Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s stunning strike earned Wolverhampton Wanderers their first point of the Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
In a frantic start to the game, New Zealand striker Chris Wood headed the hosts into a 10th-minute lead from a corner, having been left completely unmarked in the penalty area.
Bellegarde issued an immediate response, however, lashing home a sensational hit two minutes later.
Both sides failed to really create clearcut chances to snatch all three points as Forest remained unbeaten this season.
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- Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s first-half thunderbolt earns Wolves draw at Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
The match finishes 1-1 with Wolves furious at being denied a penalty and Nottingham Forest ruing Woods’ ability to stay onside. The first half was incredibly tight with no margin given from either side, Wolves starting the quicker with Ait-Nouri having an early effort cleared off the line. They would regret their failure to capitalise on their good start in the 10th minute as Wood converted a chance from a corner as he directed his header back across goal into the Wolves net to make it 1-0. O’Neil’s side would be level two minutes later as Bellegarde scored a wonderful goal from outside the Forest box. The ball flashed past the keeper into the top corner of the goal to make it 1-1. The match was competitive throughout the first half with four yellow cards brandished but little further goal mouth action. After the interval Forest were by far the better side and were creating chances for Woods, but the striker couldn’t convert, with Johnstone denying him with a fantastic save in the 64th minute. The Forest striker would be at the centre of things as he clearly handled the ball while defending a free-kick, which left Wolves and O’Neil incensed by the referee’s decision not to award a clear penalty. Woods almost dealt a cruel blow to Wolves as he had the ball in the back of the net in the 78th minute, but he was deemed offside and the goal was ruled out. Forest edged the game overall with 51.8 percent of possession, with five shots on target from a total of 16 giving them an xG of 1.16. A better showing than their opponents who only managed an xG of 0.8 from their three shots on target, all of which came in the first half, from their 11. Forest will feel they did enough to edge a win in their performance but Wolves can feel hard done by not to be awarded a penalty that may have awarded them their first win of the Premier League season.
31 August 2024 17:15
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
FULL-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-1 WOLVES
31 August 2024 17:00
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
A poorly timed tackle by Gibbs-White on Lemina earns him a deserved yellow card.
31 August 2024 16:59
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
A frantic few minute that has seen both sides lose the ball countless times with careless passes through tiredness and lack of quality. Poor as both sides hunt for a winning goal.
31 August 2024 16:58
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
WHAT A BLOCK! Dawson throws himself in front of Woods shot from the edge of the box. The strike was hit with venom but the defender put his body in the line to the disbelief of Wood. Incredible defending from the experienced player.
31 August 2024 16:56
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Doyle with a speculative effort, flashing his shot over the bar. The ball fell to him 25 yards out for a half volley, but he lacked conviction. Never troubling the goalkeeper.
31 August 2024 16:54
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
A superb performance by Anderson in the midfield today for Forest, but as his side search for a winner Awoniyi has entered the action.
31 August 2024 16:51
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Substitution Anthony David Junior Elanga João Pedro Ferreira Silva
31 August 2024 16:50
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
A cynical foul by Anderson, denying a counter attack from Wolves cleverly, knowing he was about to be replaced by his manager.
31 August 2024 16:50
Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Larsen has struggled throughout the match. Losing possession nine times despite only making 23 touches to this point, so he has been replaced by Andre.
31 August 2024 16:48
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