Nottingham Forest vs Reading. Sky Bet Championship.
The City Ground.
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Nottingham Forest and Reading at the City Ground as Yakou Meite's late goal earned Veljko Paunovic's Royals a draw on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday 13 March 2021 18:44, UK
Substitute Yakou Meite's late equaliser helped Reading secure a 1-1 Championship draw at Nottingham Forest as the Royals failed to bolster their promotion push with all three points.
Chris Hughton's side took the lead when Reading defender Tom Holmes forced the ball into the back of his own net, as he looked to prevent Glenn Murray from applying the vital touch to Sammy Ameobi's cross four minutes after half-time.
Meite's leveller did not come until the 81st minute but it was Veljko Paunovic's side who looked the more likely to grab a winner, as they spurned several late opportunities to secure a fourth-straight league victory.
The match burst into life when Gaetan Bong whipped in a cross from the left to perfectly pick out Murray. His former Brighton team-mate conjured up a clever flick, but goalkeeper Rafael Cabral clawed the ball away.
Lucas Joao was allowed to charge right down the centre - with the Forest defence backing off - but Brice Samba was able to hold his low shot.
A flurry of action culminated in Joe Lolley cutting in from the left and lashing a shot just wide for Forest. The winger subsequently sustained what looked like a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Anthony Knockaert in the 34th minute.
Forest had a let off when a clever corner routine ended with a great chance for Joao as he failed to properly connect with a shot but, as the ball dribbled towards goal, the Forest defence was static and he almost caught up with the ball himself, before seeing it bounce off the foot of the post.
The second half began with Michael Olise curling a free-kick around the Forest wall - but Samba was well placed to save. Forest responded immediately as Filip Krovinovic headed a Knockaert cross firmly into the side netting.
Forest did take the lead four minutes into the second half after James Garner had picked out Ameobi with a fine ball out to the right.
The winger beat Omar Richards before lashing a low ball across goal. Murray and defender Holmes stretched to connect and it was hard to judge who got the final touch.
George Puscas missed a great chance to draw Reading level almost immediately after, and goalkeeper Cabral had to make a smart save to deny Forest a second goal after Ameobi had cut inside before hitting a powerful shot.
Ameobi flashed another shot wide as the home side continued to spurn chances. Andy Yiadom was then denied by the post as Reading pushed for an equaliser, while Joao sent a header over.
Joao had a role to play in the Reading equaliser as he picked out Miete, who beat Samba with a fine strike.
Holmes might have won it for the visitors, who mounted significant pressure, but he sent a free header wide at the far post as the spoils were shared.
Nottingham Forest's Chris Hughton: "I think we are happy with a point in the end. We had a period where I felt we were going to hold on for the win. They made offensive changes and they have very good players,. But I thought we were always in the game. We had decent periods - even if they looked more threatening at times.
"I still thought we were going to win it; I thought we would stay strong but they have quality and sometimes you have to appreciate that, with the quality they have in front of goal, it was another game where we have not conceded a lot of goals. The question is whether we can go on and win these games - and that is the next part for us."
Reading's Veljko Paunovic: "I am not happy about ending our run of three clean sheets. That is something we will have to look at, the manner in which we conceded the goal. But we reacted well to that; we created so many opportunities. We could have won the game.
"The equaliser came very late. We spent so much energy trying to get the equaliser. But even after that, we had pressure. But we were not clinical and that was the key. I am happy with the attitude, with our identity and character. But I am not happy with the draw. I cannot help it, but it feels as though we lost the game."
