Taiwo Awoniyi scorer of NFFC first Premier League goal of 2022/23, Declan Rice missed penalty against Nottingham, Benrahma disallowed goal

Nottingham Forest’s first home game in the top flight after 23 years saw them beat David Moyes’ West Ham 1-0 at the City Ground. Here are our talking points from the clash.

Taiwo Awoniyi scorer of Forest’s first Premier League goal of 22/23

Who scored Forest’s first Premier League goal of the 22-23 season will be a pub quiz question for the future, and new NFFC signing Taiwo Awoniyi wrote himself into the club history books as he netted NFFC’s first goal of the 22/23 season. He might not have known much about it- the ball ricocheted off him and past Lukasz Fabianski, but it was just reward for the young striker’s first half efforts.

Forest 1-0 West Ham 2022

Declan Rice missed penalty against Nottingham Forest

Bad as they were in the first half, West Ham were a much better side after the interval and were given a penalty after Tomas Soucek’s shot was blocked by McKenna’s arm. However Rice produced a very disappointing penalty (no power whatsoever) and Dean Henderson comfortably saved the spot kick, giving Forest three priceless points.

Dean Henderson performance vs West Ham

Speaking of Henderson, this was another fine performance from the on-loan United youngster in goal given David de Gea’s struggles for the Red Devils over the weekend against Brentford. Some of his reaction saves were top notch, and he had a big role to play in getting Forest their first Premier League win of the millenium.

Benrahma disallowed goal vs Forest

Slightly controversial, but VAR disallowed Benrahma’s goal for Michail Antonio’s alleged bodycheck on Mangala. Antonio claimed that he could do nothing to stop Mangala from clattering into him, but VAR thought otherwise and so did the on-field referee after checking the TV on the sideline.

West Ham chances vs Forest

Speaking of the Hammers they had plenty of chances against Forest

A penalty saved (Rice)
Benrahama and Fornals both hitting the crossbar
Zouma goal line clearance
Benrahma disallowed goal
Soucek header saved by Henderson

They actually dominated the game on xG too (see xG map below), and on the balance of play, deserved at least a point, if not all three.

xG Forest vs West Ham 2022-23

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Eagles hold Reds to a draw

Liverpool’s first home league game of the season saw the Reds having to settle for a point against Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace at Anfield on Monday evening. Jurgen Klopp’s men would’ve been looking to pick up all three points instead of the solitary one they eventually did, but a moment of madness in the second half from new Uruguayan signing Darwin Nunez cost them dearly.

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Liverpool vs Crystal Palace 2022 August- Preview as Reds look for first win

Liverpool will be playing their first home league game of the season when they square off against Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace at Anfield on Monday night. Neither team were able to secure a win on the opening weekend of the 22/23 campaign- the Eagles lost 2-0 to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, while the Reds were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against newly promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Liverpool weren’t quite at their best against the Cottagers, who have returned to the top flight after winning the Championship last season, and fell behind after 32 minutes as the prolific Aleksandr Mitrovic put the hosts ahead. Neeskens Kebano very nearly made it 2-0 as he hit the post, and Klopp was forced to bring new summer signing Darwin Nunez off the bench early in the second half for Roberto Firmino after Fulham had dominated the opening 45.

Nunez’s introduction swung the game in Liverpool’s favour- he drew the visitors level in the 64th minute before Mitrovic’s 72nd minute spot kick restored the home side’s one goal advantage.

The Uruguayan then turned provider as he set up Mo Salah for an 80th minute equaliser, and Liverpool could consider themselves a tad fortunate to come away from the capital with a draw. Fulham had taken five games to hit the ground in their previous PL campaign, but they were up and running in their opening one here, and were very good value for their point.

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