A match which was dominated by penalty decisions - given and not given - ended with Nottingham Forest losing 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Reds had a chance early on when Scott McKenna got his head to a Morgan Gibbs-White corner. But it was the hosts who were on top for much of the first half.
Rayan Ait-Nouri headed off target from an Adama Traore cross on the 20-minute mark. The latter then fired off target following a quick break barely a minute later.
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The Reds were coming under pressure and were struggling to create much going forward when they did have the ball. Nevertheless, they argued they should have had a penalty midway through the half.
Emmanuel Dennis’ ball across goal reached Neco Williams, whose shot was charged down. The visitors appealed for a handball, but nothing was given after a VAR check.
And from there, much of the action took place at the opposite end of the pitch before the break. Ait-Nouri sent an effort wide, before Maximilian Kilman saw a header bounce off the post and into the grateful arms of Dean Henderson, following a Traore cross.
A Wolves goal looked to have been coming, but it came in somewhat controversial fashion when it did. After a lengthy VAR check, handball was given against Harry Toffolo for blocking a Traore shot. Dean Henderson went the right way but couldn’t keep out Ruben Neves’ thumping spot-kick in the 56th minute.
Forest had a penalty of their own heading into the final 10 minutes, following another VAR check for a foul on Ryan Yates. Jose Sa was equal to Brennan Johnson’s strike, however. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Molineux.
Dean Henderson: Not a great deal he could do about the winner, even though he dived the right way. Was caught out a few times with his distribution, however. Rating: 5.5/10
Neco Williams: Seemed to have a strong case for a penalty in the first half, when his shot was charged down. Much like Forest as a whole, needed a bit more composure at times. Rating: 5.5/10
Steve Cook: Made some important blocks and interventions - the Reds do seem to have tightened up somewhat and are certainly more solid than they were. Need to use the ball better going forward, though. Rating: 6/10
Scott McKenna: Wasn’t too far away with his header in the first few minutes. Some decent defensive work when under pressure. Rating: 6/10
Harry Toffolo: Had his work cut out from minute one as Wolves applied plenty of pressure down that side. Handball against him looked harsh, but constantly giving Adama Traore too much space was asking for trouble. Rating: 5/10
Cheikhou Kouyate: Struggled to make much of an impact on a tough afternoon for the visitors. Forest desperately needed someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Rating: 5/10
Ryan Yates: Put his body on the line and went in where it hurt a few times. Can’t accuse him of not giving his all. Won the penalty in the second half. Rating: 6/10
Remo Freuler: Showed some nice touches when he had the ball - it’s just that the Reds didn’t see enough of it. A few glimpses of what he is capable of. Rating: 6/10
Brennan Johnson: It was one of those days for the youngster, where little seemed to come off. Will need to pick himself up after that penalty save. Rating: 5.5/10
Emmanuel Dennis: Set up a shooting opportunity for Williams in the first half which led to a penalty claim. First touch let him down more than once, however. Got to do more to hold the ball up. Rating: 5/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: Seemed desperate to do well against his former club, perhaps trying a little too hard on occasion. Was involved in most of Forest’s more positive moments, though. Rating: 6/10
Subs
Orel Mangala (for Kouyate, 70mins): Tried his luck with a wild shot. That one was never going in, though. Rating: 6/10
Jesse Lingard (for Dennis, 70mins): Had a few positive moments, but never really looked like forcing a breakthrough. Rating: 5.5/10
Taiwo Awoniyi (for Freuler, 84mins): Barely had chance to settle into the match, coming on in tough circumstances. Rating: 5/10
Sam Surridge (for Toffolo, 89mins): Difficult to make much of an impact when coming on so late in the game. Rating: 6/10
Subs not used: Hennessey, Biancone, Worrall, Bade, Boly.
Who was your Forest man of the match? Have your say in the comments below
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