Late injury-time Lyle Taylor gives Nottingham Forest win over Coventry

Lyle Taylor slots home a penalty in the 97th minute as Forest beat Coventry City 2-1. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Neither side came into this game in form. Each team could boast only one win from their previous six games, yet Coventry could at least take hope from their last outing: a win against league leaders Reading. Forest were looking to do something that they hadn’t done since June – go into half-time with a lead at home.

The thinking was that should the Reds manage to get their noses in front, things might click into place. This theory was tested when Scott McKenna gave Forest the lead in the 30th minute as he pounced in the area to steer a shot home. A first Forest goal for the defender and the first time Forest have scored first at home this season.

Surely this would precipitate a different Forest, a more confident Forest. After all, they spent the first half pressing high up the pitch and forcing Coventry onto the back foot. Although they created few clear chances, this was a much-improved performance.

But it didn’t last as Coventry looked by far the more dangerous team in the second half. Maxime Biamou was unlucky to see his shot rebound off the inside of the post five minutes after the restart and five minutes later, the Sky Blues were deservedly level after an impressive finish by Callum O’Hare from a sumptuous Sam McCallum cross.

The home side failed to react and in truth, deteriorated to the extent that it was like watching a drunken uncle nod off in his chair, snoring and drooling down his cardigan as the second half mostly consisted of Brice Samba denying Coventry a deserved winner.

And then something rather odd happened. Lyle Taylor scampered clear on goal in the 96th minute. He was shoved over and a penalty was awarded. In the blink of an eye, everything changed. He dusted himself down and casually slotted home from the spot with the very last kick of the game.

If taking the lead at home before half time isn’t a turning point, then perhaps scoring with the last kick of the game to claim a barely deserved win just might be.

Forest: B Samba, C Christie, T Figuerido, S McKenna, Y Ribeiro, S Sow (R Yates), J Colback, A Knockaert (M Guerrero), L Freeman (S Ameobi), J Lolley, L Taylor

Coventry: M Marosi, S McCallum, M Rose, K McFadzean, L Ostigard, R Giles (J Da Costa), G Hamer, B Sheaf, C O’Hare, M Godden (T Walker), M Biamou

Goals. Forest: S Mckenna (30) L Taylor (90+7). Coventry: C O’Hare (57)