Bramall Lane
Championship
Friday 4th March 2022
Sheffield United 1
Nottingham Forest 1
 |
| Ryan Yates wheels away in celebration after his equaliser. (Image: Getty) |
Ryan Yates was the hero for Nottingham Forest as Steve Cooper’s men scored yet another last gasp goal to steal a point at Bramall Lane; as two sides repeated the 1-1 scoreline they played out back in November.
A share of the spoils in South Yorkshire sees Sheffield United, temporarily, move into the playoffs, and a point for Forest sees them move within two places of the playoffs. However, clubs around them are still to play this weekend.
The first half was dominated by the visitors and they went close to opening the scoring after less than a minute. Aston Villa loanee Keinan Davis found youngster Brennan Johnson just outside the area. The 20-year-old cut inside onto his weaker left foot before taking aim, and forcing home goalkeeper Wes Foderingham to turn the ball behind.
Davis again helped set-up an opportunity for Forest. He slipped in behind fellow loanee Philip Zinckernagel, but Foderingham was quick off the line to deny the Dane’s effort from an acute angle.
Just after the half hour mark Forest were given a huge opportunity to break the deadlock. Djed Spence burst into the area before being bundled over by Rhys Norrington-Davies, resulting in a penalty kick for the visitors. However, Wales international Johnson saw his tame penalty straight at Foderingham saved with ease by the Blades goalkeeper.
Following a dominate first half display Forest started the second period in similar fashion. Experienced defender Steve Cook was unlucky not to open his account for Forest, as he saw his header, from a James Garner corner, come crashing off the crossbar.
Then with just over 20 minutes to play the hosts stole an arguably undeserved lead as former Forest loanee Billy Sharp came back to haunt his old club. Morgan Gibbs-White whipped a delightful ball to the far post where Sharp rose to head home into the far corner. This being the experienced striker’s 13th strike of the season as he leads the Sheffield United goal scoring charts.
The hosts just couldn’t hold on and in injury time they conceded their first home goal since October, as Ryan Yates headed into the far corner from a Garner delivery for his fifth goal of the campaign. This was also the eighth time that Forest have struck in injury time this season.
A point for Sheffield United sees them stretch their unbeaten home run. Paul Heckingbottom’s men last lost on home turf back in October against Blackpool. Yates late strike however denied the Blades a 15th clean sheet of the season. Meanwhile for Nottingham Forest their wait for a win at Bramall Lane goes on, with their last win at this ground coming back in 2004. However, on the plus side a draw sees Steve Cooper’s men go six games unbeaten in all competitions.
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