Dominic Solanke scored a hat trick for Bournemouth as the Cherries ruined the start of the Nuno Espirito Santo era at Nottingham Forest with a 3-2 win over the 10-man Tricky Trees at the City Ground on Saturday.
Forest was down a man before the half-hour mark after a controversial second yellow card to Willy Boly, but led through Anthony Elanga just after the break.
Solanke got the first of his goals four minutes later, however, and had it 2-1 before Chris Wood restored level terms for Forest. Solanke bagged the winner deep in stoppage time with a looping header.
WATCH NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs BOURNEMOUTH FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Forest cut ties with Steve Cooper this week, hiring ex-Wolves boss Espirito Santo to get the club away from the bottom three and closer to the top-half of the table.
The Tricky Trees sit 17th on the Premier League table, just two points clear of the bottom three. Bournemouth’s onto 22 points, good for 11th.
Forest show fight for Nuno after dicey red card
Willy Boly was on a yellow card when he won the ball with a sliding challenge but was sent off by Rob Jones for contact following the clearance.
It was harsh, no doubt, and Forest had to play more than an hour with 10 men.
The Tricky Trees fought plenty for new boss Nuno Espirito Santo, leading 1-0 and finding an equalizer for 2-2, and that’s all we can really judge from this one.
No, Forest did not defend well at all but that was a long time to be down a man. We learned nothing about what Nuno Espirito Santo will want to bring to the City Ground, but we did see some character from the hosts.
Bournemouth has a real chance to finish top half this season, as Andoni Iraola’s team is playing solid football and Dominic Solanke finishing at a career-best clip.
What’s next?
Forest is off to slumping Newcastle at 7:30am ET Tuesday, then host Manchester United at 12:30pm ET on Dec. 30.
Bournemouth host Fulham at 10am ET Tuesday before a Dec. 31 morning trip to Tottenham.
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth final score: 3-2
Goals: Elanga (47'), Solanke (51', 58', 90+4'), Wood (75')
Red card: Boly (23')
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Chris Wood levels it up! (goal video)
Forest’s big Kiwi rises high to meet a corner kick.
His header takes a turn off Luis Sinisterra but it will probably stay as Wood’s goal, not an o.g.
2-2 for the 10-man Tricky Trees.
Dominic Solanke scores his second
A loose ball pops into the air and Solanke reacts quickly to snap home the Cherries’ second.
Quickfire goals see it 1-1
Nuno Espirito Santo is getting the full Forest treatment in his first game in charge.
Anthony Elanga combines well with Chris Wood to put Forest ahead, but the Tricky Trees quickly give the lead back.
It’s Dominic Solanke for the Cherries, and it’s level at one with Bournemouth up a man and looking at another 40 minutes or so to find a winner at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth halftime
The red card hasn’t led to much yet, though Antoine Semenyo had a decent chance in stoppage time.
There have been 12 shots with five on target, the Cherries leading 7-5 and 3-2 respectively while holding 70& possession.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth, stream link, TV channel
Kickoff: 10am ET Saturday
Odds: Forest (+180) vs Bournemouth (+145) | Draw (+240)
TV Channel/Stream: Watch online via Peacock Premium
Nottingham Forest lineup
Your Reds for #NFOBOU ✊
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 23, 2023
Bournemouth lineup
Our team for #NFOBOU 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hLYs0caH8P
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 23, 2023
Focus on Nottingham Forest, team news
OUT: Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Ibrahim Sangare (adductor), Felipe (undisclosed), Serge Aurier (calf)
Focus on Bournemouth, team news
OUT: Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Lloyd Kelly (thigh), Hamed Traore (illness), Maximillian Aarons (hamstring), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Antoine Semenyo (knock), Milos Kerkez (ankle), Darren Randolph (illness)
