Premier League English

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch to confront manager

Nuno Espirito Santo following a 2-2 draw against relegated Leicester City, a result that dealt a significant blow to Forest’s fading Champions League hopes. The match at the City Ground saw Forest initially fall behind to Conor Coady’s early goal, but they responded with strikes from Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood-who scored his 20th league goal of the season-to take the lead. However, a late equalizer from Facundo Buonanotte denied Forest the victory and left them one point behind fifth-placed Chelsea with just two games remaining in the Premier League.

Marinakis’s frustration was evident as he approached Nuno immediately after the final whistle, engaging in a heated exchange while the manager remained composed. The incident sparked criticism from pundits like Gary Neville, who described the owner’s behavior as “scandalous” and urged Nuno to consider his position. Fans also voiced their disapproval, highlighting Forest’s progress and condemning Marinakis for undermining the team’s efforts publicly.

Despite the setback, Forest have secured European football next season but now face an uphill battle to break into the Champions League places. With two crucial fixtures remaining against West Ham and Chelsea, the club’s hopes rest on finishing strongly. Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White acknowledged the team’s frustration at conceding twice but stressed the importance of maintaining standards in the closing matches.

In summary, the draw with Leicester not only stalled Nottingham Forest’s Champions League ambitions but also triggered a dramatic confrontation between owner and manager, underscoring the mounting pressure as the season nears its conclusion.