Nottingham Forest 2-2 Wolves: Gio Reyna starts, assists but Forest stay stuck in relegation scrap
There were a few good reasons for Nottingham Forest fans to be hopeful and happy on Saturday, but in the end they departed the City Ground still wanting needing more following a 2-2 draw with Wolves.
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The result means Nottingham Forest (26 points) will finish matchweek 33 still in 17th place, but now a point above 18th-place Luton Town, who still occupy the third and final relegation place and were thumped by Manchester City. The Hatters are now eight goals worse than the Tricky Trees in the goal difference column.
Wolves went ahead through Matheus Cunha's 8th Premier League goal of the season not long before halftime, but Forest pulled level before the break as Gio Reyna marked his first start for the club with his first assist as well, finding Morgan Gibbs-White's head with a free kick in stoppage time. Danilo scored a scrappy goal to make it 2-1 to the home side in the 57th, but Cunha struck again five minutes later as he inches toward double-digit goals in his first full season at Wolves.
A performance that Gio Reyna can build on
Gio Reyna made his first start since joining Forest in January, and he was much better than you'd expect from a player who hadn't started a game (for club) since Nov. 1. The USMNT star, who is somehow still just 21 years old, had played 271 minutes in 15 substitute appearances since his last start, without a single goal or assist in that five-and-a-half-month stretch. Safe to say, Reyna needed this one.
Not only did he tally his first assist for Forest, but he was smart and decisive in possession throughout, he carried the ball 15-20 yards forward on a number of occasions, and he generally made all the right plays when picking where, and when, to pass. Playing as one of three attacking midfielders behind Chris Wood could suit Reyna quite well going forward, with the big man working hard to knock down and lay off balls to the likes of Reyna, Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi (as it was on Saturday). Final verdict: Give him another start, Nuno. And then another. And another.
What’s next?
Nottingham Forest will continue their fight against relegation with an all-important trip to Goodison Park to face 16th-place Everton (29 points) next Sunday (8:30 am ET). Wolves will host Premier League leaders Arsenal at Molineux Stadium on Saturday (2:30 pm ET).
Player ratings - Nottingham Forest vs Wolves
Nottingham Forest vs Wolves highlights, final score: 2-2
Goalscorers: Matheus Cunha (40', 62'), Morgan Gibbs-White (45'+1), Danilo (57')
40th minute - GOAL - Matheus Cunha goes alone, scores a beauty to put Wolves on top
45th minute +1 - GOAL - Gio Reyna assists Morgan Gibbs-White for Forest’s equalizer
57th minute - GOAL - Danilo scores a scrappy one to energize the City Ground
62nd minute - GOAL - Matheus Cunha scores his second to pull Wolves level
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET Saturday (April 13)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch live on NBC.com
Nottingham Forest starting lineup
Sels — Williams, Omobamidele, Murillo, Aina — Yates, Danilo, Gibbs-White — Reyna, Hudson-Odoi, Wood
Wolves starting lineup
Sa — Bueno, Kilman, Gomes — Lemina, Gomes, Semedo, Dohert — Sarabia, Cunha, Doyle
Nottingham Forest focus, team news
Wood will lead the line and Forest are very dangerous on the counter with Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi and Elanga in full flow and ready to feed off of direct balls forward. Forest have to keep improving defensively because they can score a lot of goals. If they can keep it tight at the back they will stay up.
OUT: Taiwo Awoniyi (undisclosed), Nuno Tavares (thigh), Willy Boly (muscle)
Wolves focus, team news
Attacking injuries have impacted Wolves in recent weeks as they've scored just four goals in their last five games. O'Neil's plan is to win the ball back in central areas and spring counters and there could be a good chance of exposing Forest's defense as their home fans urge them to take more risks.
OUT: Pedro Neto (hamstring), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Hee-chan Hwang (hamstring), Rayan Ait-Nouri (calf)
