Ange Postecoglou off the mark as Nottingham Forest boss with draw at Burnley
Ange Postecoglou secured his first Premier League point as Nottingham Forest manager in a 1-1 draw at Burnley.
After defeats by Arsenal last weekend and Swansea in the Carabao Cup, this game offered a chance for a first victory, but Jaidon Anthony cancelled out Neco Williams’ second-minute opener.
Relentless rain made conditions tricky for both teams and Burnley were grateful to goalkeeper Martin Dubravka for a string of fine saves.
Postecoglou gave first Premier League starts to three summer recruits in Douglas Luiz, Dilane Bakwa and Oleksandr Zinchenko, while Burnley’s only change from last weekend’s agonising loss to Liverpool was Benfica loanee Florentino making his full debut in place of the suspended Lesley Ugochukwu.
Luiz made his mark straight away, with his corner causing problems for the Burnley defence and falling for Williams, whose powerful shot from 15 yards took a deflection off Maxime Esteve and flew into the top corner.
Burnley’s first effort was a speculative one from wide on the left by Quilindschy Hartman following a fine ball from Florentino, but the Dutchman struck it well and Matz Sels needed to produce a flying save to keep it out.
Zinchenko then tested Dubravka from range, but the Ukrainian defender was left with head in hands at the other end after he was unable to prevent Anthony equalising in the 20th minute.
Goals do not come any scrappier, with a deep cross from Hartman headed down by Loum Tchaouna and mis-controlled by Lyle Foster into the path of Anthony, whose scuffed shot lacked power, but Zinchenko got his feet in a tangle and could only help the ball into the net.
While that would have been hugely frustrating for Postecoglou, some of the quick passing on the edge of the area from