EPL: Nottingham Forest Drops Points in 1-1 Draw with Burnley

Forest fails to hold onto lead, draws 1-1 with Burnley

Neco Williams' early goal wasn't enough for Forest, as Burnley equalized to earn a draw. Nottingham Forest surrendered a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with Burnley in a closely contested match.

Burnley continued to press for an equalizer, coming agonizingly close to scoring just before halftime...

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo's side surrendered a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with Burnley in a resilient display. The visitors took the lead but failed to hold onto it, earning just their second point in five games. Forest have now won only one of their last 10 visits to Turf Moor.

Burnley earned praise for their performance against Liverpool last weekend, but they self-destructed early in this match. However, they managed to level the score and secure a draw, showcasing their resilience. The point earned by Burnley was their first under new manager Vincent Kompany's tenure wasn't on display in this match's early stages.

Let's correct that to fit Postecoglou isn't involved here: Nottingham Forest earned a point but would've liked three after taking the lead. Burnley showed mettle to rescue a point.

Burnley fight back for a point at Turf Moor 💪 pic.twitter.com/BfjcX1F1AT

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 20, 2025

Nottingham Forest took the lead just moments into the match, with Neco Williams hammering a half-cleared corner into the roof of the net. The Clarets responded well to the setback, and they narrowly missed out on equalizing within the first 15 minutes. Florentino Luis, making his full debut, set up Quilindschy Hartman down the left flank, and Hartman's half-volley was expertly saved by Matz Sels.

Burnley eventually got the reward they were looking for, capitalizing on their pressure to level the score. The Clarets' persistence paid off, and they managed to find an equalizer, turning the momentum of the game in their favor.

Quilindschy Hartman's delivery into the Forest box caused chaos, and Jaidon Anthony managed to get a goal-bound effort on target. However, Oleksandr Zinchenko was bundled over the line in an attempt to block the shot, and the ball wasn't cleared. The incident seemed to galvanize Forest, and they created a scoring opportunity through Dilane Bakwa. But Martin Dubravka made a stunning one-handed save, tipping away Bakwa's curling effort and denying Forest a chance to retake the lead.

The match remained intense, with both teams creating half-chances. Burnley's persistence ultimately paid off as they equalized, capitalizing on Forest's momentary lapse in concentration. The equalizer reflected Burnley's growing confidence and ability to respond to adversity. 

Burnley continued to press for an equalizer, coming agonizingly close to scoring just before halftime. Loum Tchaouna's free kick rattled against the crossbar, narrowly evading the goal. The Clarets' efforts ultimately paid off, albeit not before the break.

The second half got underway with promise for Forest, but it was Burnley who nearly capitalized. Just 21 seconds in, Lyle Foster set up an enormous chance for Nathaniel Anthony, but the striker's shot was denied by Matz Sels' legs, preserving Forest's lead.

As the match reached the hour mark, Jaidon Anthony and Matz Sels clashed again, with Anthony unleashing a powerful long-range shot. However, Sels, playing cautiously in the torrential Turf Moor rain, punched the effort away to safety. The game then experienced a significant lull, with both teams appearing jaded and struggling to create scoring opportunities.

Seizing the opportunity to inject new energy, Ange Postecoglou made a triple substitution 15 minutes from the end. This tactical move aimed to give Nottingham Forest the authority needed to secure a win. Despite the changes, the match remained tightly contested, with neither team able to capitalize on their chances.