Nottingham Forest 1-1 Wolves: Gary O'Neil's side claim their first point of the season as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's wonderstrike cancels out Chris Wood's opener at the City Ground

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When social media is ablaze with every detail of Raheem Sterling’s move to Arsenal and Jadon Sancho’s switch to Chelsea, a goalkeeper moving from Crystal Palace to Wolves hardly earns a second glance.

Yet if forwards win you games, keepers stop you losing them, and Wolves have Sam Johnstone to thank for their first point of the Premier League season. 

On his debut after joining Wolves for £10million, Johnstone made superb saves in either half from Morgan Gibbs-White – celebrating his first senior England call-up – and Chris Wood. Wood had put Nottingham Forest ahead after 10 minutes and though his strike was quickly cancelled out by a stunner from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, the Forest centre-forward might have had a hat-trick.

The visitors were settling for a point by the end and will be relieved to avoid defeat after their 6-2 hammering at home by Chelsea. While Forest remain unbeaten, they might have hoped for more than five points from their opening fixtures against Bournemouth, Southampton and Wolves.

Wolves had won only one of their last 12 league games and confidence was fragile and they then wasted an instant chance to feel better about themselves.

Wolves and Nottingham Forest were forced to share the points in the clash at the City Ground

The result marks the first point for Gary O'Neil's side in the new Premier League campaign

Wolves' summer signing Sam Johnstone made a pair of vital saves to keep his side in the game

Matheus Cunha sent Rayan Ait-Nouri scampering outside Neco Williams but his attempt was saved by Matz Sels and Murillo scrambled away the rebound.

The visitors were punished not long afterwards. Elliot Anderson’s corner found its way to Wood, who had peeled away at the far post to plant a firm header back across debutant Sam Johnstone.

Yet the lead lasted only three minutes. Ibrahim Sangare, who had a very shaky first half, sliced a clearance that Mario Lemina anticipated quicker than Callum Hudson-Odoi. The ball dropped to Bellegarde who hit the top corner from 25 yards.

Though Wolves were level, coach Gary O’Neil was extremely frustrated throughout the first half as he danced about his technical area. Forest looked the more dangerous side at this stage and Nelson Semedo did brilliantly to cut out Williams’ low cross after he had been released by Wood.

Then Wood put a near-post volley just over following a neat combination between Morgan Gibbs-White and Ola Aina. At the other end, the lively Cunha was just off target from 30 yards and just after the half-hour mark, Gibbs-White’s dipping free-kick brought a fine save from Johnstone.

By now the home crowd were growing irritable with referee Simon Hooper. Both the fans and Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo – who had a memorable four-year stint at Wolves – demanded a penalty when Wood’s header struck the elbow of Jorgen Strand Larsen. They grew still more irritable when Toti Gomes escaped a second booking for a foul on Sangare.

Cunha had been comfortably Wolves’ best attacking player and when he raced down the left early in the second half, Forest held their breath. Luckily for the home side, the Brazilian’s touch deserted him at the crucial moment and Sels made a brave claim.

Forest pushed again. Anderson went down inside the box, Hudson-Odoi saw his effort from the loose ball blocked and after a clever pass from Gibbs-White, Anderson’s effort was deflected just over.

Having made a fine stop from Gibbs-White in the first half, Johnstone made an even better midway through the second as he flew across his goal to palm away another Wood header.

Chris Wood headed Nuno Espirito Santo's side into an early lead at the City Ground

The 32-year-old has continued his form in front from the latter part of last season in 2024-25

Minutes later Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's thunderous strike allowed the visitors to draw level

An injury to Mario Lemina saw ten minutes stoppage-time added on at the end of the 90

Andre, who was confirmed as a new summer signing on Friday, was unveiled to Wolves fans

By now Wolves had brought on Hwang Hee-chan and Tommy Doyle and the substitutes soon combined, Hwang teeing up Doyle for a clean strike that was deflected wide. 

Seconds later, Bellegarde’s strike rebounded into the path of Cunha, who swept just wide from an inviting angle.

With 15 minutes left, it was Wolves’ turn to demand a penalty when Craig Dawson tangled with Wood as he tried to reach Doyle’s free-kick. As he raged in the technical area, O’Neil was given a booking.

With spaces opening, both sides believed they could win. On for his league debut, Ramon Sosa picked out Williams at the far post and the Welshman’s shot was only just too high.

Wood thought he had won it when he turned home Murillo’s mishit effort but the forward’s celebrations were cut short by the offside flag. He was then denied in stoppage time by a superb block from Dawson.