Anthony’s scruffy equaliser in a Turf Moor downpour denies Postecoglou first Forest win
Under torrents of rain and a raucous Turf Moor soundtrack, Burnley and Nottingham Forest traded blows in a 1-1 draw that kept Ange Postecoglou waiting for his first Forest victory. Neco Williams exploded the afternoon into life with a second‑minute strike, only for Jaidon Anthony to level 18 minutes later when his scuffed effort was helped over the line by Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Both sides had spells of control and both goalkeepers were central figures. Forest’s Matz Sels denied Anthony soon after half-time, while Burnley’s Martin Dubravka preserved parity late on, thwarting Igor Jesus and Williams in quick succession. A point apiece felt about right after a contest that was as open as the skies above it.
A lightning start, then a soggy twist
Forest struck before Burnley could settle. From an inswinging corner that the hosts failed to fully clear, Williams crashed a thumping, deflected effort into the roof of the net inside two minutes. It captured the aggressive tempo and front‑foot intent Postecoglou is trying to ingrain.
Burnley’s response was swift and decisive on the 20‑minute mark. Quilindschy Hartman surged down the left and delivered; after a first challenge was repelled, the loose ball broke for Anthony. His tame, guided shot was scrambling back toward goal when Zinchenko, trying to recover, dragged it over the line. The goal went to Anthony, but the messiness told the story of a leveller forced by Burnley’s persistence.
Burnley bite back and seize the initiative
The equaliser tilted momentum. Scott Parker’s side began to find joy in transitions and set‑pieces, and Loum Tchaouna almost capped the turnaround when his free‑kick from around 25 yards cannoned off the crossbar just before the interval. Forest, bright early on, were suddenly asked to weather the storm in more ways than one.
After the break Burnley returned with intent. Anthony, dovetailing neatly with Lyle Foster, forced Sels into a sharp save, and moments later Tchaouna whipped a teasing ball across the six‑yard box that somehow evaded everyone in green.
Forest’s fluency meets a Claret wall
Forest knitted together some of their best football either side of the interval. A slick, one‑touch move released Dilane Bakwa whose rasping drive drew a fine fingertip stop from Dubravka, then Chris Wood found space for a presentable chance only to finish tamely at the goalkeeper. Withdrawn later, the New Zealander was serenaded by boos from fans of his former club.
Postecoglou’s changes upped the late pressure. Substitute Igor Jesus saw a close‑range header clawed away by Dubravka at full stretch; Williams’ low volley was also smothered. When Arnaud Kalimuendo sniffed a back‑post opening, Hartman threw himself in the way, and in stoppage time Morgan Gibbs‑White’s tame effort drifted into Dubravka’s grasp.
Managers’ verdict and the road ahead
Postecoglou took encouragement from Forest’s control in phases and the number of chances fashioned, while lamenting the moments when his team lost their grip and allowed Burnley’s transitions to bite. He noted that Forest already look a different side to a week ago and felt they created enough to win.
Parker praised Burnley’s character, the way they flipped the game after an early punch and then survived under heavy late fire. He called the contest competitive and judged a draw a fair reflection, highlighting the togetherness that carried his side through the worst of Forest’s pressure.
The result leaves Postecoglou winless in three as Forest boss, part of a five‑game winless run overall, though his team edge up to 14th. Burnley rise to 16th and continue to lean on home resilience. Next up, Forest return to Europe for the first time in 30 years with a Europa League trip to Real Betis before hosting Sunderland, while Burnley host Cardiff City in the EFL Cup and then visit Manchester City in the league.