Enciso earns Ipswich draw as wasteful Forest move out of relegation zone

Julio Enciso scored before half-time to secure Ipswich Town a 1-1 Premier League draw against Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on Friday, October 23. According to Associated Press, the point lifted Forest out of the relegation zone into 16th place, while Ipswich moved up one position to ninth. Both goals came in the first half.

Watch the highlights:

Neco Williams put Forest ahead in the 13th minute, finishing a delivery from Daniel Muñoz. Russell Cook’s report for Suffolk Village Info described further chances for the visitors, including a Morgan Gibbs-White effort that went narrowly wide. Ipswich also threatened before drawing level: Jaden Philogene tested Matz Sels, and Enciso forced another save after working his way through Forest’s defence.

Enciso’s equaliser arrived in the 41st minute after a defensive mistake. Suffolk Village Info reported that Dara O’Shea sent the ball forward and Nikola Milenkovic subsequently left his attempted pass back to Sels short. Enciso took possession, advanced towards goal and finished past the goalkeeper, leaving Forest level at the interval despite their earlier opportunities to extend the lead.

The second half brought a disputed decision involving Ipswich defender Issa Diop and Forest’s James McAtee. Sky Sports reported that referee Thomas Bramall reviewed Diop’s challenge at the pitchside monitor to assess whether he had denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Diop received a yellow card rather than a dismissal, allowing Ipswich to continue with all 11 players on the field.

Forest continued to create chances without finding a winner. Sky Sports reported that Leif Davis made two goal-line clearances for Ipswich, while Liam Delap and Callum Hudson-Odoi failed to convert opportunities. The visitors finished with 17 shots to Ipswich’s seven. Sky’s figures put Forest’s expected goals at 2.31, but their attacking output produced only Williams’ first-half finish and a single point.

Forest coach Oliver Glasner disagreed with the Diop decision but said his team had created enough chances to settle the match, AP reported. He also welcomed Bramall’s use of the monitor and declined to blame the referee for the result. Forest remained on one league victory from eight matches, according to Sky Sports, despite avoiding defeat and improving their position in the table.