Callum’s cracker gives Nuno breathing space

TIME will tell how crucial this point will be for Nottingham Forest and Nuno Espirito Santo but for now it pushed them up to 16th and two points clear of the relegation zone. Nuno’s time at Forest began in December with an agonising last-minute defeat by Bournemouth and in the reverse fixture here, they were rescued by a moment of brilliance from Callum Hudson-Odoi after Justin Kluivert had given Bournemouth an early lead. Despite a straight red card for Philip Billing late on after a reckless challenge on HudsonOdoi, Forest failed to make their man advantage count. Both teams remain without a Premier League win in 2024, however a draw ended a run of two successive defeats for Forest after a horrid January. Following an array of injuries and getting charged by the Premier League for breaching financial rules, this was at least a positive start to February. ‘It was a tough game,’ said Nuno. ‘We could have done more in the end with a man advantage, but it was intense.’ He made six changes from Forest’s defeat by Arsenal in midweek with a debut for new goalkeeper Matz Sels, in place of Matt Turner. It took the Cherries just five minutes to beat the deadline day signing, with Andoni Iraola’s two changes combining for the breakthrough. Not that the Belgian keeper could do much about it as Luis Sinisterra flicked on Lewis Cook’s corner to the back post, where Kluivert converted into an empty net. Forest responded well and should have levelled in the 25th minute as Murillo rose highest to meet Morgan Gibbs-White’s free-kick but Ryan Yates struck the ball too close to Neto, who made a crucial save. It took a superb finish from Hudson-Odoi on the brink of half-time to level things. The 23-year-old was the creator too, winning possession and navigating his way through a sea of Bournemouth shirts before curling a sublime strike into the far corner. It was a rare off day for Dominic Solanke, who failed to have a shot all afternoon. Nuno gave debuts late on to Giovanni Reyna and Rodrigo

Ribeiro either side of Billing getting sent off for sliding his studs down the back of HudsonOdoi’s achilles. ‘I think it (the red card) was too harsh,’ said Iraola. ‘Everyone thought it was going be a yellow.’ Nuno disagreed, stating that it was an ‘obvious’ red card. As Rebecca Welch — who became the first female Premier League referee earlier this season — blew the final whistle before Bournemouth could take a corner, she was booed off and then met with chants of ‘you’re not fit to referee’. ‘I complained at the end to her about the corner,’ admitted Iraola. ‘Our fans would have the same reaction (if it was a male referee). We’ve had Rebecca twice this season and I think Rebecca had a very good game (against QPR) but this was not an easy game to referee.’