Forest and Birmingham in stalemate

Published on: 26 December 2020

Forest had the better of a first half in which Birmingham did not manage an effort on goal

Struggling Nottingham Forest extended their unbeaten run to three games as Birmingham City boss Aitor Karanka steered his side to a draw on a forgettable return to the City Ground.

Forest had the better of the first half, with Ryan Yates going closest with a fierce strike that drew a fine reaction save from goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Blues improved after the interval, playing with greater urgency and could have taken all the points when Ivan Sanchez curled an effort narrowly wide.

But neither side were able to create many clear chances as Birmingham, who were thrashed 4-1 by Middlesbrough last time out, ensured they ended a three-game losing run to stay five points clear of their opponents.

    Relive Boxing Day's EFL action

Forest, who are now two points above third-from-bottom Derby County and Rotherham United in 21st place, also had a late chance to take all the points when centre-half Tobias Figueiredo was denied by Etheridge.

However, that was just about their only noteworthy attempt as they failed to build on a decent first 45 minutes that saw Yates and Sammy Ameobi go close and Blues unable to muster a strike on target.

An improved Birmingham had the better opportunities thereafter but, although Brice Samba was the busier of the two keepers, his saves were all fairly regulation.

    Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text

Line-upsNottm Forest

    30Samba2Christie3Figueiredo4Worrall5RibeiroBooked at 36mins22YatesBooked at 90mins21SowSubstituted forTaylorat 61'minutes11AmeobiSubstituted forKnockaertat 61'minutes18Ribeiro Dias17MightenSubstituted forLolleyat 68'minutes7GrabbanBooked at 64mins

Substitutes

    6Mbe Soh12Smith13Bong16Jenkinson19Guerrero23Lolley28Knockaert31Arter33Taylor

Birmingham

    30Etheridge2ColinBooked at 89mins4Roberts12Dean5Friend8ClaytonBooked at 42mins34Sunjic17Sánchez35HalilovicSubstituted forGardnerat 45'minutes11Bela9HoganSubstituted forJutkiewiczat 90+3'minutes

Substitutes

    1Prieto3Pedersen6Kieftenbeld10Jutkiewicz14Leko18McGree19San José20Gardner25Dacres-Cogley

Referee:Jeremy SimpsonMatch StatsHome TeamNottm ForestAway TeamBirminghamPossessionHome56%Away44%ShotsHome14Away8Shots on TargetHome6Away3CornersHome7Away3FoulsHome11Away18Live TextPost update

Match ends, Nottingham Forest 0, Birmingham City 0.

90'+7'Full Time

Second Half ends, Nottingham Forest 0, Birmingham City 0.

90'+3'Post update

Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'+3'Post update

Foul by Harlee Dean (Birmingham City).

90'+3'Substitution

Substitution, Birmingham City. Lukas Jutkiewicz replaces Scott Hogan.

90'+2'Booking

Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card.

90'+2'Post update

Foul by Yuri Ribeiro (Nottingham Forest).

90'+2'Post update

Scott Hogan (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'+1'Post update

Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by George Friend.

90'+1'Post update

Attempt blocked. Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lyle Taylor.

90'+1'Post update

Joe Worrall (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'+1'Post update

Foul by Scott Hogan (Birmingham City).

90'Post update

Attempt saved. Tobias Figueiredo (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Joe Worrall.

89'Booking

Maxime Colin (Birmingham City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

89'Post update

Joe Lolley (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing.

89'Post update

Foul by Maxime Colin (Birmingham City).

88'Post update

Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Harlee Dean.

87'Post update

Offside, Birmingham City. Harlee Dean tries a through ball, but Maxime Colin is caught offside.

84'Post update

Lyle Taylor (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

84'Post update

Foul by Marc Roberts (Birmingham City).

Page 1 of 6rewindpreviousNavigate to the next pagenextNavigate to the last pageforward

Source: bbc.com

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more