Nottingham Forest suffered a second successive Championship defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth.
The Reds had responded to going behind in the first half as Scott McKenna equalised after the break.
But their opponents went back in front soon after, and even though they went down to 10 men, Forest couldn’t find a way through to get something from the game.
Amid a fantastic atmosphere at the City Ground, the hosts made a bright start.
A string of set-pieces put their opponents under pressure, albeit without working the goalkeeper.
A free-kick from Philip Zinckernagel was curled over the bar, while Ryan Yates had a shot blocked in the opening few minutes.
Bournemouth, though, gradually came more into the game and had a good spell midway through the half, with Brice Samba thwarting Phil Billing.
A bit of quality then proved decisive as the Cherries took the lead with 28 minutes gone; David Brooks finishing well from inside the box after a couple of quick passes had carved the Reds open.
The goalscorer fired wide from a similar position a few minutes later, before Forest mounted a response as the interval neared.
Yates came close to an equaliser, being denied by the post as his driven effort from the edge of the ‘D’ cannoned off the inside of the woodwork and across the goal.
And Tobias Figueiredo’s shot, following a free-kick, was blocked, with Mark Tavers then pushing away Lyle Taylor’s angled strike.
It didn’t take long after the break for the hosts to get back on level terms, however.
Three minutes after the restart, McKenna sent a thumping header past Tavers from Zinckernagel’s free-kick.
Bournemouth retook the lead just before the hour, however, when Billing coolly finished off a well-worked move.
But the visitors went down to 10 men two minutes later, when Brooks was booked for the second time, following a foul on Jordi Osei-Tutu.
The hosts tried to capitalise on their numerical advantage by pushing forward, but just couldn’t find another breakthrough.
Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Brice Samba: Probably should have done better with Bournemouth’s second, in particular. Will be disappointed to concede in that manner so soon after his team had got back into it. Rating: 5/10
Jordan Gabriel: Was kept on his toes at times by the Cherries, sometimes not getting his positioning quite right. Always keen to make runs forward, though. Rating: 6/10
Tobias Figueiredo: Defence was punished by two well-worked goals and quality finishes, but opened up a little too easily. Physical presence was a threat from set-pieces in the opposition box. Rating: 5/10
Scott McKenna: Bagged an equaliser with a towering header, thumping the ball in from a free-kick. Had been caught out for the opening goal at the other end of the pitch. Rating: 6/10
Jordi Esoi-Tutu: Naturally a right-back, the new signing was called upon to play on the left on his debut. Generally did well and showed an electric burst of pace. Rating: 7/10
Ryan Yates: Desperately close to finding the back of the net in the first half, with a decent effort which cannoned off the inside of the post. Could have done with a few more attempts like that. Rating: 6/10
Jack Colback: Debate continues to rage as to whether he can play alongside Yates. No complaints when the Reds were on top, but needed more attacking threat when Bournemouth were down to 10 and the game was there for the taking. Neither midfielder did a great deal wrong, but the balance wasn’t always there. Rating: 5/10
Philip Zinckernagel: King of the assists so far, with three in two starts. Capable of a wicked delivery, putting a free-kick into the right area for McKenna to score. A class act. Rating: 7/10
Brennan Johnson: A quieter performance from the youngster as he struggled to get on the ball as much as against Coventry. Still won his team a fair few free-kicks. Rating: 6/10
Joe Lolley: Involved in some promising play when Forest were on top early on, including linking up well with Taylor. Just couldn’t quite get the final ball right. Rating: 5/10
Lyle Taylor: Looked sharp in the opening stages, being keen to get involved. No real chances to get on the scoresheet, though. Rating: 6/10
SUBSTITUTES
Alex Mighten (for Lolley, 68): Immediately had the Cherries on the back foot by running at them. Looked lively. Rating: 7/10
Lewis Grabban (for Taylor, 76): Headed against the bar with his first touch, but the offside flag was up anyway. Close again right at the death. Rating: 6/10
Joao Carvalho (for Colback, 83): Almost helped carve out a last-ditch equaliser with a lovely ball to Grabban. Rating: 7/10
Not used: Horvath, Back, Fornah, Cafu.
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