Wolves 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Steve Cooper’s job hangs in balance after battling draw at Molineux
Report and free match highlights as Harry Toffolo’s opener was cancelled out by Matheus Cunha’s fifth goal of the season; Forest boss Steve Cooper appeared emotional at the full-time whistle, with rumours swirling about the security of his position
By Laura Hunter
7:33, UK, Sunday 10 December 2023
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Nottingham Forest claimed a valiant point away at Wolves thanks to a first-half Harry Toffolo header, but it remains to be seen if the result will be enough to save Steve Cooper’s job.
It had been reported pre-match that Cooper needed a win to remain in the Forest hotseat, having only managed one victory in the previous 11 outings, but Toffolo’s breakthrough was cancelled out by a Matheus Cunha leveller in the 32nd minute.
Toffolo then missed a fine second-half chance, one of a few individuals to squander opportunities to earn a precious victory, but Forest at least claimed a first away point in over two months.
Cooper looked to be bidding farewell to fans, who sung his name continuously, as the final whistle blew, perhaps signalling a final end to his two-year reign with Forest 16th in the league, but still five points clear of the relegation zone.
Anthony Elanga’s deflected shot strikes the woodwork at Molineux
Image: Anthony Elanga’s deflected shot strikes the woodwork at Molineux
Wolves, on a much steadier trajectory, miss the chance to creep into the top half of the table after stretching their unbeaten home run to six, but rise to a very respectable 12th.
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Addressing rumours around his future post-match, Cooper told a press conference he wasn’t waving goodbye, he was merely thanking fans for such dedicated support.
Team news
Wolves made one change from a battling midweek triumph over Burnley; Jose Sa was reinstated in goal.
Steve Cooper made seven alterations from the hammering at Craven Cottage; only Harry Toffolo, Murillo, Orel Mangala and Anthony Elanga kept their places. Among the changes was Morgan Gibbs-White, who returned to his former club to boos from the Molineux crowd.
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How Forest battled to a point at Wolves
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Nelson Semedo competes with Harry Toffolo
Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing at Fulham, Forest’s fourth consecutive Premier League defeat, had pushed Cooper closer to the brink than he’d ever been, with contenders to replace him already hitting the headlines.
Defeat at Molineux would reportedly cost the 43-year-old his job, two days shy of his 44th birthday, prompting Forest fans to unveil a flag in support of the manager pre-game – Cooper retains their trust, at least.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute, when Cheikhou Kouyate won the ball in midfield and, after a neat exchange with Morgan Gibbs-White, found Neco Williams wide right.
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Harry Toffolo celebrates after giving Nottingham Forest a first-half lead at Wolves
His delivery was met by Toffolo at the far post and he out-jumped Nelson Semedo to power a header beyond Jose Sa.
The hosts pressed without impact initially, dictating possession but having little to show for it, until Cunha finally made his presence felt in the box by latching onto a wonderful Pablo Sarabia cutback to sweep home.
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Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper shows his frustration on the touchline at Molineux
Forest had chances to win it after the break, with both Kouyate and Anthony Elanga squandering opportunities – the latter rattling the crossbar from close range before Cooper’s frustrations boiled over on the touchline, and he was booked for his remonstrations.
The rot has been stopped, but one would assume the fight for Cooper to stay in a job very much remains.
Player ratings:
Wolves: Sa (7), Kilman (6), Dawson (7), Toti (7), Semedo (6), Lemina (6), Gomes (7), Bueno (6), Sarabia (8), Hwang (6), Cunha (7).
Subs: Traore (6), Bellegarde (6), Doherty (6), Kalajdzic (n/a).
Nottm Forest: Turner (7), Niakhate (6), Murillo (6), Boly (6), Toffolo (8), Kouyate (7), Mangala (7), Yates (7), Williams (7), Elanga (7), Gibbs-White (7).
Subs: Danilo (6), Felipe (6), Wood (n/a).
Player of the Match: Pablo Sarabia
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Cooper: Everyone at the club is together
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper reacts to his side’s 1-1 draw away to Wolves
At the final whistle, Cooper, who guided Forest back to the top-flight in 2022, saluted the travelling fans, who sang his name periodically throughout the game, and beat his hand emotionally against his chest.
Speaking to reporters, he said: “If you look at the game in isolation and the context I’m proud of my team, proud of how we played. It’s a positive away point and it’s a point on the board.
“If you put that on top of the noise which hasn’t crept into the training ground because we won’t let that, all you see is a team who love playing for the football club and want to do well.
“We could have hid away and sulked, or we can stand up and be counted, and that’s what you saw. It shows how together everyone is at the club.
“It’s not a bad day’s work with everything in mind.”
O’Neil: We lacked quality
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil shares his thoughts on his side’s 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil:
“First half we did really well to get back in the game. We lacked equality to break Forest down.
“We didn’t get in behind enough. I’m disappointed about what we did with the ball. We need to improve the quality a bit.
“I feel similar to how the fans probably feel – a bit frustrated we couldn’t show more quality to cause them problems.”
Opta: Toffolo coming up trumps
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