Three talking points from Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Manchester United

Three talking points as Nottingham Forest’s set-piece woes continued in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United, a performance with positive signs but that proves Sean Dyche still has much work to do. George Edwards was at the match

When Nicolò Savona appeared from nowhere and edged Nottingham Forest in front just minutes into the second half against Manchester United, the City Ground felt like it believed once again.

The spearheading way in which the Reds came out in the second half replicated the spirit and fearlessness Forest displayed during their historic year last season, rampant and with confidence brewing.

Turning the game around in the blink of an eye was a refreshing sight to behold in a season where Forest have too often shrunk in the second half and failed to build on their first-half foundation.

In that moment, it felt like Forest could get three, four or five. They were back to fearing nobody, particularly a Manchester United side that remains fickle despite recent success, Forest now unbeaten in four against the Red Devils in the league.

However, that wave of optimism was only a tease, Forest unable to get a third and dominate the half, falling short of the victory but holding out for a draw in a game that largely lacked quality or control for long periods.

Set-piece woes costing Forest once again

If it weren’t for their abhorrent defending of set pieces, we’d be talking about Nottingham Forest getting right back on track with a statement victory over one of the Premier League’s form sides.

Instead, their persisting woes at defending set plays have costed them two valuable and much sought-after points, leaving them four points adrift in the bottom three.

Sean Dyche spoke of his grievances at the award of the corner that led to Manchester United’s opener post-match; the ball – although no completely definitive angle has surfaced – was seemingly kept in by Savona when referee Darren England gave the call United’s way.

However, what followed was completely unacceptable, and has become a recurring theme to Forest’s season, allowing Casemiro a free header as he scored the opener.

The Reds need to find a way to keep their heads during injustice. At Bournemouth last week they displayed the same naivety, Forest seemingly unaware of the threat posed to them following contentious decisions but with only themselves to blame for what follows.

Before Bournemouth it was Sunderland and Midtjylland where Forest felt aggrieved, then conceded moments later.

Every ball into the box seems to cause havoc. United’s second goal stemmed from Forest losing another header at the far post and failing to clear from a corner, resulting in Amad Diallo’s sumptuous strike. And if it wasn’t for a heroic goal-line effort from Murillo and Neco Williams, Forest would have lost the game deep into stoppage time from yet another corner.

Arsenal have shown the importance of set pieces at the elite level, and failing to address the current crisis risks besetting any progress they make in other areas.

Set-piece issues have plagued Forest before, but the signing of Nikola Milenković and the nous of Nuno Espírito Santo transformed them into monsters from dead-ball situations last season. Accepting responsibility and solving this conundrum has to be at the top of Dyche’s priorities; persisting in shifting blame onto referees won’t win Forest points anytime soon.

A collective display, but individuals shone through

Ryan Yates’ bustling performance from the bench proved his worth in a Premier League outfit and showed exactly why he gets selected by every manager that walks through the door.

Yates juxtaposes almost everything about the man he replaced, Douglas Luiz, yet he didn’t once look out of place or ruin Forest’s flow. His battles with Bruno Fernandes are always quite the spectacle. The Portuguese always looks on the brink, but his anger seems to notch up a level when facing Forest and particularly Yates.

His pinpoint ball to the head of Morgan Gibbs-White for Forest’s equaliser was sublime, and his all-round drive and speed on the ball fired Forest on.

Yates wasn’t the only standout – Forest had plenty.

Next to him, Elliot Anderson proved exactly why Forest’s opponents have rumoured interest, and Morgan Gibbs-White was as involved in a game as he has been for a while.

Murillo’s pocketing of Bryan Mbeumo was unsurprising in the least, his aggressive and persistent manner was all too much for the £65m man. Alongside him, Milenković silenced both Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško, which made it even more frustrating to see Forest fall short at set-pieces when their defence from open play was almost faultless.

Savona’s goal was well earned given his continued streak of improved performances. Naturally a centre back, his defensive awareness is obvious, but he looks to have learned the position well and seems a much safer pair of hands than Oleksander Zinchenko does, not bad for a 22-year-old who is new to the league.

And Igor Jesus’s fighting second-half performance showed a side to his game we have yet to see in a red shirt, facing up to the physical battle with Lenny Yoro and winning it more times than not.

Consistency key with an important week ahead

Dyche named the same team for the third successive game, a clear message of consistency forming following the carnage and upheaval that came before him.

From an attacking sense, it still feels there is something missing. A goal is a goal, but the way Forest scored yesterday didn’t feel like the traditional Forest way, lacking an understanding and killer instinct in the final third that became almost second nature last season.

With Europa League action to come on Thursday, changes are likely, especially up front where Arnaud Kalimuendo looks to be the only number nine fully fit and able to play.

Sturm Graz presents a real chance for Forest to really set their stall out in the competition and gain more confidence that they can mirror in the Premier League. That comes before a tasty home tie with Leeds United, a fixture every Forest supporter relishes and one that Forest must be targeting for victory.

The City Ground is starting to feel like a fortress again. The football is starting to feel familiar again. But in order for Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest to reach their best, they must eradicate the silly mistakes and forge consistency in terms of results and style.

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