Sheffield United 1-1 Nottingham Forest (EFL Championship) 04.03.22

Nottingham Forest came back from brink of defeat to gain a vital draw in the playoff race last night as Ryan Yates header deep into stoppage time earned the Reds a share of the spoils in Sheffield.

Despite their scare of near defeat, Forest played well and had chances in the first half with Djed Spence going down inside the box giving Brennan Johnson the perfect opportunity from the spot to give the away side the lead.

Johnson’s penalty fired straight at Foderingham on 32 who managed to keep it out to the delight of the home fans.

Steve Cook might have made amends for Forest not taking their first half chances, just before the hour as his towering header from a corner crashed against the crossbar and that was punished just ten minutes later, former Red Billy Sharp rising highest to head home brilliantly, Morgan Gibbs-White’s deep centre.

Sharp could have made it 2-0 but for a brilliant stop by Horvath before the goalkeeper denied Jebbison on stoppage time. As time looked to be running out for Forest a late corner by Garner was swung into the box where Ryan Yates came racing in to head home and give Forest an unlikely point to the roar of red in the away end.

The point good enough to take Sheffield United into the playoff places on goal difference above Luton who play an equally as important match against Middlesbrough today. Forest now up to eighth and two points below the top six, whilst it might not have been the result the Reds came to Sheffield for, it’s certainly one they’ll be relieved to be taking back down the M1.

Head Coach Steve Cooper was delighted with the performance from his players above the result, saying after “My focus is on how well we played. The least we deserved was a draw, but I’m really proud of how the team played and I’m disappointed that we’ve not won.

“We were far the superior team, we looked the more confident team. There was a big crowd and Sheffield United have real strength in depth in their squad, so to come and play like that, there can only be positives.

“I said to the boys that if we keep playing that, you’ll win more games than you lose.”

Next up for Nottingham Forest is the small matter of an FA Cup round five tie against in-form Huddersfield Town at the world famous on Monday night.

Sheffield United: Foderingham, Davies, Egan, Robinson, Seriki (Osborn 67), Norwood (Jebbison 67), Fleck, Norrington, Berge, Gibbs-White, Sharp (McBurnie 84).

Nottingham Forest: Horvath, Worrall, Cook, McKenna (Surridge 79), Spence, Garner, Colback (Lolley 89), Yates, Zinckernagel (Mighten 85), Johnson, Davis.

Venue: Bramall Lane

*Main image @NFFC Ryan Yates and Joe Worrall celebrate a late equaliser.