AMSTERDAM – Nottingham Forest right back Eric Lichaj punctuated a sterling performance with the late opener on Tuesday night, but the struggling Reds eventually conceded near time to settle for a 1-1 Championship draw with rude guests Burnley.
The Illinois native logged six clearances, five tackles – all of which occurred in or near the gate to the Forest area – and a pair of cross blocks. Lichaj also pitched in with a dozen positive passes in or into the attacking half, but saved his best for 17 minutes from time.
Lichaj capped a persistent move by picking the low corner with his left foot from just beyond the area for his first goal since scoring for Aston Villa against Chelsea three-and-a-half years ago. However, Forest would drop to 10 men a moment later, setting the stage for Burnley's Matt Taylor to equalize with a wonder-strike in stoppage time. The result kept 15th-placed Forest winless in five.
Around the horn, Danny Williams and third-placed Reading were also unable to hold a slim lead in their 1-1 share at Rotherham.
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The midfielder put in a strong full shift that included several penetrating dribbles up the gut and no less than 11 positive passes in or into the final attacking third. Williams also chipped in at the defensive end with two pass interceptions, two area clearances and a big cross smother near the Royals six-yard box. Though Reading bid farewell to a four-game win streak in league play, they remained unbeaten in five.
Jonathan Spector hopped off the bench with 17 minutes left to work central midfield, helping red-hot Birmingham City edge a 1-0 win at Bolton.
The US international did plenty of possession work to drain the clock, completing 10 of 13 passes with five positive link-ups in the Bolton end. Thanks to their fourth win in a row, the Blues retained both second place and a four-point deficit to leaders Brighton Hove & Albion.
Meanwhile, Duane Holmes made the bench for the first time this season but did not appear as Huddersfield Town racked up a 2-0 home victory against MK Dons. With just one defeat in their last six, the Terriers have suddenly risen to 13th place.
