Nottingham Forest player ratings vs Bournemouth as Vitor Pereira’s Reds end the season with 1-1 draw vs Bournemouth
18:05, 24 May 2026Updated 18:21, 24 May 2026
Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest sets off in celebration after opening the scoring during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth at City Ground
Morgan Gibbs-White sent a message to England manager Thomas Tuchel as he helped Nottingham Forest sign off for the season with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
Not selected for the Three Lions’ World Cup squad, Gibbs-White clearly wanted to prove a point in the Reds’ final match of the campaign. He gave his team the lead in the first half, but they were denied the three points by a Marcus Tavernier equaliser after the interval.
Safety having been secured with two games to spare, there was little other than pride riding on the clash with the Cherries for Vitor Pereira’s side. At a sun-drenched City Ground, it was a day of celebration – of the Reds’ top flight survival and of the club’s greatest ever player as the renamed John Robertson Stand was officially unveiled.
Amid soaring temperatures, it was tough going for both teams. Forest started positively but it was the visitors who worked a couple of early openings, with Alex Toth and Tyler Adams firing off target from outside the box.
The hosts might not have had much at stake but they were determined to finish on a high, and they had two good opportunities to take the lead around the quarter-hour. Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson couldn’t make the first count, then Gibbs-White curled an effort over following a surging run by Chris Wood.
It took until almost 30 minutes in for either goalkeeper to be called into action. When Djordje Petrovic was tested by Igor Jesus, he made a smart save after the Brazilian had latched on to a Hutchinson ball and cut inside.
Wood went even closer soon after, when his header bounced off the post from a peach of a cross by Elliot Anderson. The Reds had their tails up, and the breakthrough duly arrived in the 34th minute.
Gibbs-White did all the hard work to win a free-kick on the edge of the box. A nice roll of the ball by Hutchinson then set up the No.10 and he drilled it home for 1-0.
But just when Forest looked on course for a win over their bogey team, Bournemouth hit back after the break. Marcus Tavernier thumped the ball past Matz Sels after being set up by Adrien Truffert.
Both sides had chances to bag a winner. Sels had to make some excellent stops to keep his team in it, while Taiwo Awoniyi headed wide for the Reds. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Matz Sels: Would have been keen to finish the season with a clean-sheet. Hadn’t really been tested prior to picking the ball out of the net but did make some fine saves after Bournemouth’s leveller to keep his side in it. Rating: 8/10
Jair Cunha: Think it’s fair to conclude the Brazilian is not a full-back. Perhaps selected for his height, but he had a tough time of it and was nowhere near as comfortable as when played in his natural position. Rating: 5/10
Nikola Milenkovic: Could have done with closing Tavernier down for the equaliser. Had been solid enough otherwise. Remains an important player for the Reds and will be crucial again next term. Rating: 7/10
Morato: Fairly steady against the Cherries. Not something the defender has always managed this term but he has still played his part. Remains to be seen whether Forest look to move him on in the transfer window. Rating: 7/10
Neco Williams: Rounded off a consistent campaign with the kind of display he has put in week in, week out this term. Even in sweltering heat and with little riding on the game, the Welshman constantly ran up and down the left flank. Rating: 8/10
Ibrahim Sangare: Brilliant on his return to the starting XI after injury. This season, the midfielder has really developed into a player capable of making Forest tick. Signed off for the summer with another strong showing. Rating: 8.5/10
Elliot Anderson: A farewell appearance in the Garibaldi? He got a suitably loud and heartfelt reception when he came off, having shown why he is a wanted man with the kind of performance that has become his trademark. Some talent. Rating: 8.5/10
Omari Hutchinson: Seemed frustrated with himself early on as nothing was coming off. Settled as the game went on and teed up Gibbs-White for the opener, but the winger will need to find more consistency next season if he is going to fulfil his potential. Rating: 6/10
Igor Jesus: Involved in some nice moments in the first half, even if they didn’t quite come to anything. Still has a fair bit to get to grips with in English football but has shown glimpses of what he can do since his summer move. Rating: 6.5/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: He was always going to score, wasn’t he? Message to a certain Mr T. Tuchel well and truly sent. For some inexplicable reason, the England manager might not appreciate what the No.10 has to offer, but Forest definitely do. Rating: 8.5/10
Chris Wood: Had to score with that headed chance in the first half; Anderson had laid it on a plate for the front man with an exquisite cross. The New Zealander would love to have headed off to the World Cup with a goal as his send-off. Rating: 6.5/10
Subs
Taiwo Awoniyi (for Wood, 63mins): So close to getting on the scoresheet only a few minutes after entering the fray. Would have been a lovely way to round off the season if that had gone in. Rating: 7/10
Luca Netz (for Jair, 63mins): Perhaps ought to have replaced Jair earlier in the game as the defender was struggling. Can take a lot from his first months in English football. Rating: 6/10
Ryan Yates (for Anderson, 65mins): Tried to get involved during his 25 minutes on the pitch. Pereira clearly appreciates what he brings on and off the pitch – as have plenty of previous managers. Rating: 6/10
Nicolas Dominguez (for Sangare, 65mins): Freshened things up on a roasting-hot day with customary tenacity. Has been a great option to have in midfield this season. Rating: 6/10
James McAtee (for Hutchinson, 78mins): A substitute appearance that sort of summed up the ex-Manchester City man’s first season at Forest. Something of a mixed bag. Rating: 6/10
Subs not used: Ortega, Ndoye, Abbott, Sillah.
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