Match Reports

Albion held to frustrating draw with Forest

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Albion share the spoils with Nottingham Forest.

By Luke Nicoli • 18 October 2022

By James Boardman
Leandro Trossard's excellent effort struck the crossbar in the first half.

It proved to be another night of frustration for the Seagulls as they were held to a goalless draw by league newcomers Forest.

Like Tottenham and Brentford before, Albion took control for long spells, created plenty of chances – certainly in the first half – but couldn’t find that elusive goal that their play deserved.

It was a result that handed the visitors only their second point on their travels, while Roberto De Zerbi is still searching for his first win as Albion head coach.

His side couldn’t had done much more, and he would have been delighted with the way his players started the game, forcing a couple of corners, and enjoying the lion’s share of possession. It was a sign of things to come.

Leandro Trossard was seeing plenty of the ball on the left flank, and Albion’s first attempt on goal came on 13 minutes when the Belgian collected a by-line cross from Solly March on the edge of the box. He then side-stepped Serge Aurier and Morgan Gibbs-White, only for Forest keeper Dean Henderson to parry the fierce, curling effort away for another corner.

By James Boardman
Roberto De Zerbi has seen his side take two points from his four games in charge.

Albion continued on the front foot while Forest, looking to climb off the foot of the table, were reduced to rare forays forward, where striker Brennan Johnson looked the most likely outlet.

At the other end, Joel Veltman could have done with a centre-forward’s touch when he blazed his effort high over Henderson’s crossbar from inside the box.

Albion came much closer to breaking the deadlock shortly after the half-hour mark when a delightful sweeping team move saw the ball again fall to Trossard on the edge of the box. Head down, his sole focus was on hitting the target but this time his stinging effort came crashing back off the upright.

It really was one-way traffic, and another chance was missed moments later when a deft cross by Trossard was flicked narrowly wide by the head of Adam Lallana.

Henderson really was earning his corn and he got down well at his near post to save March’s low drive before saving a first-time effort from Pascal Gross soon after.

The half ended with Adam Webster firing over as he stretched for the ball and as the half-time whistle went, it would have been the visitors breathing a huge sigh of relief.

By James Boardman
Albion captain Lewis Dunk organises his teammates.

The opening to the second half was a mirror image of the first, with Albion penning their opponents back into their own half.

Veltman sent over a dangerous cross which a back-peddling Welbeck couldn’t quite get on target, while a low March ball into the six-yard box was hacked to safety.

Johnson flashed a rare effort wide for Forest, but with the game passing the hour mark and the game still level, Albion made a change. Tariq Lamptey replaced Lallana and filled the right wing-back position as March positioned himself further inside.

Chances were less forthcoming despite the Seagulls dominating the play, and heads were again in hands ten minutes from the end when a Lamptey cross was teed up by Welbeck. The ball fell to Gross but his close-range effort was again palmed away by Henderson.

Albion kept probing, kept pushing for the opening goal, but sadly it never arrived. Forest and their fans were delighted with the draw, the Seagulls not so much. 

Line-up: Sanchez, Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Trossard, Mac Allister, Caicedo, Gross (Undav 85), March, Lallana (Lallana 64), Welbeck.

Subs not used: Steele, Van Hecke, Estupinan, Turns, Gilmour, Sarmiento, Enciso.