Nottingham Forest had an Igor Jesus goal controversially ruled out during their 1-0 defeat to Coventry City
Head coach Oliver Glasner refused to be drawn on the controversy at the centre of Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 defeat to Coventry City.
The Reds remain without a home win in the Premier League since April after a frustrating evening at the City Ground. Jay Dasilva’s second-half goal proved to be the difference, but the hosts will feel they should have had at least a point on the night.
Igor Jesus thought he had grabbed an equaliser from off the bench when he found the net in the 88th minute. However, the goal was chalked off when referee Jared Gillett was sent to his screen following a VAR check and the Brazilian was deemed to have fouled Caleb Yirenkyi in the build-up.
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“Of course I have thoughts but I don’t want to speak about it again,” Glasner said (via the BBC). “We had this big discussion after Tottenham, referee decided and that’s it.”
It was the second home game in succession Forest had been left frustrated by a VAR intervention. Against Tottenham Hotspur, Neco Williams had a goal ruled out for handball.
Glasner added: Frustrated, disappointed. We wanted three points and the players gave everything until the end but we made one big mistake, one big ball from the goalkeeper.
“We knew he had a very big strike and we got punished. We tried everything until the end but we have to blame ourselves. It’s the third home game without a goal and that makes it difficult to win.
“We have to find a solution, today was the first time I could feel the heaviness of the past, it was very quiet in the dressing room. When we conceded the goal, everyone was nervous, the entire City Ground was nervous and I think this is the reason of last year. There is nobody to blame, the solution is to play with more freedom and more confidence.”
Explaining the decision to disallow Jesus’ goal, Premier League Match Centre said on X: “#NFOCOV – 86’ VAR OVERTURN. After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Nottingham Forest – with it deemed that Igor Jesus committed a foul in the build-up.
“VAR: ‘Nottingham Forest No.11 clearly stands on the foot of Coventry No.8, which prevents him from playing the ball in a normal manner.’
“REF: “After review, Nottingham Forest No.11 steps on the foot of Coventry No.8 and trips him. The final decision is direct free-kick.’”
