Surabhi Gorebal, Pune
In the English Premier League on Friday, Nottingham Forest defeated Sheffield United 2-1 thanks to a goal from substitute Chris Wood in the 89th minute.
Following losing to Arsenal last week, Forest gained its first points, whereas the Blades have struggled in their first two games after returning to the top spot following a two-season absence.
After Gus Hamer’s wonderful goal just after halftime cancelled out Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal in the third minute, Forest seemed to be held by the Blades.
However, Wood, whose loan move from Newcastle was made permanent in the summer, delivered at the finish when he headed home after Forest struggled in the second half.
After surviving a discouraging opening 30 minutes, Sheffield was seen as unfairly done because the team played hard and had opportunities to take the lead when the score was tied at 1.
The majority of Forest’s points that helped it finish last season in safety came from the City Ground. Forest has now won four straight home games, tying a Premier League club record. It happened in January 1996.
Awoniyi headed in a cross from six yards out after Brennan Johnson set up Serge Aurier on the right side of the field within the opening three minutes.
Following rookie Hamer’s arrival last week, Sheffield got off to a strong start in the second half and was level in the 48th minute. Forest was unable to fully round a corner, and it dropped to Hamer from 20 meters away. He attempted a curling shot into the top corner, which enraged the visiting supporters.
Wood, who replaced Awoniyi, headed in another precise Aurier cross from the right to give Forest its reward late on. With 56 goals in the Premier League, Wood was level with Tim Cahill for third place among players from Oceania, trailing only Mark Viduka (92 goals) and Harry Kewell (57 goals).