Ipswich 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Report, result and goals as Tractor Boys fight back for deserved point

Tie in the first half of Julio Enciso City of Ipswich draw 1-1 against Nottingham Forest in an entertaining Premier League crash on Portman Road.

Neco Williams had given the visitors the lead, but Enciso capitalized on a defensive error by Nikola Milenkovic to draw the home side level before the break.

Forest dominated much of the second half and created a number of chances to regain their lead, but a combination of poor finishing and excellent defending from Leif Davis ensured the points were shared.

Oliver Glasner’s side made the brighter start, with Jair Cunha forcing Christian Walton into an early save before former Ipswich striker Liam Delap fired into the side netting.

The visitors finally took the lead in the 13th minute after excellent play from their two full-backs.

Delap held onto the ball before Morgan Gibbs-White released Daniel Munoz down the right, and the Colombian sent a cross towards the far post.

Williams arrived unmarked to guide an early goal past Walton to put Forest ahead.

Ipswich gradually grew into the contest, with Abdul Fatawu sending a curling effort wide before Jaden Philogene tested Matz Sels with a well-struck volley.

Enciso also forced the Forest keeper into a save from distance, although the visitors continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack.

Gibbs-White came close to doubling Forest’s lead when he broke into the penalty area and curled an effort wide.

The Forest captain looked certain to score in the 31st minute after meeting a Dan Ndoye cross, but Davis produced an outstanding goal-line clearance to keep Ipswich in the game.

That intervention was crucial, as the home team equalized four minutes before the break.

Dara O’Shea sent a long ball forward that was mishandled by Xaver Schlager and Nikola Milenkovic, allowing Enciso to race through on goal.

The Paraguayan kept his cool and slid a left-footed shot past Sels into the bottom corner.

It was Enciso’s first Premier League goal since May 2025 and ensured the teams were level at the break.

Scattered chances from Forest as Davis again denies the visitors

The second half started with a controversial incident when Issa Diop brought down James McAtee as he tried to break through on goal.

Referee Thomas Bramall initially told play to go on, but the VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

After studying the footage, Bramall awarded Forest a free-kick and booked Diop, ruling that McAtee had gone clear of goal.

Forest continued to push forward and almost regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Murillo drove a powerful effort through a crowded penalty area.

Walton reacted brilliantly to keep the shot out, despite appearing to have an obstructed view.

The visitors went even closer in the 64th minute after Ipswich carelessly conceded possession inside their own half.

Ndoye collected the ball in the penalty area and curled an effort beyond Walton, but Davis somehow recovered to produce his second goal-line clearance of the night.

Delap then had two chances to score against his former club, heading home from Munoz’s cross before unleashing a powerful effort from distance.

Glasner introduced Callum Hudson-Odoi in search of a breakthrough, while Gary O’Neil turned to Zian Flemming and Jack Clarke to provide Ipswich with fresh attacking options.

McAtee tested Walton with a low strike from outside the area but the keeper made a comfortable save.

Despite Forest’s dominance, Ipswich almost grabbed all three points in stoppage time.

Clarke cut inside from the left and drove into the box before sending a right-footed effort inches wide of the far post, with Sels beaten.

Hudson-Odoi had earlier dragged an effort down the other end, while Forest introduced Chris Wood in the closing stages as they looked for a winner.

However, neither team could find a late breakthrough, leaving Forest frustrated after another game in which they failed to make the most of their chances.

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