Match ends, Nottingham Forest 1, Blackburn Rovers 2.
Nottm ForestNottingham Forest1BlackburnBlackburn Rovers2
Darragh Lenihan headed in a late winner for Blackburn Rovers at Nottingham Forest to leave Chris Hughton's side without a Championship point this season.
The defender pounced after his initial effort had been cleared off the line following a mistake from Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba, and looped the rebound in.
Philip Zinckernagel thought he had earned the hosts a point at the City Ground when his powerful left-foot shot from outside the box beat Thomas Kaminski at the near post.
Daniel Ayala's header from Harry Pickering's free-kick had set Rovers on their way early in the second half, while Forest's Jordan Gabriel was sent off in the 90th minute for a second yellow card.
Gabriel's robust challenge on Harry Chapman came at the end of another disappointing display from Forest, who have suffered three consecutive 2-1 league losses and were booed off at full-time.
Blackburn are now one of six sides with seven points from their opening three matches and were good value for their victory.
They created the better chances, despite Forest having more possession, with John Buckley denied by Samba in each half and Tyrhys Dolan's skimming effort also well saved.
Forest, who only scored 37 times in the Championship last season, again look short of attacking quality and it was only Watford loanee Zinckernagel's piece of quality which gave them a lifeline.
However, that was undone when Samba flapped at a cross and Gabriel cleared off the line, with Lenihan on hand to earn three points for Tony Mowbray's men.
Forest next face a trip to in-form Stoke on Saturday, while Blackburn host table-topping West Brom.
Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"At the moment we're conceding too many goals and that being the case we're finding it difficult to win matches.
"It's a younger group [of players] than we've had for some time and it's good for their development but we need that knowhow in this division because it's a tough division.
"There's no doubt the squad needs strengthening, and with two or three players out it leaves us light."
Blackburn head coach Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"It's good to win on the road in the Championship, it's very difficult to do.
"You could feel the crowd here, the expectancy of them, but tonight they came up against a side who were fully committed, 100% at it all over the pitch, and we got our rewards for a huge effort.
"We have a big heart and a good group who are fighting hard for each other at the moment."
Line-ups
Nottm Forest
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 30Samba
- 27Lawrence-GabrielBooked at 90mins
- 3Figueiredo
- 26McKenna
- 24Osei-TutuSubstituted forBackat 17'minutes
- 11Zinckernagel
- 22Yates
- 8ColbackBooked at 54minsSubstituted forFornahat 85'minutes
- 17MightenSubstituted forCarvalhoat 64'minutes
- 20Johnson
- 7Grabban
Substitutes
- 1Horvath
- 10Carvalho
- 18Ribeiro Dias
- 33Taylor
- 38Fornah
- 44Back
- 46Harbottle
Blackburn
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Kaminski
- 24CarterBooked at 71mins
- 26Lenihan
- 5Ayala
- 3Pickering
- 27Travis
- 8RothwellSubstituted forChapmanat 74'minutes
- 9GallagherBooked at 66mins
- 21Buckley
- 22Brereton DíazBooked at 90mins
- 10DolanSubstituted forDavenportat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Davenport
- 14Butterworth
- 17Chapman
- 19Clarkson
- 34Pike
- 36Magloire
- 45Eastham
- Referee:
- Gavin Ward
- Attendance:
- 23,964
Match Stats
Home TeamNottm ForestAway TeamBlackburn
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away7
- Corners
- Home3
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Nottingham Forest 1, Blackburn Rovers 2.
Post update
Foul by Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Sam Gallagher (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Ben Brereton Díaz (Blackburn Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Sam Gallagher (Blackburn Rovers).
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (Nottingham Forest) for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Harry Chapman (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Harry Chapman (Blackburn Rovers).
Goal!
Goal! Nottingham Forest 1, Blackburn Rovers 2. Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hayden Carter with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Tyrese Fornah replaces Jack Colback.
Booking
Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Harry Chapman (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Offside, Nottingham Forest. Tobias Figueiredo tries a through ball, but Lewis Grabban is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt saved. John Buckley (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Harry Chapman.
Comments
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Should Forest lose against a resurgent Stoke on Saturday, I'm afraid I feel Mr Hughton should also depart.
Another 43 points and we're safe!
Each new manager hamstrung by the previous regime. Poor squad and having to rely on loans and youngsters from the academy (until they're good enough to sell).
I'd be very surprised if there's 3 worse teams in the league but here's hoping.
We have creativity and speed on the bench and when it is needed we sub off players with speed and desire to get forward and leave on under performing defensive midfielders. Or we leave substitutions till the last few minutes.
Can someone please order a taxi.
We cannot score.....so he buys a Goalkeeper and a Defender.....with a loan Midfielder.
If you cannot see the problem here.......then give up.
Forest have NO Forwards that would get in ANY other Championship side......which is why we only scored the second lowest total in the league last season, and will be the same again this year.
We had it all last season and it's just carried on. Maybe time to replace Hughton ?