Super sub Jota denies famous win for Forest in pulsating draw

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Substitute Diogo Jota’s header within seconds of coming on denied Nottingham Forest a statement win against Liverpool in a pulsating 1-1 draw at the City Ground.

Chris Wood had given surprise top-four challengers Forest a dream early lead in the eighth minute and looked for a time like they may shut out the Premier League leaders with a brilliant display.

But Jota came to the rescue for Arne Slot’s side to earn what was probably a deserved draw, with Forest stopper Matz Sels producing a number of brilliant saves to earn a point for the hosts.

The draw means Liverpool maintain their six-point lead at the top of the table, with Forest moving above Arsenal into second place ahead of tomorrow’s North London derby.

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool

Wood sent the City Ground into pandemonium in the eighth minute through a typically devastating counter attack after spending much of the previous seven minutes defending the league leaders’ early pressure.

Anthony Elanga’s through ball found the New Zealand international, who took one touch before coolly slotting past Alisson for his 13th of the season.

Liverpool continued to dominate the ball with 71% possession in the first half but could not get any of their nine first-half attempts on target, with Luis Diaz guilty of two wayward shots.

The hosts remained useful despite seeing barely any of the ball. Murillo wasn’t far off shortly after Wood’s goal with a long-range effort as the first half ended leaving Arne Slot with plenty of thinking to do.

Jota rescues Liverpool

Much of the same continued in the second half as Liverpool continued to struggle to break down a stubborn Forest defence, that was until the introduction of Jota just after the hour mark.

Within 30 seconds of being introduced to salvage the game in place of defender Ibrahima Konate, the Portuguese forward was in the perfect position to head in the corner from close range and draw Liverpool level.

The 28-year-old was then denied the chance to put the visitors ahead after cutting inside before his shot was saved by Matz Sels in the Forest net.

Jota continued to lead Liverpool’s push for a winner but was once again halted by the brilliance of Sels, who spread himself wide and produced a wonderful save from close range with just over 10 minutes to play.

Forest were not ready to give up on a famous victory though as Elanga’s ball across the goal just evaded Jota Silva inside the six-yard box.

Mohamed Salah then looked to have finally found his shooting boots on 88 minutes but could not convert three great chances, the first two by virtue of another Sels save and a block on the line by Ola Aina, before he could not keep a left-footed volley down.

Belgian stopper Sels was on hand to keep the scores level late on again as Dominik Szoboszlai’s long-range strike was tipped just past the post in stoppage time.




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