Disputed winner adds to misery for goal-shy Forest

ANGE Postecoglou was left a crumpled heap on the deck at one point as Nottingham Forest fell to defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland.

- By SARAH CLAPSON

By the end of it all, floored was exactly how the Reds felt as their winless run stretched on.

Boos rang out at the City Ground at halftime and at full-time - although some may have been aimed in the direction of the match officials following the visitors' controversial winner.

There is no doubt Postecoglou still has work to do to win over plenty of Forest faithfuls and to turn his team's form around, though.

It has been a difficult start to life in the hot seat for the Reds head coach. He is yet to register a victory after five attempts and has lost three of his games in charge. After a frustrating evening, optimism and encouragement were in relatively short supply Trentside on Saturday.

Below are some of the big talking points from Forest's 1-0 loss to the Black Cats.

Disputed winner

As soon as Sunderland were awarded a controversial free-kick late in the first half, a voice in the crowd piped up. "Assist for the referee, if this goes in," one fan yelled.

It did. And the Reds were fuming. They were convinced Omar Alderete should never have had the opportunity to put the ball past Matz Sels in the first place.

Nicolas Dominguez argued he was fouled by Trai Hume in a 50-50 challenge. Instead, the Argentine was booked for simulation and the Black Cats were awarded a free-kick.

"I can't quite get my head around it," ex-Red Andy Reid said on Sky Sports. "I think it is an absolutely bizarre decision.

"I just think it's nothing. I'm not seeing that (a booking for simulation) at all. I think it's a really, really poor decision."