Nottingham Forest 0-1 Cardiff City (EFL Championship) 30.11.19

Nottingham Forest were beaten at home against Cardiff City by an early Nathaniel Mendez-Laing strike in a blow to the red’s promotion challenge.

Forest had the lions share of the possession and attacked for long periods but despite creating a number of chances with 32 goal attempts just 2 were on target for Sabri Lamouchi’s men.

The defeat means Forest are now seven points behind second placed West Brom in the automatic promotion places with the reds still in fourth place two points clear of Brentford who are a place outside the playoff zone.

Forest started brightly on a foggy grey day Trentside but it was the away side re-rejuvenated in recent weeks under new Manager Neil Harris who took the lead when Mendez-Laing curled into the bottom corner on 14 minutes.

The Bluebirds looked the more confident team in the first half with Forest rarely testing Etheridge in the away teams goal until Ameobi drove straight at him on 42.

The Reds had a penalty appeal turned down five minutes into the second half when Carvalho’s shot seemed to hit the arm of a defender but referee Robert Jones waved play on to the home teams discontent. Two minutes later Junior Hoillett could have put Cardiff 2-0 when his effort was blocked on the line by Joe Worrall and cleared from danger.

Forest pushed as first Watson, then Semedo shot over and with fifteen minutes remaining Robinson curled wide as Forest through everything at Cardiff for an equaliser.

It wasn’t to be though as the away side dug in to keep their unbeaten record under Harris and spoil the Forest party after some recent good form.

Manager Sabri Lamouchi said after the match “It is a big disappointment because it’s another loss at home, after all the good work we have put in.”

“The numbers are clear and we know that we can do more than that. We just need to try and get more shots on target but we created big chances.”

“We have taken points in some difficult stadiums and at home we need more consistency and unfortunately tonight we missed too many chances.”

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Cash, Figueiredo, Worrall, Robinson (Mir 80), Watson, Silva, Carvalho (Semedo 66), Lolley, Grabban, Ameobi (Adomah 75).

Cardiff City: Etheridge, Peltier, Flint, Nelson, Bennett, Bacuna, Pack, Mendez-Laing (Paterson 80), Tomlin, Hoilett (Morrison 86), Madine (Ward 67).

Venue: City Ground (28,209)

*Main image @NFFC a disappointing day for Forest at the City Ground.