Nottingham Forest 0-0 Wolves: José Sá Masterclass Denies Dyche 100th Win in Relegation Battle

Nottingham Forest missed a vital opportunity to move five points clear of the relegation zone after a frustrating 0–0 draw against Wolves at the City Ground, as a lack of clinical edge haunted Sean Dyche’s side.

The Forest boss was denied his 100th Premier League win as his team failed to convert any of their 35 shots across the 90 minutes the most attempts ever recorded by a Sean Dyche side in the competition. Ten of those efforts were on target, but an inspired performance from José Sá prevented a Forest breakthrough.

The Reds dominated from start to finish, squandering huge chances through Lorenzo Lucca, Morato and others. It was a golden opportunity to steer further clear of West Ham in the relegation battle, particularly after Benjamin Šeško’s equaliser elsewhere meant the Hammers dropped points.

For Rob Edwards, however, a resilient defensive display earned Wolves a precious point. His side edged closer to surpassing the infamous 11-point mark as they attempt to avoid breaking Derby County’s record for the lowest Premier League points total.

Forest controlled the opening period against a Wolves side that struggled to find rhythm. Dyche’s men created chances at will and repeatedly knocked on the door of Sá’s goal.

The first big opportunity arrived when Elliot Anderson delivered a superb cross to Morgan Gibbs-White at the back post, but his header drifted agonisingly wide from just a few yards out.

The best chance of the half came from a rapid counterattack following a poorly executed Wolves free-kick. Callum Hudson-Odoi skipped past two defenders and surged down the left with five Forest players queuing inside the box against a single Wolves defender. However, Lorenzo Lucca blazed his effort over the bar after being picked out in what appeared a simple finish.

Forest registered 16 shots in the first 45 minutes the highest tally by a Dyche-managed side in a Premier League first half but had no goal to show for their dominance. Wolves, by contrast, failed to record a shot on target before the break and were fortunate to reach half-time level.

The pattern continued after the restart. Morato headed narrowly wide inside the opening five minutes, while Hudson-Odoi tested Sá after another swift counter.

Wolves briefly threatened around the hour mark when Matheus Mane forced Stefan Ortega into a routine save their first effort on target but Forest remained firmly in control.

With 15 minutes remaining, Forest came closest of all. A cross reached Neco Williams at the back post, who lofted the ball back into the danger area. After a chaotic goalmouth scramble, Igor Jesus saw his effort saved by Sá, who then reacted brilliantly to deny Morato from point-blank range. The City Ground was left in disbelief as Wolves somehow held on.

Despite late pressure, the breakthrough never came. Forest dropped two points against a bottom-placed Wolves side that had looked there for the taking.

The draw moves Nottingham Forest to 27 points, maintaining a three-point cushion over 18th-placed West Ham. However, with upcoming fixtures against Liverpool, Brighton and Manchester City, it feels like a major missed opportunity in the relegation battle.

Wolves remain bottom on nine points but record their sixth draw of the season. Rob Edwards’ side showed resilience, even if their survival hopes remain slim.

Man of the Match: José Sá