Nuno makes 'obvious' penalty point after controversial decision in Nottingham Forest defeat

Penalty claim… Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo was left perplexed as to why Nottingham Forest were not awarded a penalty in their 3-2 defeat at home to Newcastle United.

The Reds twice came from behind to level with goals from Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi. And at 2-2, in what was a key moment in the game, they argued they should have had a spot-kick.

Just past the hour mark, Taiwo Awoniyi felt he was brought down by the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Referee Anthony Taylor waved away the appeals and a VAR check also went against the hosts. It proved to be a turning point as Bruno Guimaraes went on to net the winner with his second goal of the game.

“Yes, clearly we should have had a penalty. I saw it over and over again. For me, it is a clear penalty,” Nuno said.

“I think Anthony Taylor maybe doesn’t have a clear view of the incident because it is from behind. But when you have the chance to have VAR check it and see the replays, I think it is so obvious. That is why I don’t understand the decision of not giving the penalty.

“I think it was a defining moment because we came from behind twice, which is very hard against a very good team. You then have a clear chance to be in front.

“We don’t know what would have happened but it clearly changes the game. After all the effort of the boys and how well they were doing things, that was a decisive moment.”

Guimaraes had opened the scoring at the City Ground but Elanga levelled, and then Hudson-Odoi did the same just before the break as he cancelled out Fabian Schar’s strike. Forest did push to get back on level terms again in the closing minutes but another goal would not come.

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