ELECTRIC PHILLIPS

Stunning finish shocks impressive Forest and their genius Guedioura

WINGER Matt Phillips rescued a point for West Brom with an unstoppable late equaliser to deny classy Nottingham Forest.

Star man Adlene Guedioura’s long-range effort on 59 minutes looked set to give Aitor Karanka’s men three points to show for their impressive home display.

But three minutes from time, Phillips rifled home an equaliser to give Darren Moore’s battling Baggies a point.

West Brom had the game’s first opening on six minutes when Kyle Bartley chested a Chris Brunt free-kick towards Jay Rodriguez, but the forward fired over.

But it was Forest who made most of the early running and they should have led when Tendayi Darikwa found room out wide, and crossed for Joao Carvalho, whose shot was deflected wide.

Moments later, another quick break for the hosts ended with Gil Dias’s shot deflecting into the arms of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

Dias then turned provider, with an outrageous chip into the path of Lewis Grabban, who lashed a shot from a tricky angle into the side netting.

Another pacy break by the hosts ended with a powerful shot by Grabban being beaten away by Johnstone, who then made a smart save to deny Joe Lolley.

But West Brom could have led on the stroke of half-time when Rodriguez fired just wide from a Phillips cross.

Early in the second half, Forest were denied by fine defending by Bartley, whose tackle denied Grabban after a fine ball by Guedioura (below). Then Harvey Barnes dragged a low shot just wide for West Brom. But Guedioura broke the deadlock on the hourmark with a long-range strike. The classy Algerian cut onto his left foot 25 yards from goal, and hit a right-footed shot that squirmed past Johnstone and crept into the bottom corner. Guedioura almost excelled himself moments later with an audacious effort from inside his own half that keeper Johnstone just scrambled back to push over.

Then, in the closing stages, new signing Dwight Gayle hit the post as Albion almost grabbed an undeserved point.

But with three minutes remaining, Phillips did rescue a draw with a thunderous shot into the top corner at the far post.

And there was still time for Phillips to hit the post, Barnes to head against the crossbar, and Bartley to clear off the line for Albion in a frantic finish.