Cameron Burgess' glancing header was cleared off the line.Cameron Burgess' glancing header was cleared off the line. (Image: PA)
SET-PIECE BATTLE
Forest came into this game off the back of successive losses to Newcastle and Arsenal, knowing there were trips to Man City and Man United were on the horizon. There was a feeling among their fans that they had to beat Ipswich. The pressure was on.
Boosted by the return of England international Morgan Gibbs-White and £35m buy Elliott Anderson from injury, the hosts burst out of the blocks. Gibbs-White planted a header wide from an early corner, while Sammie Szmodics cleared a Ryan Yates shot off/near the line.
Ipswich weathered the storm and, while they weren't able to secure any sort of control in a game of duels, they did consistently ask questions on the counter. Omari Hutchinson, in particular, was a threat on the right.
One Leif Davis corner flashed inches past the head of Dara O'Shea. Another was met by the glancing head of Cameron Burgess, with Ola Aina hacking off the line from his position on the post.
The familiar site of Conor Chaplin sitting down for some 'treatment' midway through the first half allowed Kieran McKenna to get some instructions to his players. Moments later, Hutchinson's low shot was pushed back into danger by keeper Matz Sels and rolled invitingly out towards Chaplin. Unfortunately, Liam Delap, unaware of what was behind him, took the ball off his team-mates toes and a rare open play opportunity was lost.
When the half-time whistle blew, the game was finely poised. Defences were on top. The first goal felt key. It seemed most likely to come from a set-piece.
Jota Silva goes down to win Nottingham Forest's decisive penalty.Jota Silva goes down to win Nottingham Forest's decisive penalty. (Image: Ross Halls)
PAYING THE PENALTY
The decisive moment in this game came just two minutes after the restart.
Does Jota Silva dive when winning the penalty? Undoubtedly. He collapses his untouched right leg and theatrically arches his back when going to ground. Burgess claims he also let out a 'squeal' for extra effect.
But, as McKenna rightly says, Town have to own their part in this goal. The attack was launched after a loose pass from Chaplin. And Szmodics really doesn't need to be lunging in and giving the referee a decision to make either.
Ultimately, I think he does make *some* contact with the winger's left ankle. Ipswich have been on the end of some officiating injustices this season. As unpalatable as Jota's actions were, I don't see this as a major injustice.
Chris Wood smashed his spot-kick high and down the middle for a ninth Premier League goal of the season. Town now had the task of trying to break down a team with one of the best defensive records in the division.
Nathan Broadhead stepped off the bench for his first appearance of the season.Nathan Broadhead stepped off the bench for his first appearance of the season. (Image: Ross Halls)
HUFF AND PUFF
Things got increasingly scruffy. A series of substitutions added to the stop-start feel.
As the game entered the final five minutes, you could feel the nerves in the air. Forest got deeper and deeper, Town had hosts penned in, for a spell Burgess just stayed up front. Nothing came of it though.
Credit to Forest. They were organised and strong. Ipswich did huff and puff a bit in their attempts to break them down though. The ball wasn't moved quick enough.
Jack Clarke was brought on to be the man to unpick the lock with his dribbling. He gave the ball away too often though. Liam Delap was well shackled throughout.
In summary, Town weren't clinical enough in an even first half, gave away a soft penalty early in the second half and then didn't have enough ideas to break down stubborn opposition.
You could argue the Blues didn't deserve to lose. They certainly didn't do anywhere near enough to win either.
Aro Muric produced a breath-taking save.Aro Muric produced a breath-taking save. (Image: Ross Halls)
SOME POSITIVES
West Ham away was the reference point going into this one. Town lost that game 4-1 back in early October after proving their own worst enemy.
On that basis, although the result was the same, this was an improvement in a like-for-like game. Town were more competitive in a physical encounter. They dealt with target man Wood much better than they did Michail Antonio. The errors were reduced. That's a small step forwards.
Aro Muric, after a difficult start to life with Town, is starting to settle. The moment when he tipped Murillo's header onto the underside of the bar and, as he was falling, pushed away the ball was breath-taking. He also made a smart stop with his legs in the first half and confidently plucked high balls from the sky.
Since leaking four at Brentford, only four have been conceded in the last four - and just two of them came from open play.
Sam Morsy successfully navigated a seventh game on his four-booking disciplinary tightrope. There were a couple of times he teetered on the edge though.
We also got to see the fit-again Nathan Broadhead for the first time this season too. The Welshman had some sharp moments when he stepped off the bench.
Ipswich Town now take on Crystal Palace, at Portman Road, on Tuesday night.Ipswich Town now take on Crystal Palace, at Portman Road, on Tuesday night. (Image: PA)
CRUNCH CLASH
That's more than a third of the season played. The mini leagues within the Premier League are taking shape.
I can't see anyone from Manchester United and above getting dragged into danger.
That leaves seven teams - West Ham, Everton, Leicester, Crystal Palace, Wolves, Ipswich and Southampton - fighting to finish above the water line.
The good thing is, there's not a lot of time to have to stew on this latest set-back. For the first time since April we have ourselves a midweek evening game at Portman Road to look forward to.
It's a big one too. Palace are on the same points. Town are probably going to need to win at least seven of their remaining 25 games. This is one of only four home games left against the bottom seven. There's no getting away from it, this is a six-pointer.