Nottingham Forest guaranteed a return to European football for the first time in 30 years, but the mood at the City Ground was anything but celebratory after a chaotic 2-2 draw with already-relegated Leicester.
Forest twice led but failed to hold on, with Facundo Buonanotte’s late equaliser dealing a blow to their hopes of securing a Champions League place.
The full-time whistle sparked dramatic scenes as club owner Evangelos Marinakis confronted head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch, fuming over the medical staff’s handling of Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury.
Awoniyi hobbled through the final minutes after Forest had used their last substitution, prompting what Marinakis described as a “misjudgement” that cost his side momentum in a pivotal moment.
“This is natural, a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club,” said Marinakis in a statement released after the incident. “Let’s all be grateful, passionate, and keep on dreaming.”
Forest are now assured of a top-seven finish, a remarkable turnaround just three years after returning to the top flight.
But their Champions League aspirations are now out of their hands, with only one win in their last six matches stalling their surge at the worst possible time.
Chris Wood’s 20th goal of the season and Morgan Gibbs-White’s earlier strike had twice put the hosts in front, but defensive lapses and tired legs saw them undone.
“Football is emotions,” Nuno said afterwards. “It was in our hands, it’s no longer in our hands… but the season’s not finished.”
Forest face a nervy wait, needing slip-ups from rivals to climb into the top five. A final-day clash with Chelsea may decide whether their European return is historic – or bittersweet.
