Nottingham Forest 0-0 Birmingham City (EFL Championship) 26.12.20

It was spoils shared at the City Ground on Boxing Day as Nottingham Forest drew blanks with their old Manager Aitor Karanka as his new team Birmingham City weren’t much better than their hosts in what was a poor show of attacking football, although both sets of defences perhaps deserve some credit for taking away a clean sheet and a point a piece from the game.

In strange surroundings for this time of year, a quiet and eery City Ground lacked the usual festive atmosphere and anticipation from a packed house of fans as both sides played out a match that lacked no effort, but plenty of entertainment for those few inside the stadium.

Sammy Ameobi trying a curling shot that was easily stopped by Blues goalkeeper Etheridge the best of an innocuous first half that was one which will be long forgotten by the small number of staff and media in attendance.

The second half wasn’t much better. Samba Sow losing possession to Ivan Sanchez on 54 minutes before the Spaniard played in Sunjic who crossed low into the arms of the relieved Brice Samba, the best of the early attempts for Birmingham. A minute later Josh Bela might have done better with a volley after being left unmarked at the back post but the Angolan winger hit into the ground and headed away by Cyrus Christie who had earlier slipped to create the opportunity. Shortly after the hour a curling shot from the right wing by Bela was punched out well by Samba who was far the busier of the two goalkeepers.

As Sanchez dazzled his way into the area on 77 minutes Samba was at his best to deny what looked to have been the best opportunity for a goal in the game. The Blues in green on the day, would arguably have deserved to have gone in front too after what was a mesmerising run into the box by one of the few bright sparks on show at the City Ground.

As time ticked on to 89, Forest had a big opportunity to snatch all three points as Figueiredo shot low which was saved by the knees of Etheridge before Knockaert’s teasing cross evaded Grabban and was thankfully claimed by the Blues goalkeeper.

The point, in the end taking Forest two above Derby County in the third relegation spot but should both Wayne Rooney’s Derby and Rotherham, below the Reds in 22^nd and 21^st respectively, win their games in hand on Forest, it will be Chris Hughton’s men that drop into the bottom three, which is a real concern now as the club aim to get out of trouble.

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Christie, Figueiredo, Worrall, Ribeiro, Yates, Sow (Taylor 61), Cafu, Mighten (Lolley 69), Ameobi (Knockaert 61), Grabban.

Birmingham City: Etheridge, Colin, Roberts, Dean, Friend, Sunjic, Clayton, Sanchez, Halilovic (Gardner 46), Bela, Hogan (Jutkiewicz 90).

Venue: City Ground

*Main image @NFFC Alex Mighten in action for Forest.