Burnley 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Postecoglou still winless as relegation battle heats up

Burnley 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Postecoglou still winless as relegation battle heats up

It was another frustrating night for Ange Postecoglou — and another reminder that survival in the Premier League isn’t won with good performances, but with results. On Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Turf Moor, Burnley and Nottingham Forest played out a 1-1 draw that left both teams clinging to the edge of the relegation zone. For Postecoglou, it was his third match in charge, and still no win. Not even a clean sheet. Not even a moment of real celebration. Just the same hollow feeling that’s followed him since he took over from Nuno Espírito Santo on September 3, 2025.

Early Fireworks and an Own Goal That Changed Everything

But Burnley didn’t panic. Not even for a second. Within 20 minutes, they had their equalizer. Jaidon Anthony, the 24-year-old Jamaican-born forward, tried a weak, curling shot from the edge of the box. It wasn’t threatening — until Oleksandr Zinchenko, Forest’s new midfield anchor, panicked and tried to clear it. His touch sent the ball looping over his own keeper, Matz Sels, and into the net. 1-1. The home crowd erupted. Zinchenko buried his face in his hands. It was the kind of goal you win with — and the kind you lose sleep over.

Close Calls and Missed Opportunities

Burnley came close to taking the lead before halftime. Loum Tchaouna, the 23-year-old French striker, unleashed a thunderous 25-yard free-kick in the 38th minute. It struck the post with such force it echoed across Lancashire. The ball ricocheted back into play, and Forest cleared. No goal. No reprieve.

The second half was more cagey. Anthony nearly put Burnley ahead again in the 48th minute, but Matz Sels, the 32-year-old Belgian goalkeeper, reacted with a sharp dive to his left. Forest’s best chance came in stoppage time, when Morgan Gibbs-White — 24, England international, and the club’s most technically gifted player — tried to force a winner. His shot? Weak. Predictable. Easily saved by Martin Dúbravka, Burnley’s 35-year-old Czech shot-stopper, who has become the backbone of their defense this season.

Postecoglou’s Quiet Dilemma

Postecoglou, the former Celtic and Tottenham boss, has been praised for his attacking philosophy. But in the Premier League, philosophy doesn’t pay the bills. It’s points that keep you up. And after three matches — two losses, one draw — he’s still searching for his first win. His side lost 2-1 to Swansea City in the Carabao Cup on September 17, and were beaten 4-0 by Arsenal in the league before this match. The pattern is clear: they create chances. They just don’t finish them. And when they do, they give them right back.

"We’re building something," Postecoglou said after the match, his voice calm but weary. "The players are buying in. The movement is better. The pressing is sharper. But we’re still not turning those moments into wins. That’s on me."

It’s a familiar story for managers in the Premier League’s bottom half. You can have the best ideas, the best training sessions, the best tactical setups — but if you can’t win the 1-0s and 2-1s against teams fighting for survival, you’re not going to survive yourself.

The Relegation Battle Gets Messier

Before this match, Burnley had gone three games without a win. Now, they’re on four. They sit 16th with 4 points from 6 games — one point behind Forest. Nottingham Forest, despite the draw, climbed to 14th with 5 points. That’s not safety. Not even close. But it’s a sliver of hope.

Both teams are now in a three-way tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace for the bottom six. Every point matters. Every draw feels like a loss. And with just 32 games left in the season, the margin for error is paper-thin.

What’s Next? A Crucial Week Ahead

Forest travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025, to face Crystal Palace. A win there could lift them out of the relegation zone — for now. Burnley, meanwhile, host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium on Sunday, September 28, 2025. A win for either side could change the entire dynamic of the relegation fight.

For Postecoglou, it’s not just about tactics anymore. It’s about belief. His players need to believe they can win. His fans need to believe he can deliver. And the Premier League? It doesn’t care how good your ideas are — only how many points you collect.