AFC Bournemouth (H) 24/05/26

Nottingham Forest 1-1 AFC Bournemouth

Gibbs-White 34'                           Tavernier 54'

55 games played, just one left to go: Bournemouth at home. After a relegation battle, four managers and a European semi-final, it was now time to draw this rollercoaster of a season to a close.

Despite a chaotic season, Forest were going into the final day stress free. Their battle was finished two match weeks ago when they secured Premier League survival thanks to a 1-1 draw against Newcastle, followed by a favour from Arsenal who narrowly beat West Ham 1-0 in the later kick off. They have ended the season extremely positively, only losing one out of their last ten in the league. This one loss came last weekend at Old Trafford when they were controversially beaten 3-2 by Manchester United, as one of the hosts’ goals struck the arm of Bryan Mbuemo in the build-up. Vitor Pereira named two changes from this game as Cunha replaced Netz and Sangare came in for Dominguez. Bournemouth also come into this one on a brilliant run of form. They are on a 17 league game unbeaten streak, as their last loss in the Premier League came back in January to eventual champions, Arsenal. This run was extended midweek against Manchester City as they drew 1-1. However, a point was enough for them to guarantee European football next season. In his last game with the club, Iraola originally named the same side from this fixture. Alex Scott got injured in the warm-up, meaning he was forced to replaced Toth with the Englishman.

The Cherries confirmed their European qualification against City, but which competition they were playing in was still yet to be decided. Most of the league was pre-decided due to prior games but this European race was still ongoing. Bournemouth were going into the game in sixth but if other results went their way, they could qualify for the Champions League. They would be confident going into this fixture as Forest last beat the Cherries in 2015. In the reverse fixture, Bournemouth won 2-0, extending their unbeaten run against the Reds to eleven games.

The story of the first half was shots from outside the box going over the bar, for both sides. Bournemouth did dominate before the water break, but they couldn’t punish Forest’s mistakes. Their best chance came as Sels’ clearance bounced off the chest of Hutchinson and into the path of Adams, deep into the Forest half. He turned, took a few touches and let fly from 25 yards out but his effort flew narrowly wide of the top left corner.

After the thirty minute mark, the game started to liven up. On the break, Hutchinson played a ball into the right channel, hoping Jesus would run onto it; the Brazilian did, getting the better of Adams. He cut inside and broke into the box before shooting from fifteen yards. Petrovic got down well to parry the save out for a corner. Just minutes later, the hosts had another opportunity; this one was probably one they should’ve taken! Hutchinson and Anderson linked up from a short corner on the right before the latter whipped in a delightful ball. An unmarked Wood rose up to meet it at the far post but he could only hit the crossbar.

Despite being the poorer side in the opening half, Forest found themselves ahead through a bit of magic. Gibbs-White was fouled around 20 yards out from goal by Hill, winning his side a free kick. Hutchinson stood over the ball and rolled it back to Gibbs-White who was running onto the ball behind him. Gibbs-White took the finish first time and through all the bodies in the box, brilliantly found the bottom left corner. Another goal to show Thomas Tuchel why he should’ve picked him. Bournemouth just did not re-find their spark after the drinks break and they were made to pay.

However, they did find it after half time, bursting out the blocks. It didn’t take them long to find the lead after that. Tavernier played the ball down the left for Truffert to run onto, which he did, beating Cunha to the ball. When Truffert got to the byline, he was helped by a slip from Cunha, so he turned back and weighed up his options. Tavernier made an unmarked run into the box, which was seen by the Frenchman. The midfielder ran onto the ball, taking the shot first time and firing into the net to level the score.

Bournemouth continued to exploit that left side of the pitch, knowing Cunha was struggling.  The Cherries’ goalscorer received the ball on the halfway line and was allowed to drive forward 25 yards as no one game to engage him. Morato finally stepped out so Tavernier passed to Junior Kroupi in the top left corner of the box. The youngster’s touch slightly took the ball away from him but he recovered and cut back inside, before firing an effort at goal. Sels was equal to the shot, getting a brilliant hand to it. Pereira noticed the visitors were sniffing for a second and getting past Cunha was their most likely route, so he made the substitution. Netz came on for Cunha, meaning Williams moved over to right back.

This switch calmed Forest down and the game completely slowed down. In the remaining half an hour, there was only one real chance for either side. Hutchinson drove down the right before breaking into the box. Once he did, he lofted a ball to Gibbs-White at the far post. He hit the ball on the volley but Smith bravely got in front of the shot to make a crucial block. As for Bournemouth, they were awarded a free-kick around thirty yards out. Unal was tasked with taking it but his effort was tipped over by Sels.

The game ended level and after the other games’ results, Bournemouth would be playing in the Europa League next season. If Forest do the transfer window right, they can be back up there fighting for those European spots next campaign. Vitor Pereira agrees, sending the message to Forest fans that they ‘will be stronger’ next season before the lap of appreciation. Forest also announced the fan’s player of the season was Neco Williams, which was very well deserved. He too reassured supporters that they will be back competing for those places soon.

Wow, what a season! There’s been many highs and many lows but we’ve made it through, securing our Premier League status and making it to the Europa League semi-final. As for today’s game, it was a pretty boring watch. I think a draw was fair as both teams had spells where they dominated. Our goal was really nicely worked and we’ve finally scored from a set-piece in what feels like forever. The defending was really poor, especially from Hutchinson, for Bournemouth’s goal but we had nothing to play for after a long season, on top of the heat. That will be something we need to work on for next season though. My man of the match was probably yet again Anderson. I think that was his final game in the Garibaldi and he’ll be such a miss as there is no one like him right now. However, if we keep other players like Gibbs-White and Murillo and add a few quality signings, we will really kick on under Pereira next season and be back up fighting where we belong.

After reflecting, this season’s highlight has to be Real Betis away. My first European away day; a day I never thought would happen. Although I was in Seville, it still didn’t hit me that I was watching Forest in Europe until the Europa League anthem was playing. It was such a brilliant experience travelling with my family abroad to watch the Reds and I’ve made memories to last a lifetime. I can’t wait for more days like those.

Thank you for all the support this season. See you in August!

Forest: Sels; Williams, Morato, Milenkovic, Cunha (Netz 63’); Sangare (Yates 65’), Anderson (Dominguez 65’); Gibbs-White, Jesus, Hutchinson (McAtee 78’); Wood (Awoniyi 62’)

AFC Bournemouth: Petrovic; Truffert, Senesi, Hill, Smith (Cook 90’); Rayan (Kluivert 73’), Toth (Gannon-Doak 57’), Adams, Tavernier; Evanilson (Unal 73’), Junior Kroupi (Adli 73’)