Nottingham Forest

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Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi sustained an abdominal injury clattering into a post during the 2-2 draw against Leicester City on Sunday, and BBC Radio Nottingham has confirmed reports that he had surgery on Monday.

Awoniyi came on as a substitute for the Reds and stayed on the field for the final few minutes while clearly struggling with his injury.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed frustration over the forward not being substituted, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo saying the Nigeria international was left on because of a misunderstanding between the coaching and medical departments.

Earlier this season, Awoniyi broke his nose in an FA Cup tie against Exeter in February and then sustained a hamstring injury in April.

Sunday's draw meant seventh-placed Forest secured a place in Europe next season, although they are now one point behind a qualification spot for the Champions League.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club discussed Evangelos Marinakis' public outburst on the pitch following Nottingham Forest's draw against Leicester on Sunday.

Marinakis and boss Nuno Espirito Santo said afterwards that the frustration surrounded an incident involving striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who was not substituted despite appearing to be injured.

It has since been reported that Awoniyi had surgery on Monday for a serious abdominal injury.

In a discussion about club owners, former Premier League forward Theo Walcott said whilst having "passion" is crucial, keeping business "behind closed doors" is just as important.

Fellow former striker Chris Sutton added: "I actually don't mind what he did. I understand what Theo is saying but there are a lot of owners who don't really care about their clubs and all they are worried about is money.

"I think there was a real overreaction in the way that people viewed this. It wasn't because of anything tactical, it was because of a misunderstanding between the medical team, Awoniyi and Nuno."

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discuss football club ownership.

It was a part of a discussion stemming from Evangelos Marinakis entering the pitch after Nottingham Forest's draw against Leicester on Sunday.

The Observer's Rory Smith said: "I think it's really unhealthy for football if owners turn themselves into the central characters.

"Clubs are social institutions and they belong ultimately and spiritually to the fans, and the players, managers and owners are passing through.

"This is not a sport that is defined by owners. They should not be the central characters and we should not be building them up to be the central characters."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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Nottingham Forest podcaster Rich Ferraro speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about the Evangelos Marinakis outburst after Sunday's draw with Leicester: "The thing we have been very impressed about with Nuno this season is he has got a cool head in difficult situations. I think this is a bit of a non-story to be honest.

"I think a lot of the response has focused on what is potentially a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation. People on TV saw it better than those in the ground. If you watch the clip, Marinakis is coming onto the pitch and Nuno intercepts him so then - as Nuno is the closest person and Marinakis is - as Nuno put it emotional, it looked like Marinakis is having a go at the gaffer. I don't necessarily think that was the case."

On the dip in form and slip to seventh in the table: "It is frustrating but we knew we were overachieving. I don't think the table lies after 36 games but Forest are in Europe. Five years ago we wanted a point to get into the play-offs and we didn't manage that. So you know what, I'll take this."

Listen to more from 18:45 here

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We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis' outburst at manager Nuno Espirito Santo at full-time against Leicester City.

Here are some of your comments:

John: Out of order. Manager has done a brilliant job this season and should be congratulated for that.

Dave: Unnecessary and 'knee jerk' from the owner. Think he showed his true colours really and volatility. Embarrassing for Nuno who was so diplomatic and professional as usual in his response. Need to draw a line and move on if that's possible.

Derek: I'd go as far as to say he is a disgrace. If I was Nuno, I'd leave people like this. Need teaching a lesson and there are clubs queuing up that would take him. That was disgraceful and nothing less than a public apology to the world's cameras would be enough.

Tino: As someone with Mediterranean heritage, you should know that Marinakis was simply acting in a manner consistent with how we generally deal with situations with high emotion. Rant, rave, wave our arms and get it all out there immediately. Then, resolve, move on and get on with it. None of this is a surprise to Nuno who is also of similar heritage.

Ian: There are many great things about having a passionate owner, but there is also a worrying amount of time Marinakis is a double-edged sword! He's made us a team competing for Europe, but he's also made us a joke several times. It's very uncomfortable watching him act like a man-child, and it's embarrassing. But I'll take it over [former owner] Fawaz Al-Hasawi any day.

Doug: Good on the owner for showing his major disappointment at the result. Like the fans, he expected more on the day, but inept defending and poor communication cost us another two points that were there for the taking.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy spoke on Match of the Day 2 about Evangelos Marinakis confronting boss Nuno Espirito Santo after Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Leicester:

"It's not great but lets put it into perspective: it's in injury time and they are drawing 2-2.

"He's [Marinakis] disappointed and it's not ideal him coming on but they've just got in to Europe.

"They are guaranteed some kind of European football, which is a remarkable achievement and he [Nuno] has done a tremendous job.

"The fans have had a season way above expectation - [reaching] the semi-final of the FA Cup - so I think it would be remiss to dwell on some small interaction

Former Southampton manager Russell Martin was struck by Nuno's diplomatic dealings with the media afterwards in discussing the incident:

"I think it's an impressive reaction to both the result and what's gone on after with the owner of the football club.

"I don't think he could have handled it any better and you've got to give an awful lot of credit to Nuno for that and job he has done this season.

"The level of disappointment at that club today shows how far they've come this season.

"To be that disappointed [after you have] qualified for Europe [and with] the season they have had shows a tremendous amount of improvement."

How do you feel about Marinakis' reaction? Tell us here

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

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Nottingham Forest's owner Evangelos Marinakis confronting Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch "gives us a little window into what it is like to manage at Forest," says The Telegraph's Luke Edwards.

Marinakis delivered what appeared to be the most public of dressings down to his manager after Forest missed the opportunity to move into the Champions League positions with a 2-2 draw against rivals Leicester.

"It is not great," said Edwards on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "I thought Nuno handled it incredibly well, and diplomatically, but I think it gives us a little window into what it is like to manage at Nottingham Forest.

"It has been a wonderful season for them and then you have the owner coming onto the pitch and remonstrating publicly with the manager. It is just not a great look.

"If he is doing that in public, then you wonder what he is doing in private?

"Nuno said that he is an emotional guy - and we know that too - but you just do not do it. It belittles the manager if you do that in front of the supporters. But it was a masterclass in diplomacy from Nuno in his post-match interviews. He just didn't nibble on it at all."

Facundo Buonanotte's late equaliser robbed Forest of the chance to move into the top five with two games to go and, although European football has been secured for next season, it is not yet certain which competition.

Edwards says Nuno's achievements this season must not be overshadowed.

"The owner should not be losing sight of the achievements this season and how many would have had them down in a relegation battle," he said. "For them to be where they are is remarkable. You don't go on to the pitch no matter how frustrated or emotional you may be.

"We are now not talking about Forest's achievements, but instead the behaviour of their owner.

"A window - perhaps - into the mad house behind the scenes."

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Leicester.

Here are some of your comments:

Raymond: So frustrating today! But as long as we can maintain the belief we can win both the games that's left. I again reiterate Ryan Yates brings no new dynamic when he either plays or comes on. He is average at best and has limited technical ability. He's also slow and not creative enough. I believe the club is being loyal by keeping him in the first-team squad. We need to replace him next season with a more skilful and holding midfielder.

Iain: Over the course of 90 minutes, I'd say Forest deserved more out of it, but Leicester took advantage when they got the chance. We are guaranteed European football, we have a 20-goal striker, and this is year three. After two years of dodging the drop, there's plenty to celebrate.

Gary: Not brave enough to grasp the opportunity to get into the top five. Negative tactics has cost us the chance of Champions League and FA Cup success. 'Seize the day' is the saying, and we haven't. Mid-table next year with thoughts of what could have been.

Darren: Over the course of the 38 games, Forest will finish in the top seven, which was unthinkable this time last season. It's been a tremendous season and no amount of clickbait 'bottlers' headlines will change that. Forest running out of steam is completely understandable and nothing to be ashamed of, the future looks very bright! Bye bye Leicester.

Bogey: Still in our hands. Probably us or Chelsea but the way this season has gone and the passion our players have (and owner and manager, which is scarce these days). After today. I'd back us.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Southampton 0-0 Man City

• Bournemouth 0-1 Aston Villa

• Manchester United 0-2 West Ham

• Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leicester

• Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

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Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-2 draw with Leicester: "Of course, it was a day that we put a lot of energy in to achieve the win. It's frustrating when you don't do it. It was our game to get.

"Easy to say, we need to be solid especially when we were controlling the game and being dominant. The goal was avoidable, we should have done much better. That's the frustration we have.

"No matter what happened to Leicester, they have quality players and showed that today to make it hard to beat them."

"Honestly, I think we should have won this game today. It's a bad day today."

On Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis coming onto the pitch at full-time: "Football is emotions. Today there were more than 30,000 people in the ground with their own emotions. It was a tough moment, after the situation with [Taiwo Awoniyi] we had one man less after a misunderstanding.

"It's difficult to control emotions when we had so much expectation on a day like this."

Is Awoniyi's injury situation the reason he came onto the pitch? "Yes, it was because of that. It was a misunderstanding, a miscommunication. I'm sorry, I cannot go much further.

"It's based on emotions, you cannot make a big deal out of it. It happens and it will happen again. With the emotions today, it's understandable."

On fight for Champions League places: "We now have to react. We have two games left, it's no longer in our hands but we have to find solutions for the team for those games."

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Chris Wood recorded his 100th Premier League goal involvement (89 goals, 11 assists), while becoming just the second player to reach 20 goals for Nottingham Forest in a Premier League campaign, after Stan Collymore in 1994-95 (22).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

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Five matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Newcastle v Chelsea (12:00)

• Manchester United v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Leicester City - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Crystal Palace - live on the BBC Sport website

• Liverpool v Arsenal (16:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 14:15 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

I am at this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and it is a must-win for Nottingham Forest in the top-five race.

The pressure is off Leicester because they are already down and they are probably still smiling after getting a rare win over Southampton last time out, when Jamie Vardy scored his 199th goal for the Foxes.

I bet Vardy would dearly love to get goal number 200 against Forest's rivals before he leaves the club in the summer, and this game does have a whiff of being one where he has a say in keeping Forest out of the Champions League places

Still, if both teams play anything like they have done all season then this is a Forest win, easily.

Chris Wood scored twice in a 3-1 win at the King Power in October and although his goals have dried up a bit, I can see him getting back on the scoresheet here.

The result is really all that matters for Forest, because they need to get to the last game of the season in touch with Chelsea before they meet in what might turn out to be a Champions League play-off.

Forest are playing catch-up at the moment but, with West Ham up next after this, I still think they have a very good chance of making it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Saveena Johal
Fan writer

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With the race for Champions League football reaching the final few hurdles, we asked our fan contributors of five clubs involved to let us know if their team will make the top five and if not, what happens next...

Nottingham Forest are going to make the top five because…

Despite the recent drop in form, we have shown we can take points consistently throughout this season.

The run-in for us is, on paper, more favourable than that of our nearest competitors. We play Chelsea in the final game - they also play Newcastle - and the Magpies have a tough match against Arsenal, so they will likely drop points.

Injuries have impacted our recent run and there are signs of fatigue at this stage of the campaign, but qualification for Champions League football remains in our hands. Win our games and we will hear that famous anthem played at The City Ground next season, whatever our competitors do.

But if they don't qualify, it will mean…

We hopefully will still see European football at The City Ground next season.

This would still represent the best campaign of football the city of Nottingham has seen for 30 years. The club would be back with the European greats, helping us keep and attract top-class players and push on to greater heights in the coming seasons.

After the most competitive Premier League for a while, we can be proud of the consistency the team has shown, and the fans would look back on a season where we beat Liverpool at Anfield, Manchester United at Old Trafford and at home, Manchester City at The City Ground - making countless memories and enjoying away days as well as another trip to Wembley (despite the result).

There would be lots to remember and build upon, even if we do not get to the Champions League. The team and fans have been an inspiration this season and that bodes well for the coming years for Forest fans.

Find more from Saveena Johal at Punjabi Forest, external

Here is what the other four contenders' fans thought about the race for Champions League football...

Man City will make the top five because "simply, we are one of the best teams in the country"

Newcastle will make the top five because "we have the number one striker in world football"

Chelsea will make the top five because of "belief generated" by win over Liverpool

Aston Villa will make the top five because "we know exactly what we need to do"