Julio Enciso's equaliser just before half-time earned Ipswich Town a point in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, a match defined by a controversial VAR decision and challenging weather. Neco Williams had given Forest the lead in the first half at a rain-lashed Portman Road, but his goal was cancelled out after a defensive error allowed Enciso to strike.

The game's major flashpoint came when Forest defender Issa Diop was shown a yellow card following a VAR review of his tackle on James McAtee. Referee Thomas Bramall initially allowed play to continue but was advised to check the pitchside monitor, ultimately deciding the challenge was a foul but not a red-card offence. Forest manager Oliver Glasner was incensed by the call. "I see great togetherness. The spirit I start to feel … I loved everything I saw today, just not the result," Glasner said afterwards, having earlier criticised the VAR process as feeling like a clear red card.

Forest had taken the lead when Daniel Muñoz's looping cross found Neco Williams, who finished via an overlap. The visitors dominated possession and created the better chances, registering 17 shots to Ipswich's seven and an expected goals total of 2.31. They were punished for not converting that dominance when Jair Cunha lost possession, leading to a under-hit back-pass from Nikola Milenkovic that Enciso pounced on to score. Liam Delap missed a big chance for Forest in the 74th minute, heading over, while Callum Hudson-Odoi fired a 30-yard effort wide. Substitute Jack Clarke also missed a late opportunity for Ipswich.

Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil acknowledged his side's struggle to control the game. "We were never quite good enough with the ball to turn it into a football match," O'Neil said. He praised Forest's quality despite their lowly league position, noting they are "a top side with top players and well spent money."

The result leaves Nottingham Forest with just one win from their opening eight Premier League games this season, having now drawn a blank more often than any other side in the division. No team has underperformed their expected goals data more than Forest this campaign, scoring only six times from chances worth 13.4 expected goals. The point moves Ipswich's home tally to seven for the season, matching their total from the entire 2024/25 campaign. Forest also lost goalscorer Neco Williams to a worrying arm injury during the match. Their next fixture is against an unspecified opponent, with their search for a second win of the season continuing.

Read the full report at theguardian.com

Ipswich Town manager Gary O'Neil has directly contradicted his Nottingham Forest counterpart Oliver Glasner over the key VAR decision in their 1-1 draw. O'Neil stated he believed the officials reached a good conclusion after reviewing Issa Diop's foul on James McAtee. "I think they came to a real good conclusion, with a good process," O'Neil said. This follows Glasner's post-match assertion that the challenge warranted a red card. Millwall, meanwhile, sit 13th in the Championship with 15 points after their 2-1 defeat to Portsmouth on October 24.