on top, to come in, score and give Nottingham Forest the win. The first of the course.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
