Matheus Cunha scored twice for Wolverhampton Wanderers in his first start in two months as relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest squandered a second-half lead in their 2-2 Premier League draw at the City Ground on Saturday.
Cunha gave Wolves the lead in the first half with a fine solo goal, before Morgan Gibbs-White equalised just before the break and Danilo put Forest ahead before the hour mark.
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But a mistake by goalkeeper Matz Sels allowed Cunha to score his second goal, and although the home side dominated much of the game thanks to the start and chances, they failed to find the winning goal.
Forest, who are seeking a solution to deduct four points for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, have 26 points from 33 games, one point more than Luton Town, who are 18th in the relegation zone.
“I think we can all agree that we left the field disappointed that we didn’t get the 3 points,” Gibbs-White said. “Again, we stepped up in a game and conceded. We have to reflect. ” On what happened, one point is one point, but we’re disappointed that we didn’t get the three. “
Former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo, now in charge of Forest, will be disappointed with his team’s defence and their inability to achieve goals in what he will consider two points lost.
The injured Wolves remain in 11th place with 43 problems in 32 games and, to their credit, continued to fight for anything in the game, this result likely to end their hopes of earning a position in the European festival next season.
Woeful Forest’s defense, trying to play from the back, forced Murillo off the line on a shot by João Gomes and, with the goal open, Pablo Sarabia deflected the rebound.
But Wolves took the lead five minutes before the break thanks to a goal from Cunha.
He picked up the ball on the halfway line and looked like he had nothing until he turned to Forest defender Andrew Omobamidele and sent a superb shot into the corner of the net.
That joy was short-lived as Gibbs-White equalised when he headed in a corner from Gio Reyna, goalkeeper José Sá feeling he deserved better.
Forest were rewarded for their dominance in the early moments of the second half with a disjointed goal in the 57th minute. He had several chances to clear the ball, but Danilo controlled to shoot from 8 meters.
Wolves’ equaliser was also due to poor defence. Sels opted to head home when he had stuck the ball and, when it bounced off his own defender, Cunha had enough type to score from close range.
“I think a draw is a fair result,” Wolves manager Gary O’Neil told the BBC. “They had more shots and territory, we had more of the ball. It’s probably a fair result, but I suppose Forest will be disappointed.
“They exerted some overdue tension, without bothering José Sá too much. “