Ipswich Nottingham Forest 1-1 at Portman Road on Friday night, a result that left both sides with a single point and Forest still searching for a second Premier League win of the season. Neco Williams put the visitors ahead, Julio Enciso equalised, and a contentious VAR review of Issa Diop’s challenge on James McAtee dominated the post-match discussion.
Williams strikes before Enciso responds
Forest, the division’s lowest scorers before kick-off and the side most often held without a goal, started with intent. Their breakthrough came from a familiar route: Daniel Muñoz overlapped down the right and delivered a cross that found Williams unmarked, and the defender finished low beyond Christian Walton.
Ipswich had chances to respond before the interval. Jaden Philogene forced a save from Matz Sels, and Enciso drew another stop from the Forest goalkeeper. The equaliser arrived when Enciso capitalised on a Nikola Milenkovic error, showing composure to beat Sels. Dara O’Shea’s clearance and Jair Cunha’s loss of possession in the build-up were part of the sequence that led to the goal.
Diop escapes red after VAR review
The flashpoint came when Diop, already booked for a foul on McAtee, challenged the same player as the last defender. Referee Thomas Bramall showed a yellow card, and VAR reviewed the incident but did not recommend a red. The decision stood, and Diop remained on the pitch.
Forest manager Oliver Glasner felt the challenge merited a sending-off. He also made a pointed remark about the VAR officials, suggesting they were not from the East Midlands. Diop, for his part, argued that Leif Davis was covering, so he did not believe it was a red card. Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil said VAR reached the right conclusion.
Second-half chances go begging
The match was played in stormy weather, and eight minutes of injury time were added. Forest had opportunities to reclaim the lead. Murillo missed a free header from a corner, and Callum Hudson-Odoi spurned a late chance. Those misses meant Forest’s failings in front of goal cost them again, while Ipswich rode their luck to earn a point.
Liam Delap, who left Ipswich for Chelsea, was barracked by the home fans throughout. His presence served as a reminder of Ipswich’s failed survival mission last season, but under O’Neil they are not the soft touch they were under Kieran McKenna.
Managers disagree on performance and result
O’Neil was candid about his side’s display. He said Ipswich were not good enough with the ball, that they had to show another side, and that they can play better. He added that they will often fight for scraps. On the VAR call, he backed the officials.
Glasner took a different view. He said the result did not reflect the performance, that he saw great togetherness, and that he loved what he saw except the result. He admitted he sees no solution but to keep going and is waiting for a click. Forest’s slow starts under Glasner at previous clubs were a concern before the match, and this result will not ease those worries.
Forest's points tally remains a concern
Forest now have six points from eight matches, with just one win this season. Their status and Glasner’s position remain uncertain, and the club’s ownership under Evangelos Marinakis is unlike other clubs. Wednesday marked the anniversary of Sean Dyche’s appointment, and his tenure lasted 100 days, a reminder of the volatility that can surround managerial roles.
For Ipswich, the point is a small step in their aim to establish themselves in the Premier League. They showed resilience to come from behind and had Walton to thank for some saves, but O’Neil knows his side must improve with the ball. The draw leaves both teams with plenty to ponder as the season progresses.
