'Absolute howler' - Ange Postecoglou fumes as Nottingham Forest defeat against Sunderland leaves boss still waiting for first win

Forest were left fuming when referee Tony Harrington booked midfielder Nico Dominguez for simulation following a coming together with Sunderland’s Trai Hume. And from the resulting free-kick, defender Omar Alderete was able to steal a march on the Forest backline before heading home what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

However, while criticising a "whole range of decisions" from the officials, Postecoglou was adamant that his Forest players should have defended the set piece better, saying after the game: "It was a really poor goal we conceded, albeit after a poor decision, I thought, from the official. But it was a really poor goal and we had plenty of time to rectify that.

"It was a whole range of decisions from the officials, from awarding and then some holding in the box. But I still think we were way too lax in our determination to keep the ball out of the net. I just thought it was a really disappointing goal to concede."

When asked whether he thought Dominguez had dived when challenging Hume for the ball, Postecoglou added: "I just thought play on, play on. But that's the referee's decision. There's nothing to say to him (Dominguez). I didn't think there was anything in it. Irrespective, even if the referee has made an absolute howler, we can still deal with the free kick better. We have to park that to one side. What we did after that is more of a concern to me than the decision."

The result means Postecoglou is now winless in his first five games since taking over the Forest helm on September 9. The former Tottenham head coach oversaw back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Swansea City in the Premier League and Carabao Cup respectively, before a 1-1 league draw with Burnley ensured Forest picked up their first point under his tutelage. Forest also drew 2-2 with Real Betis in their Europa League opener on Thursday, before suffering defeat against Sunderland in what was Postecoglou’s first home match as manager.

Forest currently lie 16th in the Premier League table following a difficult start to the 2025-26 campaign. On the back of a summer which saw former manager Nuno fall out with owner Evangelos Marinakis and sporting director Edu before being dismissed, Forest’s opening-day league win over Brentford remains their only victory in all competitions so far this term. Two goals from Chris Wood and a strike from summer signing Dan Ndoye helped Forest clinch a crucial three points on the day.

Postecoglou will be hoping to grab that elusive first victory in charge when Forest entertain Danish outfit Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday. The match will see Forest play host to a European match for the first time since the 1995-96 season, having secured a dream return to European football following last season’s seventh-place finish in the league. Forest will then travel to Newcastle in the league next Sunday, before the international break commences.