Johnson puts out raging Forest fire
CHRIS HUGHTON insisted he hasn’t considered the threat to his position at Nottingham Forest after Brennan Johnson’s late equaliser saved his side from a fifth successive league defeat to ease some of the pressure on the underfire manager.
Forest’s dismal start to the campaign has raised questions about Hughton’s future, particularly as his predecessor Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed after defeats in the opening four games of last season.
A point at the home of their fierce rivals at least provides a measure of relief for the Forest boss though.
Asked about feeling pressure on keeping his job, Hughton said: ‘It is never something I think about, I only think of results. I am feeling better at the moment because we got a result I think we deserved.
‘When they scored their goal, you think it isn’t going to be our day again, but the players dug deep and it is always nicer if you are the team who has come back.
‘It was a game of two halves without clear-cut chances.
‘It’s not the win we wanted, and it doesn’t change the league table and the perception of the season so far, but it is a better feeling for us than what it would be for Derby.’
Nottingham-born Johnson capitalised on one of few scoring opportunities to cancel out Tom Lawrence’s first-half goal and earn his side their first point of the season.
‘Brennan is a young player, but he has had experiences and he is a pleasure to work with,’ Hughton added. ‘He gives us an offensive edge and it is a really nice feeling for any manager or coach to work with a talented young player.’
The 20-year-old’s 82nd minute strike came when a cross from the left fell to him unmarked, and he calmly fired past Kelle Roos in the Derby goal.
Lawrence had opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he pounced on Craig Forsyth’s lofted throughball and held off Gaetan Bong before smashing in a half-volley from the edge of the penalty area.
It set a tone of dominance for the Rams who were scarcely called into defensive action through the first half but failed to capitalise on guilt-edged opportunities.
Derby boss Wayne Rooney reacted furiously when a late claim for a penalty was turned down, marking the third denial after Louie Sibley was muscled to the floor when through on goal and a handball appeal was rejected in the first half.
‘The handball was a clear penalty,’ Rooney said. I can see it (the challenge on Curtis Davies in injury time) and the fourth official is next to me so I know he can.
‘There are four officials, so if the referee doesn’t see it one of them should.
‘Someone needs to take the lead and make a decision.’
With 15 minutes left, Derby wasted their best chance of the second half when Jack Stretton’s effort on goal from point-blank range was deflected wide, before a superb clawing save from Roos ensured Derby maintained their lead when Lewis Grabban cleverly backheeled a driven cross goalward.
He couldn’t muster further heroics as the game neared its conclusion though.
Johnson’s hammered finish beat the defences of the Derby stopper, cueing pandemonium from the away support after he had slid a right-footed shot wide from the same spot following the break.
DERBY COUNTY ( 4-2-3-1): Roos 7; Byrne 5, Jagielka 6, Davies 6, Forsyth 5; Bird 7, Shinnie 6; Jozwiak 7 (Buchanan 81min), Morrison 7, Sibley 7; Lawrence 7 (Stretton 67, 6). Booked: Bryne, Jozwiak, Morrison, Sibley. Subs (not used): Allsop, Stearman, Watson, McDonald, Williams. NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Samba 6; LawrenceGabriel 6, Worrall 6, McKenna 5, Bong 6; Garner 5, Yates 5 (Grabban 69, 5); Zinckernagel 5, Joao Carvalho 5 (Mighten 46, 5), Johnson 7; Taylor 6. Booked: Garner. Subs (not used): Horvath, Figueiredo, Colback, Lowe, Cafu. Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex) 6.