Bournemouth 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Sam Surridge scores against his former side to earn Forest point

Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge felt “it was almost meant to be” that he would score his first Premier League goal against his former side Bournemouth.

He converted Brennan Johnson’s low cross, sliding in at the back post, but faced a nervous wait as the video assistant referee checked to see if he was onside.

The 24-year-old only started seven league games with Bournemouth between 2017 and 2021, and had loan spells at Yeovil Town, Oldham Athletic and Swansea City.

“For whatever reason they [the Bournemouth supporters] decided to boo me,” he told Match of the Day.

“I spent a lot of time here and I knew I was going to get a goal – I could feel it.

“It’s a special moment for me, getting my first Premier League goal against my former club. I thought it was almost meant to be.”

Forest are now unbeaten in four matches and 13th in the table, and boss Steve Cooper was happy with Surridge’s contribution.

“He got booed on, but had the last laugh,” said Cooper. “I’ve so much respect for Sam, not only the performances but he gives everything when given an opportunity.

“It’s off the bench at the moment, but he is having a really big impact and I’m really pleased for him.”

The Cherries took the lead in the 28th minute when winger Dango Ouattara, making his debut following his £20m move from Lorient on Thursday, crossed from the right and Jaidon Anthony finished with a low strike.

But the hosts could not hang on as they conceded late on to drop to 18th and into the Premier League relegation zone, four points behind Forest.

Cherries miss chance for valuable three points

For Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil, the outcome extended his run of matches without a win to seven after he got the manager’s job on a permanent basis in November following a successful temporary spell in charge.

The Cherries did at least end a six-game losing run in all competitions, but will see this as a missed opportunity to pick up three priceless points.

Forest came into this match with only two away goals from nine Premier League matches – the worst record in the division – but thought they had a third on their travels after only 13 minutes.

It was a well-worked free-kick with Morgan Gibbs-White lifting the ball to the back post where Willy Boly headed across goal and Ryan Yates converted with a diving header, only for a VAR check to show Boly was just offside.

The visitors had other chances as Gibbs-White had a shot saved by Neto, Serge Aurier headed over from a corner and Renan Lodi fired over from 30 yards.

Bournemouth, after a slow start, got more into the game with Kieffer Moore missing a glorious opportunity, heading over from six yards out from Jordan Zemura’s cross.

Forest did not pay attention to the warning as Bournemouth scored three minutes later with Ouattara doing well down the right and Anthony netting against the visitors for the second game this season.

Steve Cooper handed an instant Forest debut to striker Chris Wood after he joined on loan from Newcastle on Friday – their 25th signing of the season – but he struggled to make an impact.

Another new player also got his first minutes in a Forest shirt as Brazil midfielder Danilo, a £16m signing from Palmeiras, came on just before half-time to replace the injured Yates.

Johnson had a low shot well saved by Neto as Bournemouth looked to hang on for what would have been a much-needed victory.

But their defence was breached with seven minutes left as Surridge struck for the first time since a double at Grimsby in the Carabao Cup five months ago.

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